Policy Text
MOUNTAIN VIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT
SPECIAL SERVICES SECTION
TRAINING AND INFORMATION
BULLETIN
PAGE 1 OF 2
2024
DATE: March 4, 2024
BULLETIN NUMBER: 24 - 03
SUBJECT: Evidence Tow Procedures and Notifications
INFORMATION:
This training bulletin provides an overview of procedures for evidence tows, releases and
notifications. Vehicles that are towed to the police department for evidence processing purposes (pursuant to
22655.5 (b) VC, 22651(c) VC, etc.) are stored in the back lot and R ecords enters the information
into SVS accordingly (CHP-180 required). The vehi cle should be secured in the Evidence cage
or otherwise secured in the back lot. Notify the Evidence Room team so the vehicle can be
entered into their property tracking system to mainta in chain of custody.
The vehicle should be processed in a timely manner depending upon th e case circumstances
pursuant to the legal authority (cons ent, search warrant, etc.). A s upervisor should be apprised of
the vehicle and notify the appropriate ISD/tr affic supervisor and chain of command for
awareness. A supervisor will weigh the seriousness of the case, evidentiary needs, and case status when deciding whether to retain the vehicle or release af ter processing. For major cases, it
is recommended to contact the assigned DDA or supervising DDA to discuss the case factors and
whether the vehicle needs to be retained in police custody before a release decision is made. If
the vehicle is to be retained at the request of detectives or the DA’s Office, please update
Records and Property and Evidence with these details. If the evidence vehicle is completely processe d and approved for releas e, the investigating
officer or detective should notif y the owner to release the vehicl e from the station if possible.
Contact Records before the rel ease to complete necessary pape rwork, update the CHP-180 and to
edit any database entries. Please make reasonable efforts to contact the ow ner and facilitate the
direct release to the owner, and document thos e efforts accordingly. If this occurs, the
department will pay for the tow to the station and no towing or storage fees will be billed to the
owner. If the owner cannot be located after reasonable e fforts, document those a ttempts and contact the
original tow company that handled the first tow to the Police Department to pick up this vehicle.
If returned to the tow company, please advise Records accordingly and document the chain of
events. Records will also take steps to notify the owner of the status change per unit policies.
MOUNTAIN VIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT
SPECIAL SERVICES SECTION
TRAINING AND INFORMATION
BULLETIN
PAGE 2 OF 2
2024
Whether the vehicle is released to the owner or the tow company, the series of steps should be
documented by the officer or detective in a deta iled supplemental report. Prompt and reasonable
efforts to notify the owner and efforts to release the vehicle directly to the owner serve to limit
City and Police Department liab ility for associated fees.
Prepared by: Sgt. Fisher Approved by: Lt. Espitia