GASTONIA, N.C. — The Gastonia Police Department is launching a new civilian crash investigation team.
The team of four will respond to minor crashes like fender benders.
This is expected to free up sworn officers to handle high-priority calls throughout the area.
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Last year, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department launched a similar unit.
Their team started with 15 people, with the hope of reaching a total of 30.
The civilians will not be able to write tickets or determine who is at fault. They are to simply speak with those at the scene and write a crash report for their insurance companies.
VIDEO: Civilian Crash Unit responds to hundreds of collisions since launch
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