Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
G.O. 536.01
1 OF 5
536.01
STOLEN VEHICLE REPORTS
06-24-11
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to define uniform proc edures for reporting stolen motor vehicles, trailers,
boats, and aircraft.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Sa cramento Police Department to to take stolen vehicle reports by
telephone, except when unusual or special circumst ances prevail which require the dispatch of an
officer for report purposes.
PROCEDURE
A. DEFINITION
1. STOLEN VEHICLE - A motor vehicle, traile r, boat, or aircraft driven or taken away
without legal authority, or prio r consent of the owner, with the intent to permanently or
temporarily deprive the owner of title or possession.
2. GROUP THEFT - Motorized vehicles, trailers , boats, aircraft, and associated parts stolen
at the same time and reported in the same t heft, entered into the Stolen Vehicle System
(SVS)/Automated Boat System (ABS) and interconnected as a group record.
3. FELONY VEHICLE - A vehicle an officer(s) knows has been used in a major felony, i.e.,
one identified by witnesses as seen near a hom icide scene, a vehicle known to be used
as the “get-away” car in a bank or other robbery, etc.
B. STOLEN VEHICLE REPORTING
1. Verifying Vehicle Theft
a. Personnel receiving initial reports of possible stolen vehicles shall:
(1) establish the jurisdiction of the possible theft.(2) determine if there is an immediate need for an officer to be dispatched,
i.e., suspect(s) in custody or in ar ea, vehicle taken in commission of a
felony, etc.
b. Communications shall refer the call to t he Report Writing Unit (RWU) if urgency of
dispatch is not indicated. If the RWU is cl osed, the call shall be referred to a call
expeditor or a unit shall be dispatched.
c. The Report Writer or expeditor shall:
(1) accept a stolen vehicle report from the last person in possession of the
vehicle if the registered or legal owner is not available. If the registered or
legal owner is available, talk with both parties.
(2) establish that the vehi cle is actually stolen.
(3) check the SVS to assure the vehicle is not listed as towed, removed from
private property, or repossessed.
(4) verify registration, license number, V ehicle Identification Number (VIN),
owner, and address.
(5) if there is insufficient information to complete a report, request the caller
obtain additional information and call back.
(6) if sufficient information exists, complete either a computer generated
Motor Vehicle Records Management System (RMS) Report (SPD A01) or a Motor Vehicle Report (SPD 103). The individual entering the report
shall:(a) assign or obtain a report number.(b) ensure the vehicle is entered into the SVS.
(7) consult with their supervisor if there is a question to take a report by
telephone or to dispatch a field unit.
d. Officers handling a call regar ding possible stol en vehicles:
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
G.O. 536.01
2 OF 5(1) shall question the complainant to det ermine if the vehicle is actually
stolen.
(2) shall ensure the SVS is checked before taking the report.(3) may refer the call to a report writer/call expeditor. If a report writer/call
expeditor is unavailable, officers shall:(a) on verification of a stolen v ehicle and after completing the SPD
103, request a report number by MDT or dispatch.
(b) obtain a signature on the SPD 103 fr om the complainant if they are
not the registered owner.
(c) call the Records Section and provide the information required for
entry into SVS (vehicle license, y ear, make, VIN, color, model, and
style). The victim's name, address and day/night phone number(s) shall be verified at that time.
(d) relate any special circumstances concerning the thef t, i.e. caution
codes for armed and dangerous subjects, cargo in/on the vehicle when stolen, etc.
(e) obtain an FCN and enter it on the SPD 103.
e. ALL personnel taking stolen vehicle repor ts shall advise the reporting party:
(1) the vehicle will be towed when it is recovered and they will be responsible
for the towing and storage.
(2) the Records Section shall make one (1 ) attempt by telephone, at the time
of recovery, to notify the owner of an SPD recovered vehicle of the
storage location. The result of the notification attempt shall be entered on
the recovery message sent to the Auto Theft Unit.
(3) they will receive a letter by mail postmarked within 24 hours of when SPD
was notified of the tow, ex cluding weekends and holidays.
(4) they may call the RWU with the licens e number of the vehicle, to see if the
vehicle has been recovered.
f. The Records Section shall establish a procedure for calling the reporting party
and for advising the Auto Theft Unit of t he receipt of a stolen vehicle report. To
facilitate this procedure, the reporting party's telephone number shall be entered into the victim data field on the SVS entry.
2. Report Guidelines
a. Lease/rental contract agreements for vehi cles require a five (5) day waiting