Spotlight on the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit

The Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) was set up in 2012 to investigate serious and fatal collisions to the highest possible standard.

The SCIU attends collisions when a life has been lost or a victim has been left with life-threatening injuries.

Working alongside the Forensic Collision Reconstruction Unit, officers work hard to piece together what happened.

Sadly, the SCIU attends a large amount of fatal collisions, with officers dealing with more deaths than any other department in the force.

Last year 67 people lost their lives on the roads of Greater Manchester, and so far this year officers have investigated around 20 fatal collisions.

Losing a loved one in a collision is incredibly difficult to come to terms with. It is often completely unexpected, and nothing can prepare family members for the knock on the door.

A core part of the SCIU’s role is to piece together what happened in those final moments to provide some much-needed answers for the family.

Sergeant Andrew Page has worked at GMP for 14 years and joined the SCIU in 2016, having previously worked on Response.

Reflecting on his role within the SCIU, he said: “One of the most rewarding parts of the role is providing the answers for the families, and although we can’t bring their loved ones back, we can try to help them find closure by providing them with answers they so desperately need.

“We also deal with the most serious fail-to-stop collisions, locking up offenders and those who assist them.

“These investigations can be more complex, dealing with offenders who have disguised their crime and disposed of key evidence.

“Often these offenders show no remorse about the devastation they have caused.”

SCIU officers never know what the day will greet them with. Lives can be lost and changed on the roads at any time of the day or night, and there is often no rhyme or reason to it.

Sgt Page added: “There was one weekend a few years ago where I had to deliver four death messages in 36 hours.

“That was a particularly difficult weekend and one that has stayed with me to this day.”

Fatal collisions are dealt with in the same way as any other crime. The scene must be preserved and guarded to preserve evidence and allow officers to build a full picture of what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.

Road closures can cause temporary disruption, but it is vitally important that the scene – which is the scene of a potential unlawful killing – is not disturbed.

Working within the SCIU offers officers a varied role, from attending collisions and supporting families to carrying out investigations and undertaking proactive and preventative patrols to try to stop collisions from happening in the first place.

Chief Inspector Ronnie Neilson (pictured), who leads the team, said: “I am immensely proud of the work that the SCIU does. It’s an incredibly difficult job, but a vitally important one that helps families during the most difficult periods of their lives.

“We wish there was not a need for the SCIU, but sadly too many people are losing their lives on our roads –and this must change!

“Everybody has the right to get from A to B safely, and we are continually striving to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured in collisions.

“We recognise that creating safer roads doesn’t fall solely on the police. We all have a responsibility to keep people safe on the roads, and we work extremely closely with our partners on proactive operations, enforcement and education.”

To contact the SCIU, email XDept.SCIU@gmp.police.uk

The unit will soon be advertising for a substantive Detective Inspector. Anyone interested should contact CI Neilson at Ronald.Neilson@gmp. police.uk