Evening star., 1942-03-13
Abolition Urged
For Accident
Inquiry Unit
Report Proposes
Transfer of Functions
To Truffic Division

dent Investigation Unit be abolished
as an independent group and the
number of officers detailed to such
work be reduced from As to 80 and
assigned to the traffic division was
made in a report Of special COM
mittee of police officers. which was
released today by Commissioner
Young.
This was the supposedly confiden-
tial survey report about which some
reports have become public since
the document recently was sent to
the Commissioners Traffic Advisory
Council for its consideration and
comment.
The Commissioners have an
nounced they are postponing action
until the council concludes its study,
which 1t is, said will require about a
month.
The report by the special COM
mittee. consisting of Asst. Supt. Har-
vey G. Callahan, Inspector Milton
D. Smith and Capt. Oscar j. Letter.
man, declared the A. I. U. as now
constituted lis not completely salts
factory
Now Has Eight Cars.
The group recommended that
later, when the size of the Police
Department permits, the unit be re-
established, but on a squad basis.
The unit now has eight scout cars,
and the report recommends the
number be cut to three. In suggest
ing the reduction in both numbers
Of men and cars, the report empha-
sizes that all members Of the Police
Department should be responsible
for investigating accidents.
Another recommendation was that
the specially trained men devote
their work to serious accidents, and
those involving fatalities, and sug-
gests it Is a waste of effort to have
specialists take measurements, make
break tests and the like in minor
cases or those in which the guilty
party is permitted to forfeit COL
lateral.
Attached to the report was data
showing that the A. I. u, between
January ! and June 30, l94l, made
Investigations in 943 cases in which
property damage a case amounted
to less than $40 and in which there
were no personal injuries.
For this same period, the report
showed the unit investigated 1,542
accidents involving personal injury.
Six radio cars operated by the unit
In the first half of last year, an
swered 6,363 radio calls.
Four Specific Recommendations.
The four specific recommendation
made by the special committee are:
81. That the Accident Investiga-
ton Unit as presently constituted be
abolished, with the understanding
that 1t be re-establiShed on squad
basis, If and when personnel becomes
available.
1.-TWO, that there be three cars
assigned to the Traffic Division and
provided with Photographic and
brake e-testing equipment and other
necessary equipment for the investi-
cation of serious and fatal traffic
accidents. That the personnel to
man these cars be detailed to such
duties by the commanding officer
of the Traffic Division; that for the
purpose Of manning these cars there
be selected from among the person.
mel of the present Accident 1nvesti-
cation Unit the "a men most eX-
perienced as photographers and in
vestigators of accidents, and that
these men work regular tours of
duty under the command and direc-
ton of the commanding officer of
the Traffic Division; that six addi-
tional men be utilized as reiefs for
those regularly assigned to duty in
traffic cruisers.
Separate Reports Made.
Three, that the acting lieuten-
ant detective Bureau presently as
signed to the A. I. U. continue to be
utilized in the investigation and
preparation of cases arising out of
fatal traffic accidents before cor
oners' juries and courts, and when
not so occupied in other assignment
given him by the chief Of detectives.
-Four, that all other personnel
(records and equipment) now as
signed to the unit be retained in the
traffic division, but utilized and
available for other duties when not
assigned to traffic cruisers"
The three officers first made sepa-
rate reports, but those were con-
solidated into one unanimous report
carrying the recommendations and
nine specific findings.
Contending that the present or
eanization of the unit is not COM
pletely satisfactory, the report said
it should not be an independent
unit within the Traffic Division, but
that all personnel assigned thereto
should be under direct control and
supervision of officials of the divis-
ion "in the same manner and to the
same extent as the motorcycle
squad"
Another conclusion reached was
that the unit needs specially trained
personnel equipped with the neces-
sary brake testing devices, photo
graphic equipment and other para
phernalia for conducting investiga-
tions in fatal or serious accident
cases, but that investigation of
minor accidents, involving minor
property damage and no personal
injuries, "can be handled satisfac-
torily by the precincts"
Court Appearance Urged.
The officers also agreed that by
adopting a policy of dispatching the
nearest scout car to accidents;
making the individual patrolman
responsible for taking proper action
and calling the investigation unit
only to serious accidents, ''it will be
possible to release a number OF cars
and personnel for assignment to
other duties"
Persons legally charged following
accident investigations should be
required to appear in court and
stand trial Ito the end that revo-
cation of their permits may be rec
commanded upon conviction" the re-