Policy Text
Policy
502Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/05/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVehicle Towing and Release - 1Vehicle Towing and Release
502.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides the procedures for towing a vehicle by or at the direction of the Garden Grove
Police Department. Nothing in this policy shall require the Department to tow a vehicle.
502.2 STORAGE AND IMPOUNDS
When circumstances permit, for example when towing a vehicle for parking or registration
violations, the handling employee should, prior to having the vehicle towed, make a good faith
effort to notify the owner of the vehicle that it is subject to removal. This may be accomplished
by personal contact, telephone or by leaving a notice attached to the vehicle at least 24 hours
prior to removal. If a vehicle presents a hazard, such as being abandoned on the roadway, it may
be towed immediately.
The responsibilities of those employees towing, storing or impounding a vehicle are listed below.
502.2.1 VEHICLE STORAGE REPORT
Department members requesting towing, storage, or impound of a vehicle shall complete CHP
Form 180 and accurately record the mileage and a description of property within the vehicle
(Vehicle Code § 22850). A copy of the storage report should be given to the tow truck operator,
and the original shall be submitted to the Records Division as soon as practicable after the vehicle
is stored.
502.2.2 REMOVAL FROM TRAFFIC COLLISION SCENES
Officers shall remove a vehicle, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section Authority when:
(a)The vehicle is in the roadway, cannot be moved, and is obstructing traffic.
(b)The driver/owner is injured to the extent that he is unable to remove the vehicle.
(c)In cases where a vehicle is not drivable, is a traffic hazard, and the driver is capable of
making decisions, the removal of the vehicle should be handled as a private tow.The
driver will be given the opportunity to choose a tow company preference as long as the
company is local and can respond within 25 minutes.If the driver has no preference,
one of the city-authorized rotational tow companies will be called to remove the vehicle.
(d)Should the driver refuse to have the vehicle removed and the vehicle is a traffic hazard,
it shall be removed at the officer's direction, following California Vehicle Code Authority
Sections.
(e)It shall be the responsibility of the tow truck operator to ensure the removal of all glass
and debris from the roadway.
502.2.3 STORAGE AT ARREST SCENES
Whenever a person in charge or in control of a vehicle is arrested, it is the policy of this department
to provide reasonable safekeeping by storing the arrestee’s vehicle subject to the exceptions
described below. The vehicle, however, shall be stored whenever it is needed for the furtherance
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Vehicle Towing and Release
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/05/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVehicle Towing and Release - 2of the investigation or prosecution of the case, or when the community caretaker doctrine would
reasonably suggest that the vehicle should be stored (e.g., traffic hazard, high-crime area).
The following are examples of situations where consideration should be given to leaving a vehicle
at the scene in lieu of storing, provided the vehicle can be lawfully parked and left in a reasonably
secured and safe condition:
•Traffic-related warrant arrest.
•Situations where the vehicle was not used to further the offense for which the driver
was arrested.
•Whenever the licensed owner of the vehicle is present, willing, and able to take control
of any vehicle not involved in criminal activity.
•Whenever the vehicle otherwise does not need to be stored and the owner requests
that it be left at the scene. In such cases, the owner shall be informed that the
Department will not be responsible for theft or damages.
502.2.4 IMPOUNDMENT AT SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS
Whenever a driver is stopped at a sobriety checkpoint and the only violation is that the operator
is driving without a valid driver’s license, the officer shall make a reasonable attempt to identify
the registered owner of the vehicle (Vehicle Code § 2814.2). The officer shall release the vehicle
to the registered owner if the person is a licensed driver, or to another licensed driver authorized
by the registered owner, provided the vehicle is claimed prior to the conclusion of the checkpoint
operation.
If the vehicle is released at the checkpoint, the officer shall list on his/her copy of the notice to
appear the name and driver’s license number of the person to whom the vehicle is released.
When a vehicle cannot be released at the checkpoint, it shall be towed (Vehicle Code § 22651(p)).
When a vehicle is removed at the checkpoint, it shall be released during the normal business
hours of the storage facility to the registered owner or his/her agent upon presentation of a valid
driver’s license and current vehicle registration.
502.2.5 ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES
An officer may remove and tow an illegally parked vehicle when:
(a)It is parked in a position that is obstructing or creating a traffic hazard.
(b)Any other reason created by state or local law.
When an officer removes a vehicle, either for storage or impound purposes, the officer shall fill
out a Garden Grove Police Department Stored Vehicle Report (Form 311a) and shall see that the
vehicle is entered into the Stolen Vehicle System (SVS). The Records Section will be