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SOUTHEAST OAKLAND COUNTY CRASH INVESTIGATION TEAM
2015 Annual Report
Chief Doreen Olko Chief Geof Gaudard Chief Gary Mayer
Director David Hendrickson
Index
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Contents Southeast Oakland County Crash Investigation Team ....................................................... 3
Team Objectives ................................................................................................................. 3
Overtime Trend by Member Agency .................................................................................. 4
Personnel Movement .......................................................................................................... 5
SOCCIT In-Service Training Sessions: .............................................................................. 6
Special Response Truck ...................................................................................................... 7
Specialization ...................................................................................................................... 7
Equipment ........................................................................................................................... 8
Training ............................................................................................................................... 9
Overtime ........................................................................................................................... 10
Plans for 2015 ................................................................................................................... 10
Incident Summary ............................................................................................................. 11
Auburn Hills Financial Commitment……………………………………………………14
Bloomfield Township Financial Commitment…………………………………………..15
Troy Financial Commitment…………………………………………………………….16
Bloomfield Hills Financial Commitment………………………………………………..17
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Southeast Oakland County Crash Investigation Team
During the 2015 calendar year the SOCCIT team had 20 team activations. Since the team
was formed in November of 2010, the team has handled 77 investigations. The team has
several new members as some have rotated out and others have been promoted to new
responsibilities. Investigations are continuing to be conducted with quality and
efficiency. The team uses the principles of effective traffic incident management to
thoroughly investigate the crash while causing as minimal a disruption to traffic as
possible. The SOCCIT team continues to train together regularly and has hosted
investigators from outside agencies during our in-service training dates.
Team Objectives
Reduction of overtime: We believe we can reduce the overtime load on a single agency
when a fatal crash occurs by combining resources. The sharing of investigators from all
four communities increases the likelihood of personnel being on duty, therefore, reducing
the need to call investigators in on overtime. In addition, sharing the costs across all four
(4) agencies when overtime is needed decreases the burden of any single agency for an
event.
Reduction of time spent on the roadway: The presence of on duty personnel means the
crash investigation starts faster and is completed with less impact on the surrounding
community due to lane or roadway closures. The use of advanced technology (Total
Station) means a higher quality investigation can be completed faster than traditional
measuring options.
Skill use: Investigators will get more opportunities to utilize the highly technical skills
they have been trained in. The team has utilized ‘peer review’ of incidents to insure
accuracy.
One of the fundamental objectives of the multi-agency team is the reduction of overtime
for crash investigation team activations. We believe we have met this objective.
Utilizing a combination of on duty personnel, as well as sharing the call out costs has
allowed us to keep costs down. In 2014 there were 15 team activations within all three
communities. The total overtime cost to all agencies was $10,697.05. In 2015 there were
20 team activations within the four communities. The total overtime costs for all
agencies was $10,777.77. This is a .7% decrease in overtime spent on crash
investigation. The five (5) additional team activations represents a 25% increase from
2014. The Team continues to save overtime money with the utilization of on-duty
resources, when available.
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Overtime Trend by Member Agency
3958.31
21273.16
$10,352.96 $10,697.05 $10,777.77
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Total Overtime Cost
$1,879.77
$3,298.29
$2,047.19 $1,976.10
$2,728.53
$0.00
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
$3,000.00
$3,500.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Overtime: Auburn Hills
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Personnel Movement
Several of our team members were promoted or moved on to new assignments in 2015.
As a result several officers were assigned to the team in their place.
Troy
Frank Shuler was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to patrol.
Officers Triner and Hunter joined the team.
Bloomfield Township
Matt Hill was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to patrol.
$682.72
$11,961.65
$5,997.00 $6,251.72$5,383.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$4,000.00
$6,000.00
$8,000.00
$10,000.00
$12,000.00
$14,000.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Overtime: Troy
$1,395.78
$6,013.22
$2,308.77
$3,581.37
$2,585.52
$0.00
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$3,000.00
$4,000.00
$5,000.00
$6,000.00
$7,000.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Overtime: Bloomfield Township
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Craig Shackelford retired from the police department.
Kelly Marthen moved to a new assignment as Community Liaison Officer
Matt Follman was assigned to the K9 unit.
Sergeant Kim Comerford and Officers Shoemaker and Sherwood have been
assigned to the team. Officer Murphy will be joining the team in March of 2016.
SOCCIT In-Service Training Sessions:
The SOCCIT team conducted in service training as a unit on four (4) separate dates in
2015.
April 22nd.
The topic was a night photography exercise facilitated by MSP Reconstructionist
Sergeant Chad Lindstrum.
May 27th
Sgt. Eftink covered common equations used in the reconstruction of crash scenes. The
class included numerous exercises for team members to complete.
September 24th
Team forms and the Protocol packet were reviewed and updated.
October 22nd
This training date was focused on Total Station familiarization and practice. In addition
all team members were provided an overview of the Special Response Truck. All Troy
team members were certified to drive the vehicle as well as a couple of members from
Auburn Hills.
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Special Response Truck
In 2015 the Troy Police Department put into service the Special Response Truck. This
vehicle was obtained from the Troy Fire Department. The primary use of this vehicle is
for the Troy Tactical Response Team. However, SOCCIT has been authorized to use the
vehicle and Troy is now keeping their crash investigation equipment on the truck. The
truck will be available to respond on all SOCCIT activations. The truck is equipped with
a light tower that will allow us to illuminate crash scenes and work more efficiently and
safely on the roadway. The truck is also equipped with a generator that will allow us to
charge batteries as needed or power portable scene lights. The truck is housed at the
Troy Police and Fire Training Center.
Specialization
The combined team offers investigators with additional specialized skills. This is a
tremendous value to each individual member agency. Having these specialists available
as part of the overall team means that each member agency does not need to train
personnel in multiple specialized areas but still has access to these valuable skills. Some
examples:
Auburn Hills: Drug Recognition Expert
Forensic Mapping
ARIDE and SFST Instructor
Advanced Reconstruction
Child Seat Technician
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Bloomfield Township: Advanced Reconstruction
Child Seat Technician
Occupant Kinematics
Troy: Motor Carrier
Advanced Reconstruction
Forensic Mapping
Drug Recognition Expert
Equipment
The following is a breakdown of equipment expenditures per agency:
Auburn Hills renewed their license agreements for the EdgeFx and Mfx software
package.
Bloomfield Township purchased a used Total Station at auction. This equipment is
similar to the equipment used by the other member agencies and utilizes the same
software package in use by the team. This now gives the team three (3) Total Stations to
utilize as needed.
Troy purchased a Bosch electronic data retrieval system. This system will allow us to
download crash telemetry data from vehicles involved in crashes. Previously we had to
utilize investigators from either MSP or the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office to retrieve
this data.
$664.20
$2,928.00
$2,313.40
$200.00
Auburn Hills
Troy
Bloomfield Twp
Bloomfield Hills
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Bloomfield Hills purchased high visibility jackets for their two (2) team members. These
jackets are the same jackets in use by the Team and have the Bloomfield Hills patch on
the left sleeve and the SOCCIT patch on the right.
Training
The following shows outside training dollars spent specifically for team members:
In 2015 Auburn Hills sent a new investigator, Officer Jeff Malone to the pre-requisite AI
courses.
Troy sent two (2) new investigators, Officers Triner and Hunter to AI 1-8.
Bloomfield Township trained two (2) new officers to the prerequisite AI courses. Sgt.
Comerford also attended AI-1 and 2.
Bloomfield Hills had no outside crash investigation training expenses in 2015.
$1,520.00
$6,350.00
$12,884.00
$0.00
Auburn Hills
Troy
Bloomfield Twp
Bloomfield Hills
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Overtime
Auburn Hills spent $2,728.53 in overtime for SOCCIT team activations in 2015. This
was a total for all 20 team activations in the four (4) communities. Eight (8) of the
twenty callouts were within the City of Auburn Hills.
Bloomfield Township spent $2,585.52 in overtime for all team activations. Six (6) of the
twenty team activations were within Bloomfield Township.
Troy had a total of $5,383 in overtime for SOCCIT team activations. Six (6) of the
twenty team activations occurred in the City of Troy.
Bloomfield Hills had no callouts within their city limits in 2015. Bloomfield Hills spent
$80.72 in overtime for SOCCIT team activations.
Plans for 2015
With several new members, training will be a priority for 2016. Training dates have been
initially set for April 14, May 18, September 8 and October 12th. Familiarization with
investigation protocol and use of the Total Station will be stressed in all of the training
dates as we bring new members up to speed.
TIA is hosting Event Data Recorder Use in Traffic Crash Reconstruction. This class is
taught by IPTM. Team members will be attending this class at no cost to the member
agency. This training will allow us to better use the new Bosch equipment that Troy
purchased in 2015. This a grant funded (OHSP) training that will be held in May of
2016. This is the third crash investigation related class that TIA has sponsored locally.
$2,728.53
$5,383.00
$2,585.52
$80.72
Auburn Hills
Troy
Bloomfield Twp
Bloomfield Hills
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In addition, the Birmingham Police Department has requested to join the team. Upon
approval of the SOCCIT Board, steps will be taken to facilitate their participation.
Incident Summary
01/02//2015 Maple near Lahser
The driver of a garbage truck ran a red light and struck another vehicle. The driver was
ejected and the driverless truck continued, striking two other cars. A passenger sustained
a serious head injury.
Roadway time: 2:35
1/26/2015 Telegraph/Maple
There was a minor crash involving a semi-truck and two passenger cars. After the initial
collision another vehicle struck the rear of the parked semi at a high rate of speed. That
driver died of his injuries.
Roadway time: 3:34
02/13/2015 I-75 (South) at Lapeer Road
A driver entering the freeway from Lapeer crossed all lanes and caused the driver of a
Ford Escort to lose control. The Ford struck the median wall and became disabled.
Another southbound vehicle struck the Ford. The driver of the Ford died from injuries.
The driver who caused the crash was charged with reckless driving.
Roadway time: 4:02
03/02/2015 I-75 (South) near South Blvd.
A driver lost control, and struck the median wall, and then a disabled vehicle that was
stopped on the shoulder. The occupants of the disabled vehicle suffered serious injuries.
Investigation revealed the first driver was impaired by drugs. He was charged with OWI
causing serious injuries.
Roadway time: 3:56
03/13/2015 3600 W. Maple near Lahser
An elderly driver mistakenly hit the gas pedal instead of the brake while backing out of a
space. The vehicle struck another vehicle and pushed it into a pedestrian. The pedestrian
suffered serious injuries.
Roadway time: 2:31
3/18/2015 I75 (North) near Walton Blvd.
The driver of a pickup struck the guardrail, then crossed all lanes and struck the median
wall. The driver was ejected from the truck and the truck caught fire. The driver died
from injuries sustained in the crash. Investigation revealed that the driver appears to have
fallen asleep at the wheel.
Roadway time: 3:37
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4/12/2015 Woodward/Square Lake
A vehicle ran a red light east bound on Square Lake at Woodward. The vehicle struck
another vehicle seriously injuring 3 people. Investigation revealed the responsible driver
was OWI.
Roadway time: 3:34
4/17/015 I-75 near Maple
A vehicle travelling southbound at a high rate of speed rear ended a pickup pushing that
vehicle into another. A passenger in the pickup truck died from injuries. Responsible
driver charged with Operating while intoxicated causing death.
Roadway time: 2:06
5/14/2015 Pioneer Drive/Squirrel Oakland University
Oakland University requested assistance with a pedestrian fatality on campus. The
responsible driver was charged and pled to Civil Infraction Causing Death.
5/18/2015 I-75/Long Lake
A pickup truck enetered construction backup was struck at a high rate of speed by an
SUV. The driver of the truck sustained serious injuries.
Roadway time: 2:20
5/25/2015 Walton/Opdyke
A driver crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head on. Three people in the
second car were seriously injured. Responsible driver charged with reckless driving.
Roadway time: 2:34
6/5/2015 Lapeer/Brown
A driver exited McDonalds on Lapeer heading the wrong direction and was struck by
another vehicle. The driver was charged OWI causing serious injury.
Roadway time: 2:15
7/3/2015 M59/Squirrel
A motorcycle struck a vehicle from behind. Investigation revealed the car was travelling
at a very slow speed in the travel lane of the freeway. Charges are pending at OCPO.
Roadway time: 2:10
7/11/2015 Telegraph/Lone Pine
A 16 year old driver left the roadway and struck a light pole. The driver was seriously
injured. It is unknown why the driver left the roadway.
8/14/2015 I-75/14 Mile Road
A vehicle towing a boat lost an inflatable tube that then struck a motorcycleist. The
motorcyclist was seriously injured. Responsible driver charged with civil infraction
causing serious injury.
Roadway time: 1:53
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9/26/2015 M-59/I-75
The passenger on a motorcycle fell off and was struck by numerous passing vehicles.
The driver fled to his home and committed suicide. The passenger died from her injuries
and toxicology indicated that her BAC was extremely high.
10/09/2015 South Blvd/Bloomfield Lane
A driver westbound on South Blvd crossed the center line and struck an eastbound
vehicle. The responsible driver died from injuries sustained in the crash. The other
driver sustained serious injuries.
10/11/2015 I-75/Crooks
Single vehicle crash involving an intoxicated driver. The driver sustained serious injuries
after leaving the roadway, striking a guardrail and overturning.
Roadway time: 3:10
11/4/2015 John R/Highbury
Pedestrian struck by vehicle. Investigation revealed the pedestrian and family members
crossed the roadway mid-block in the dark. The victim walked out in front of traffic and
was struck and killed.
Roadway time: 3:06
11/9/2015 Wattles/Livernois
A bicyclist was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured. Investigation revealed that the
bicyclist was at fault in the crash.
Roadway time: 1:56
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1 Lt. Gagnon Administration
2 Sgt. Leonard Supervisor
3 Sgt. Eftink Investigator
4 Ofc. Miller Investigator
5 Ofc. Prachar Investigator
6 Ofc. Mahon Investigator
7 Ofc. Malone Investigator
SGT 1,885.00$
OFC IN 611.13$
OFC OUT 232.40$
Total 2,728.53$
EdgeFx Maint. 395.10$
MfX Maint. 269.10$
Total 664.20$
Hours Costs
AI1-2 Malone 80 1 1,420.00$
PAAM 'Lethal Weapon' 16 1 100.00$
-$
-$
Total 1,520.00$
4,912.73$
Course # of Personnel
Training
Total Costs of Overtime/Upgrades/Training
January 1, 2016
Auburn HillsSOCCIT Personnel / Financial Commitment
Personnel
Overtime
Equipment / Software Updates
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1 Cpt. Langemeyer Admin
2 Sgt. Comerford Supervisor
3 Ofc. Sherwood Investigator
4 Ofc. Shoemaker Investigator
5 Ofc. Murphy Investigator Mar-16
Sgt BLTP 898.80$
OFC BLTP 873.48$
OFC OUTSIDE 813.24$
Total 2,585.52$
Total Station 2,000.00$
Vechicle Scales 145.00$
Misc 168.40$
Total 2,313.40$
Hours Costs
Follman 720.00$
Comerford 1,440.00$
Shoemaker 3,790.00$
Sherwood 6,934.00$
Total 12,884.00$
17,782.92$
Training
Course # of Personnel
Total Costs of Overtime/Upgrades/Training
Bloomfield TownshipSOCCIT Personnel / Financial Commitment
January 1, 2015
Personnel
Overtime
Equipment / Software Updates
Page 16 of 17
1 Cpt. Redmond Admin
2 Sgt. Szuminski Supervisor
3 Sgt. Gobler Investigator 7 Ofc. Triner Investigator
4 Ofc. Stansbury Investigator 8 Ofc. Hunter Investigator
5 Ofc. Linton Investigator 9 Ofc. Morse Investigator
6 Ofc. Warzecha Investigator 10 Ofc. Huck Investigator
5,383.00$
Total 5,383.00$
Bosch EDR Equipment 2,928.00$
Total 2,928.00$
Hours Costs
AI-25 2 720 1,440.00$
AI-3 2 335 670.00$
AI-4 2 230 460.00$
AI-5 2 230 460.00$
AI-6 2 230 460.00$
Total 6,350.00$
14,661.00$
Training
Course # of Personnel
Total Costs of Overtime/Upgrades/Training
City of TroySOCCIT Personnel / Financial Commitment
January 1, 2015
Personnel
Overtime
Equipment / Software Updates
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1 Lt. Noel Clason Admin
2 Ofc. Mattot Investigator
3 Ofc. Afeld Investigator
Ofc. In -$
Ofc. Out 80.72$
Total 80.72$
Hi-Vis Jackets 200.00$
Total 200.00$
Hours Costs
Total -$
280.72$
Training
Course # of Personnel
Total Costs of Overtime/Upgrades/Training
City of Bloomfield HillsSOCCIT Personnel / Financial Commitment
January 1, 2015
Personnel
Overtime
Equipment / Software Updates
