Sikeston police car accident reports now available online

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Traffic accident reports filed through the Sikeston Department of Public Safety are now available online, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported.

"Our department has entered into an agreement with Docview LLC to place traffic accident reports on the Internet," said Sgt. Jim McMillen, DPS public information officer. "The Docview Accident Reporting System was selected to better serve the public and insurance companies in the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. By using this system you are now able to quickly find and view your accident report within 24 hours of it being scanned at our department."

The program began one week ago on March 29. However, all reports 2010 are available.

McMillen said the new system means those affected by a traffic accident will no longer need to wait in line at headquarters or mail in a report request form. "Now you can access your reports over the Internet, 24 hours a day," he said.

Reports will be available online within four business days of the accident, excluding holidays.

According to McMillen, the department has looked for an alternative method of handling this paperwork for some time.

"We felt Internet access to these reports would be in everyone's best interest," he said. "After exploring several options we found the 'Docview' Internet system to be the most practical solution to everyone involved."

McMillen said Sikeston DPS files nearly 1,000 traffic accident reports annually, and most crash reports include two drivers.

"This means around 2,000 individuals and their insurance companies request copies of reports each year," he said. "By implementing this system we will be able to give the people and insurance companies a quick and easy way to access these reports. This system will also allow employees of our records division to concentrate on other duties."

McMillen said the program will provide a better and more efficient method for obtaining information. Finding a report takes "only a moment" and all reports are in PDF format, which is easy to view, save, print, and/or e-mail, he noted.

There will still be a fee for those requesting reports, which McMillen said is 'nominal." The department, however, receives the service at no charge, as Docview provided DPS with high speed scanning software and training.

Since beginning the program, officers have handed out cards at traffic accidents explaining how to obtain the reports from the Docview Web site, www.docview.us.com.

Anyone with issues finding their report can call DPS at 471-6200. More information about the system is also available on the city Web site, www.sikeston.org.