Traffic Unit

The Council Bluffs Police Traffic Unit is responsible for traffic enforcement, special events coordination, and accident investigation. A sergeant leads the unit and there are normally two officers assigned to the unit on each shift. The traffic unit coordinates special traffic enforcement functions. Drunken driving, railroad, speed, and seatbelt enforcement projects are common throughout the year. The Iowa Governors Traffic Safety Bureau funds overtime, through grants, for officers to work special enforcement projects. The unit is responsible for planning special events throughout the year. The traffic unit plans annual events such as the Pride Parade and Lake Manawa Fireworks. Officers also provide traffic control at the MidAmerica Center for large events and Lancer hockey games

Photo by Officer Ed Carlson

Each officer within the traffic unit has received specialized training in accident investigation. The unit uses the latest in technology to document accident scenes. The traffic unit investigates all serious injury and fatal crashes. Officers also follow up on the majority of the unsolved hit and run accidents. There are currently ten accident investigators in the accident investigation unit. The unit is divided into two teams, each led by an accident reconstructionist. Two or more investigators are called out to each scene. Officers also assist in documenting major crime scenes. Digital and 35mm photographs are taken at all serious injury and fatal crash scenes. In this picture, reflective cones are used to show the skid marks of a vehicle involved in a crash.

The accident investigation unit uses a Sokkia total station to map scenes. A Vericom accelerometer is also available for determining drag factors of roadways Once a scene is mapped, officers download the information from the total station into a computer. The unit uses two programs to draw scenes: Autosketch and Mapscenes. Autosketch is a two-dimensional program. Mapscenes is a three-dimensional program that can also perform scene analysis.

When to Report an Accident

Iowa Law requires that all accidents involving personal injury or death be reported to the nearest law enforcement agency. Any accident where the combined damage to all vehicles involved is over $1,000.00 must be reported. In the event that an officer was not summoned to the scene, a report may be filed at the police station. All parties involved in the accident are required to be present at the time the report is filed. Parties involved are required to have their drivers' license, registration for the vehicle, and proof of insurance.

Where's My Car

The Council Bluffs Police Department uses Arrow Towing as its contract tow service. In the event that a driver does not sign a tow ticket prior to leaving the scene of an accident, officers will have the car towed to Arrow. The owner will be required to get a release for the car at Police Records. Proof of ownership and a valid picture ID are required. Releases for impounded cars may be obtained at Police Records between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

How to Get a Copy of a Report

Copies of the initial accident report may be obtained at Police Records 7:00 AM till 6:00 PM on the following business day. There is a $10.00 fee for copies of reports. For your convienence you can now order your accident reports online. For online reports go to our Online accident reports link on the top left of this webpage. In order to obtain copies of supplemental reports, photographs, or other accident related documentation, a release must be obtained from the City Attorneys Office. Additional fees will be charged for these reports.

City Legal Department Web Page

Use this link to the City Legal Department to print a copy of the request form.

City of Council Bluffs municipal traffic codes and descriptions.

State of Iowa traffic codes and descriptions.