NC H140

Cities in North Carolina may employ Civilian Traffic Investigators to investigate traffic crashes involving only property damage, either full-time or part-time.

Civilian Traffic Investigators must complete training designed by the North Carolina Justice Academy and complete at least four weeks of field training with an experienced law enforcement officer.

Investigators must wear distinctly different uniforms from law enforcement (without badges), may not carry weapons, have no authority to arrest, and may not use blue emergency lights on vehicles.

Law enforcement officers remain responsible for investigating crashes involving personal injury or fatalities, and the use of Civilian Traffic Investigators cannot replace or reduce existing sworn officer positions.

Reports completed by Civilian Traffic Investigators are treated the same as law enforcement reports for legal purposes under G.S. 20-166.1(i), effective upon ratification on June 23, 2023.