aN ACT authorizing cities to employ and allow civilian personnel to investigate traffic crashes and issue citations for infractions.

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 and issue citations for infractions under Chapter 20 of the General Statutes related to the traffic crashes investigated. The civilian personnel shall be known as Civilian Traffic Investigators.

(b)        All of the following shall apply to Civilian Traffic Investigators:

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

(2)        Investigators shall have no authority to arrest or issue criminal process, except for citations authorized by subsection (a) of this section.

(3)        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).

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