WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC COLLISION:

1. STOP at the scene.
2. Check for injuries.  If anyone is injured, call 911.
3. If no one is injured and the vehicles are driveable, move them out of traffic to the side of the road or into a parking lot.
4. Exchange information with the other driver(s):  name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number and state, name of insurance company, vehicle license plate number and state, make, model, and color of their vehicle, etc.
5. Get witness and passenger information if possible (names, addresses, phone numbers).

Once you have done all of the above, you are free to leave the scene. Within 24 hours of the collision, contact your insurance company.

If anyone has been injured in the collision, or if it turns out that there appears to be more than $700 damage to any one vehicle, you should wait for an officer to arrive and take a police collision report.  If damage is found to be more than $700 dollars to one vehicle, or an injury is found, including to one’s self the driver is required to complete a Washington State Collision report form.  These forms can be obtained by any law enforcement agency, Department of Motor Vehicles, or the following Washington State link.  Click here: DMV Collision Report Form , to bring up the PDF form to download and complete for the State of Washington DMV. Law inforcement is unable to investigate collisions that they did not respond to.

If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run collision, try to remember and quickly write down the make and color of the other vehicle, anything about the other vehicle's license plate, any characteristic of the other driver (sex, race, age, hair color, clothing, etc.), and any other details about the collision and call the police immediately.

TRAFFIC OFFICER SAFETY
Most citizens already realize that law enforcement is a difficult and dangerous profession. Hundreds of police officers are killed each year, and thousands more are injured and assaulted. For these reasons, police officers tend to be extremely cautious. They place a great deal of emphasis on officer safety and survival. Certain safety practices are instilled in our officers from the first day of their careers. Although the procedures maximize safety for the officer, they may seem standoffish, impolite or offensive to citizens who may not consider such precautions necessary with “them”.
Even though you have no intention of doing the officer harm, he/she will probably maintain a defensive posture until the officer feels that there is no risk of confrontation or injury. As far as police officers are concerned, there is no such thing as a “routine” traffic stop. Each stop has the potential for danger.

IN ALL POLICE ENCOUNTERS
There are times when citizens who have contact with the police come away with feelings of frustration. The Fife Police Department does not condone police misconduct of any type. In our experience, we have learned that many of those negative feelings are often a result of not knowing the reason(s) an officer has made certain requests or acted in a certain manner. Unfortunately, demands on a patrol officer do not always permit time for explanations at the time you are stopped. Hopefully, the information presented here will give you and understanding of police procedures and let you know what to expect from a police officer if you are stopped.

Questions/Compliments/Complaints
If you have a question about procedures or a complaint about your treatment, contact the Fife Police Department and ask to speak with a supervisor. You may also send a letter of compliment if you feel the officer was particularly helpful in your situation.
Chief Blackburn – (253)896-8251
Dispatch Non-Emergency – (253)922-6633 Ext #1

FIFE POLICE DEPARTMENT
3737 PACIFIC HWY E
FIFE, WA 98424
(253)922-6633 EXT 1