Civilian Traffic Investigators legislation passed

On Wednesday, Jun 14, the NC House passed HB 140 - Civilian Traffic Investigators - by a vote of 100 to six. Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford, Majority Whip) is a lead sponsor of the bill. The legislation is now heading to Governor Roy Cooper, who is expected to sign it into law. HB 140, which was requested by the NC Association of Chiefs of Police, would allow local police departments to hire and train non-sworn, civilian traffic investigators to write reports on traffic incidents that only involve property damage. The purpose is to allow law enforcement agencies to direct resources to more serious crimes (e.g., assault, robbery, etc.) while allowing non-sworn personnel to investigate low-level traffic incidents. Under the bill, local police departments would be required to follow these guidelines in setting up the program: • Hire non-sworn civilian traffic investigators (CTIs) and require them to train for four weeks under an experienced law enforcement official.

• CTIs may only investigate traffic incidents that only involve property damage. Incidents involving serious injury, death, or suspected criminal misconduct would require involvement from sworn law enforcement.

• CTIs would be issued uniforms and markings on vehicles that are distinctly different from sworn police officers. Vehicles may use red flashing lights, not blue lights.

• CTIs may write reports but may not carry weapons. They must call law enforcement if they discover any form of potential criminal misconduct (e.g., discovery of contraband).

• CTIs would be authorized to tow vehicles and their reports would be admissible in court.

In addition, under the bill, the NC Justice Academy would be required to establish minimum training standards for CTIs across the State.

There are currently two municipalities in North Carolina that have the authority to operate a CTI program -- Fayetteville and Wilmington. These two cit- ies were granted authority in 2007, and the program appears to be working well in those jurisdictions.

“This bill will support law enforcements agencies by allowing them to direct resources to more serious crime,” Hardister said. “At a time when law enforcement agencies are facing staffing shortages, it is important that we provide flexibility in how they operate. This is another tool that police chiefs can have in their toolbox to direct resources to where they are most needed.”

Fred Baggett, legislative council for the NC Association of Chiefs of Police, was quoted in the Carolina Journal as saying, “Authorizing all cities to have the option of using civilian traffic crash investigators will benefit the public by allowing sworn police officers to respond to higher-priority calls faster and help insure that when someone calls the police, a police officer is available instead of being tied up for 1-2 hours on a minor traffic accident.”