State bill would allow civilian investigators for some crashes

State Sen. Paul Lowe (D-Forsyth) has filed a bill that would allow unarmed civilian personnel to investigate certain traffic crashes.

The bill comes at a time when law enforcement agencies like the Winston-Salem Police Department are struggling to fill vacancies.

The civilian investigators would be trained by local law enforcement but there would be notable differences between the two. Under Senate Bill 77, the non-sworn investigators would be uniformed differently, drive cars without blue lights and would not be issued badges or weapons.

They would also have no authority to make arrests.

The civilian enforcement personnel would be allowed to move or tow vehicles that are obstructing streets or highways and would create reports that would be treated as if they were written by a law enforcement officer.

Their work would be limited to property-damage cases. Sworn police would still investigate those crashes involving injuries or fatalities.