aN ACT authorizing cities to employ and allow civilian personnel to investigate traffic crashes involving only property damage.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 21 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 160A‑499.6.  Civilian Traffic Investigators.

(a)        A city may employ and allow civilian personnel to investigate traffic crashes. The civilian personnel shall be known as Civilian Traffic Investigators (hereinafter Investigator or Investigators). The employment or use of Investigators, either full‑ or part‑time, shall not supplant or replace any of the city's existing sworn law enforcement officer personnel or otherwise reduce the number of sworn law enforcement officers employed by a city.

(b)        All of the following shall apply to Investigators authorized in subsection (a) of this section:

(1)        The city shall establish the minimum standards for employment as an Investigator.

(2)        Each Investigator shall attend a training program designed by the chief of police, or the chief's designee, or, if applicable, the sheriff of the county with which the city has contracted to provide law enforcement services, or the sheriff's designee, in consultation with the North Carolina Justice Academy. Upon completion of the training program, each Investigator shall spend not less than four weeks of field training with a law enforcement officer who has experience conducting traffic crash investigations.

(3)        Each Investigator shall be issued credentials by the city identifying the individual as a Civilian Traffic Investigator. The Investigator shall produce official credentials at any time when requested by a member of the public involved in or a witness to a crash.

(4)        Investigators shall be issued a uniform that is substantially different in color and style from that of a law enforcement officer for the city. The uniform shall have patches that clearly identify the individual as an Investigator, and the individual's name shall be clearly displayed on the uniform. Investigators shall not be issued badges.

(5)        Any vehicles issued to, or used by, an Investigator shall not bear markings or symbols that identify the vehicle as a police vehicle. The vehicle may have emergency equipment and lights installed but shall not use blue lights in any manner or form. Red and amber lights are permissible.

(6)        Investigators shall not be issued a weapon of any type.

(7)        Investigators shall have no authority to arrest or issue criminal process.

(8)        Investigators shall investigate crashes involving only property damage. Investigators shall comply with all provisions of G.S. 20‑166.1. A report completed by an Investigator shall be treated the same as if it were completed by a law enforcement officer for purposes of G.S. 20‑166.1(i). A law enforcement officer shall investigate any crash involving personal injury or a fatality.

(9)        Investigators shall have the same authority as a law enforcement officer to tow or remove a vehicle that is obstructing a public street or highway.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.