CPD’s Pounders joins the Traffic Homicide Investigation Unit

CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Police Department recently congratulated Officer Zane Pounders on the successful completion of parts one and two of the traffic homicide investigation.

Chief David Nassetta said Pounders will now be assigned to CPD’s Traffic Homicide Unit.

“The Cullman Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit is a specialized investigative unit that responds to and investigates life-threatening injury crashes and fatal crashes,” Nassetta said.

Pounders said he is extremely grateful and excited to begin the journey.

“Levels 1 and 2 are the initial stages of road fatality investigations and the course for these is 80 hours long,” Pounders said. “Basically I started on May 6th and finished on May 17th. The most important thing about the course is that you must have a desire to investigate accidents and find out what really caused them.”

Pounders said the course was primarily about collecting usable evidence from accident scenes.

“A lot of the evidence can be turned into formulas to provide information that shows the facts about what happened in the accidents,” Pounders said. “Of course, when it comes to formulas, you have to be efficient in mathematics, as some of the equations are lengthy and can lead you to end up in a maze full of other equations. They made sure your brain was exercised every day.”

Pounders said the transition to the traffic homicide investigation wasn’t anything too crazy.

“All THI team members continue to be full-time members of their assigned shift,” Pounders said. “For me, that’s patrol. You will still find me on every other service call. However, the THI team is available 24/7 to respond to certain accidents, which typically involve serious injury or death. Regardless of whether it is our day off or it is 2 a.m., we will respond to investigate.”

Pounders said he was assigned to the unit after completing the course.

“These guys work extremely hard behind the scenes,” Pounders said. “It has fascinated me for a long time. I’m happy that I can definitely be there.”

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