NC S809

Authorizes the City of Winston-Salem to employ civilian personnel to investigate property-damage-only traffic crashes and issue related traffic infractions.

Requires civilian traffic investigators to complete training designed by Winston-Salem Police Department in consultation with North Carolina Justice Academy, plus at least four weeks of field training with a law enforcement officer.

Civilian investigators must wear uniforms substantially different from law enforcement, display official credentials and name on uniform, and cannot be issued badges or weapons.

Investigators have no arrest authority or criminal process authority, cannot use blue emergency lights (red and amber permitted), and must defer all personal injury and fatal crash investigations to law enforcement officers.

City of Winston-Salem must submit a written report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees by December 31, 2023, covering the program's training and operations from the effective date through November 1, 2023.