Charlotte, N.C., February 8, 2026
Since its launch, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Civilian Crash Investigation Unit has significantly improved the handling of minor traffic incidents. With civilian investigators responding to over 8,500 calls, they have completed thousands of reports and saved over 6,000 officer hours in 2025. This innovative program allows sworn officers to focus on higher-priority cases, thereby enhancing public safety and operational efficiency across the Charlotte area.
Charlotte, N.C.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Civilian Crash Investigation (CCI) Unit has demonstrably eased the workload on uniformed officers and significantly accelerated response times to minor traffic incidents since its launch in 2024. The program’s civilian investigators have now responded to more than 8,500 calls, completing thousands of crash reports and saving over 6,000 officer hours in 2025 alone. This substantial impact highlights the unit’s crucial role in enhancing public safety and operational efficiency across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
The success of this initiative means that sworn officers are increasingly available to focus on higher-priority calls, violent crimes, and more serious criminal investigations, directly contributing to faster overall police response throughout the city.
Streamlining Accident Response and Officer Allocation
When a minor crash occurs without reported injuries or criminal elements, a trained civilian investigator is dispatched to the scene instead of a sworn officer. These dedicated investigators are equipped to manage the crash site, gather essential information, complete official reports, and assist drivers, ensuring that incidents are cleared quickly and safely.
The primary benefit for sworn officers is the reduction in time spent on non-injury crash scenes, which can often be a time-consuming process. In 2025, the 15-member unit handled 38% of all crash calls for service citywide. This directly improves police availability for urgent calls that require the authority and training of a sworn officer, such as active crime fighting and emergency situations.
For the public, the program means faster clearance of crash sites, which helps to reduce traffic congestion and minimize the potential for secondary accidents. Drivers involved in minor incidents also experience quicker resolution, reducing their wait times and alleviating stress.
Program Genesis and Operational Details
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officially launched its Civilian Crash Investigation Program in December 2024, following a change in North Carolina state law (House Bill 140 in 2023) that permits civilian investigators to respond to minor crashes. This forward-thinking initiative was backed by a significant investment, with Charlotte City Council approving an appropriation of $1.271 million for the purchase of vehicles for the program.
The unit is currently comprised of 15 trained civilian employees. These investigators undergo an intensive six-week training program, which includes two weeks in the classroom and four weeks of field training alongside sworn officers. This specialized training focuses heavily on crash reporting, providing them with more in-depth knowledge in this area than what officers typically receive during police academy training.
Civilian Crash Investigators are dispatched similarly to police officers for appropriate calls. They drive distinct white Ford F-150 Lightning and Hybrid pickup trucks, marked with the unit’s name and equipped with amber lights, ensuring they are easily identifiable and do not resemble traditional police vehicles. They wear high-visibility uniforms, distinct from CMPD’s sworn police uniforms. Furthermore, CCIs are outfitted with body-worn cameras and operate under the same policies as sworn officers regarding camera usage and maintenance.
Scope and Limitations of Civilian Investigators
The Civilian Crash Investigation Unit focuses exclusively on motor vehicle collisions that involve only property damage and do not result in personal injuries or have any criminal elements. This includes tasks such as investigating the scene, gathering evidence like skid marks and photographs, collecting witness statements, completing various crash reports (including DMV-349 or non-reportable forms), and assisting with traffic control and disabled vehicles.
However, there are clear limitations to their authority. CCIs cannot issue citations, and they do not carry firearms. If a crash involves a suspected drunk driver, a revoked license, a hit-and-run, illegal contraband, or any other criminal offense or injury, a sworn officer must be called to respond and take appropriate action.
Looking Ahead
The CMPD strategically placed these investigators in divisions that historically experience the highest numbers of non-injury crashes, optimizing their impact. With the unit saving more than 6,000 officer hours in 2025, the program continues to prove its value. The department aims to nearly double the number of civilian crash investigators and eventually station them at every police division, further improving response times and keeping officers focused on the city’s most critical calls.
The Civilian Crash Investigation Unit represents a significant step in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s commitment to innovation and efficient resource management, ultimately benefiting both law enforcement personnel and the community they serve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Civilian Crash Investigation Unit (CCI)?
- It is a unit comprised of civilians hired by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) in 2024 to respond to minor non-injury vehicle crashes.
- Why did CMPD establish the Civilian Crash Investigation Unit?
- The department established the unit to reduce the burden on sworn officers, freeing them to respond to higher-priority calls and violent crimes, and to reduce wait times for individuals involved in minor crashes.
- What types of crashes do Civilian Crash Investigators (CCIs) handle?
- CCIs respond to and investigate crashes involving only property damage, with no injuries or criminal elements.
- What duties do Civilian Crash Investigators perform at a crash scene?
- CCIs investigate the scene, gather evidence (like skid marks and photographs), collect witness statements, complete crash reports (DMV-349 or non-reportable), assist with traffic control, and aid disabled vehicles.
- Can CCIs issue citations or make arrests?
- No, CCIs cannot issue citations or make arrests. If a situation requires it (e.g., suspected drunk driving, revoked license, criminal offense), they call for a sworn police officer.
- How are Civilian Crash Investigators identified?
- CCIs drive white Ford F-150 Lightning and Hybrid pickup trucks with amber lights, marked with the unit’s name. They wear high-visibility uniforms that are different from sworn CMPD police uniforms.
- How much training do Civilian Crash Investigators receive?
- Civilian Crash Investigators undergo six weeks of training, including two weeks in the classroom and four weeks of field training alongside officers, with a strong focus on crash reporting.
Key Features of the Civilian Crash Investigation Unit
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | December 2024 |
| Program Cost | $1.271 million initial investment for vehicles |
| Unit Size | 15 civilian investigators |
| Crashes Handled (2025) | More than 8,500 calls, accounting for 38% of all crash calls citywide |
| Officer Hours Saved (2025) | Over 6,000 hours |
| Types of Crashes Handled | Property damage only, no injuries, no criminal elements |
| Training Duration | Six weeks (2 classroom, 4 field) |
| Vehicle Identification | White Ford F-150 Lightning and Hybrid pickup trucks with amber lights, marked with unit name |
| Uniform Identification | High-visibility uniforms, distinct from sworn CMPD police uniforms |
| Equipment | Body-worn cameras, radios, department-issued vehicles with computers |
| Limitations | Cannot issue citations, cannot make arrests, do not carry firearms. Must call sworn officers for criminal elements or injuries. |
| Enabling Legislation | North Carolina House Bill 140 (2023) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Fatal Pedestrian Accident in East Charlotte
Matthews Fire Battalion Chief Charged with Arson
Charlotte Man Charged with Arson at Storage Facility
North Carolina Man Charged with Murder in South Carolina Incident
Recent Mysterious Booms and Train Crash in Charlotte
FBI Raids Community Activist’s Home in Medicaid Fraud Case
Arrest Made in Connection with December Teen Shooting in Charlotte
Charlotte Brewery Co-Owner Charged with Serious Offenses in Stanfield
Tragic Head-On Collision Claims Teenage Life in North Charlotte
Burke County Man Charged with Indecent Liberties with a Child
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
