Collision Investigation and Traffic Enforcement Services

The traffic unit’s primary responsibility is to enforce all traffic laws and to investigate collisions within the City of Riverside. The traffic unit consists of fourteen motorcycle officers and three officers in marked patrol cars whose primary duties include: traffic enforcement, traffic control, and the investigation of injury and hit-and-run collisions. Additionally, the traffic unit staffs two civilian Police Service Representatives (PSR’s) that investigate and complete injury and hit-and-run traffic collision reports.

Three specially trained detectives are assigned to the traffic unit. The traffic detectives follow up on leads from reports involving hit-and-run collisions and collisions involving serious injuries or fatalities. The detectives file criminal complaints with the District Attorney’s office for violations of the California Vehicle Code and Penal Code that result from traffic collisions. A traffic detective is tasked with processing applications for a special events. Special events include: block parties, car shows, walks or runs for charity, and any other event for profit or non-profit that impacts public right of ways. During a special event the portion of the closed public right of way is under control of the permit holder. The detective ensures that the permit holder has secured the area and has provided insurance coverage for any claims arising from the event.

The Riverside Police Department has a Major Accident Investigation Team, (MAIT). MAIT is staffed with officers, detectives, and civilians with years of training and expertise. Its members have investigated thousands of traffic collisions and have successfully prosecuted numerous felony and misdemeanor traffic collision investigations. MAIT uses advanced technology such as a Nikon/Aims Total Station to collect data at the collision scene. The Total Station mapping device uses infrared technology that is accurate to within 5 mm at 1000 feet. The precise measurements from the Total Station aid investigators in reconstructing the collision and determining the cause. MAIT investigators are used in creating detailed diagrams of officer involved shootings and major crime scenes. Several RPD MAIT investigators serve as instructors with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Advanced Post-Blast Investigation School, instructing officers and investigators from across the country in the mapping and documentation of large terrorist bomb blast crime scenes.

The Riverside Police Department has a Handicapped Parking Enforcement Unit. Its members consist of four volunteers that use city vehicles to patrol and enforce handicap-parking violations.

Students fromt the Riverside Unified School District and Alvord School District are assisted in crossing busy streets by crossing guards hired, trained and supervised by police personnel. Two PSR’s assigned to this program coordinate crossing guards at 93 locations throughout the city. The part-time crossing guards are also employed at other functions where traffic control is needed, such as parades and festivals.
 

Q:  Where can I get a "fix-it ticket" signed off?

A “fix-it ticket” can be signed off at either of the Riverside Police Department facilities:

  •  4102 Orange Street

  • 10540 Magnolia Avenue, Suite B

Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. We will gladly inspect the vehicle and, if the problem is one that we can sign off, we will. There is a $10.00 vehicle inspection fee. A citation may be signed off by any police officer in California. It does not require the inspection be done by the issuing agency.

Q:  What do I do with my "fix-it ticket" after it is signed off?

You take the “fix-it ticket” to Traffic Court, located at 13800 Heacock Avenue, Suite D, Moreno Valley, California. Telephone (951) 341-8876.

Q:  My car was impounded, what do I do?

Vehicles may be impounded for several reasons:

If your vehicle was impounded as a result of being abandoned, a traffic hazard, or the driver was arrested; the registered owner can bring proper identification to the police department. This must be done Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. If the vehicle is currently registered, a release will be issued for a fee of $60. If the vehicle was a reported stolen, there is no fee required. After you have received a vehicle release from the Records Section, arrangements can be made with the tow company to pay their fees and have the vehicle released.

If your vehicle was towed for expired registration, all Department of Motor Vehicles fees must be paid in full prior to release. Please bring the Department of Motor Vehicles paperwork and proper identification when you come in for your release. For additional information regarding the release of a vehicle under the above circumstances, please contact the Records Section at (951) 826-5532 or (951) 353-7606.

If your vehicle was impounded because it was used in a crime or as evidence in a crime, you will have to contact our Records Division at (951) 826-5532 or (951) 353-7606 and give them your license plate number. They will refer you to the officer handling the case.

If your vehicle was impounded because it was being operated by an unlicensed driver or someone driving on a suspended license, it will be held for 30 days (per California Vehicle Code Section 14602.6). In order to get a vehicle release form you must meet the following requirements: 1) The registered owner must be present with a valid form of identification, 2) The vehicle registration must be current or you must possess a Deposit of Fees receipt issued by the DMV and/or current temporary moving permit issued by the DMV, 3) You must have the release fee of $205 in the form of a Money Order, Cash or Cashier’s Check made payable to the City of Riverside. Please note that we do not accept credit cards for payment of the release fee.

In most cases, the 30-day holding period will not be waived. However, if there are extenuating circumstances, an appointment can be made with a hearing officer within ten days of the date of impound. A determination will be made on the hold status. Hearings are conducted Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Traffic Division. Appointments can be made by calling (951) 353-7986.

Q:  How can I get property out of my impounded vehicle?

In order to get property out of an impounded vehicle, the registered owner must contact the tow company directly to make arrangements.

Q:  I am the registered owner of an impounded vehicle and unable to come to the Police Records Section to obtain a release form. How can I get my car?

If circumstances arise and the registered owner is unable to come to the Police Records Section to obtain a release form, the registered owner may (with written, notarized authorization and proper identification) authorize someone else with a valid driver's license to pick up the vehicle.

Q:  The registered owner of the vehicle is in jail/prison and wants to release the vehicle and/or property in the vehicle to me. What should I do?

If the registered owner is in jail/prison, the inmate and a Sheriff’s Custody Deputy must sign a written letter authorizing the vehicle’s release. This signed form (along with current registration and proper identification) must be brought to the Police Records Section to obtain a release form.

Q:  Someone was driving my vehicle and it was impounded. How can I find out where the vehicle is located?

You may find out where your vehicle is by calling the Police Records Section at (951) 826-5532 or (951) 353-7606. Please allow 24 hours from the time of impound for processing. Please have your license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN) or case number available when you call.

Q:  What is considered proper identification?

Proper identification consists of: current California driver's license; current out-of-state driver's license; current California Department of Motor Vehicles identification card; current military identification card; or current passport.

Q:  What does CVC 14601.1 mean?

This is the California Vehicle Code http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html section for driving a vehicle with a suspended license.

Q:  How long does it take to get a copy of an collision report?

It may take from five to ten working days for a collision report to be ready for release. Collisions involving major injuries may take longer due to extensive follow-up investigation. Contact the Records Division for availability at (951) 826-5532. You may obtain a copy of the report by filling out a form and paying a $10 fee.

Q:  Who do I call if I am aware of immediate traffic hazards?

Call (951) 787-7911 to report immediate traffic hazards to our Police Communications Center.

Q:  Whom do I call to report on-going traffic problems?

Non-emergency traffic problems can be reported to our Police Communications Center at (951) 787-7911. A Parking or Traffic Officer will be dispatched as soon as possible.

Q:  How do I contest a parking citation?

You may call Riverside City Hall at (951) 826-5312, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On the back of parking citations, you will find instructions that will assist you in filing a response if you feel you were incorrectly cited.

Q:  How do I contest a traffic citation?

On the face of the citation you will find the address of the traffic court, as well as the date and time you are scheduled to appear. You can appear in court to contest your traffic citation.

Q:  How do I obtain a driver's license?

Driver's licenses are obtained through the California Department of Motor Vehicles at (800) 777-0133 or www.dmv.ca.gov

Q:    I was involved in a non-injury collision.  When I called the police, why wouldn't they send out a police car?

Non-injury collisions do not require a police report.  Drivers are instructed to move their vehicles out of traffic.  Once safely to the side of the roadway, they should exchange driver's license information, vehicle information, and insurance information.  The drivers are then required by state law to contact their insurance companies and provide them with the information.  The insurance company will take it from there.  

Q:    I was involved in a collision.  I would like to obtain a copy of the police report.

To obtain a copy of the collision report, contact the Records department at (951) 826-5531 or (951) 353-7606.

Q:    There was a large collision on the street near my house.  The police had the street closed for hours.  Why did it take so long for them to re-open the street?

Major and fatal traffic collisions are some of the most detailed police reports written.  Highly accurate measurements are taken of the roadway, vehicles, and evidence located in the area.  These measurements are later used to create scale drawings and diagrams of the collision scene.  This information can be used to reconstruct the collision to help determine which party was at fault and why the collision occurred.  The Riverside Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) is staffed by officers and detectives with years of training and expertise.  Its members have investigated thousands of traffic collisions and have successfully prosecuted numerous felony and misdemeanor traffic collision investigations.  Our MAIT team has recently acquired a Total-Station mapping device.  This device, used to map collision scenes with an infrared beam of light, allows our investigators to re-create diagrams of the collision scene accurate to within 5 mm at 1000 feet.  Our MAIT investigators are also used in creating detailed diagrams of officer involved shooting and major crime scenes.  Several of our MAIT investigators serve as instructors with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Advanced Post-Blast Investigation school, instructing officers and investigators from all over the country in the mapping and documentation of large blast crime scenes.