More than 1 officer at accident/crime scenes

[SAPD]

lets say there's a major accident/murder etc. scene, about 2 maybe 3 or more officers make the scene, who does what like who makes the actual report or do they all make one...I've always thought that the first one to arrive makes the report and the others just stand around and secure the scene, what are the extra officers for?

[acreature]

First one on scene, or whoever the Supervisor says to.

Extra officers for secene security, canvassing witnesses, etc etc

[SAPD]

First one on scene, or whoever the Supervisor says to.

Extra officers for secene security, canvassing witnesses, etc etc

so the extra officers don't have to write anything up, they just leave and go back on duty when it's over?

[JD45]

depending on the nature of the incident/crime the assisting officers can do follow-ups to the initial officer's report.

[acreature]

Its according to what kind of scene.

Generally the reporting Officer can take a short statement from the Officer, or the Officer can write a supplemental report. According to SOP.

[SAPD]

thnx for responses.

[ChesCopPodz]

Depends on the severity of the crash. The officer who takes it is either the officer who's beat it is in, or if they are busy, the beat partner, the next closest beat and so on. If it's minor, off to the side of the road, 1 officer. Most accidents require 2 of us. If it's at a big intersection or a more serious traffic hazard than the 2 officers can handle, as many that are needed go. if it's a fatality or close to one, the crash team comes out and actually does the report and the patrol units control traffic. If it's a crash team call we close down the entire road for about 4 hours because they take measurements of everything.

[oscarmitre]

Depending on what has happened the first officer on the scene is the Police Forward Commander and will run everything until the regular field supervisor comes along to take over and becomes the PFC. If an investigation is required then it will be handed over to the appropriate investigators. Serious fatal accident (eg hit run) will go to specialist traffic investigators while a murder will be handed over to detectives. That's how it works in my jurisdiction at least.

[mcsap]

Our jurisdiction is divided up into sectors. Each shift an officer is responsible for a certain sector regardlerss of whoi gets there first unless the sector car is tied up. The other units will assist with traffic, witness statements, securing evidence, etc. As a supervisor , I make sure what needs to get done gets done and send any un-needed officers back on the road.

If it is a serious crash or incident, we have Advanced Accident Investigators ( I am one) or a detective come out to handle.

[scootsmo]

If it is a homicide scene, we will have a lot more than three officers there. The one that was assigned by dispatch will be the paper car. Other officers on the scene will either have to guard the crime scene or canvas the area looking for witnesses and separating them. For homicide scenes we will also have an evidence technician show up as well as our crime lab, sergeants, and the watch commander. And I almost forgot that the detectives will be there too.

As far as accidents go, a car will be assigned by dispatch and if needed other cars to block off traffic. If it is a major accident with a death, we notify our Major Accident Investiating Unit. They come out and do the measurements and stuff like that.

[Seand442]

Guide we go by, You catch it, you clean it. Of course there are exceptions but this is it 99% of the time.

[Wombat311]

For accidents, the first unit on scene or the unit that got the job over the air does reports. Any other attending units assist the primary unit and just clear off when the time for paperwork comes. If it meets the criteria for the Major Collisin Investigation Unit, then they will come out and take over. They may require a statementt form first unit on scene and anyone who accompanied anyone to hospital (dying declarations, admissions, things like that).
For murders and other serious crimes, the detectives SHOULD get all the paperwork and we just send a statement to them later. Doesn't always work that way though.