Who is responsible for making an arrest at the scene if necessary?

The investigating officer is responsible for making an arrest at the scene if necessary because they are trained to handle all aspects of a traffic crash investigation, including assessing any criminal elements present, determining if a person needs to be arrested, and gathering evidence. This officer typically has the authority and expertise to make critical decisions regarding the situation at hand, including evaluating the actions of the involved parties and the legality of their behavior.

While other officers, such as the nearest police officer or a first responder, may initially assess the scene and provide assistance, they may not possess the same level of specialized training or responsibility related to the investigation as the investigating officer does. The designated supervisor on duty certainly has a role in overseeing the situation but may not be directly involved in taking action at the scene unless they are also an investigator or an officer on the scene. Therefore, the investigating officer is best positioned to make an arrest when required by the circumstances of the accident or incident.