Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS
536.02
RELEASE OF IMPOUNDED VEHICLES
09-16-91
PURPOSE
To establish procedures for the release of impounded vehicles.
POLICY
That the release of vehicles impounded for criminal investigations be the responsibility of the Office of
Investigations (OOI) and be released to the registered owner or owner's agent at the earliest practical
time.
PROCEDURE
A. REPORTS
1. The Auto Theft Unit receives all vehicle impound reports. A copy of the report shall be
delivered to the section supervisor responsible for the investigation.
2. The detective assigned to the case shall receive the impound report and complete any
necessary investigation involving the vehicle as soon as possible.
3. On completion of the investigation the detective shall prepare a Release of Impounded
Vehicle form (SPD 140). The form shall be addressed to the proper tow service.
B. NOTIFICATIONS
1. The detective shall notify the person having legal right to claim the vehicle of its release
from impound.
a. The person claiming the vehicle shall be directed to respond to the OOI to sign
the release form and receive a copy of the release form for the tow service.
b. When telephone contact cannot be made, a letter notifying the owner of the
release shall be sent.
c. When the person to receive the vehicle is in custody, the detective shall notify the
individual of the release and determine the identity of the person to claim the
vehicle.
d. In all cases the person(s) shall be advised the City of Sacramento will not be
responsible for any additional storage fees from the date the vehicle is released
from impound.
2. The detective shall notify the tow service that the vehicle is now a stored vehicle and any
additional storage fees, from the date of notification, will be the responsibility for the
registered owner or person having legal right to claim the vehicle.
C. DISTRIBUTION OF THE RELEASE FORM
After the release form (SPD 140) has been signed by the person authorized to receive the
vehicle, the detective shall provide them with a copy, retain a copy for the case file, forward the
original to records and give Auto Theft a photocopy for its files.
D. IMPOUND STATUS REPORTS
1. Once each week the Larceny/Fraud Lieutenant shall review the Impound Vehicle Log.
a. Vehicles in impound status after five days shall be noted.
b. Each section responsible for an extended impound shall be contacted for a status
report.
c. The Lieutenant shall provide an impounded vehicle status report to the Captain
each Friday.
2. The City is responsible for tow service and impound storage fees until the vehicle is
released from impound.
a. Vehicles shall be released at the earliest practical time.
b. The Auto Theft Unit shall be available to answer any questions on this procedure.
O.O.I. 536.02
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