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Policy 502Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentVehicle Towing and Release - 1Vehicle Towing and Release 502.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy applies to towing a vehicle by or at the direction of the Santa Ana Police Department. Nothing in this policy shall require the Department to tow a vehicle. 502.2 STORAGE AND IMPOUNDS Refer to the Vehicle Storage and Impound Procedure for details. 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 When a vehicle has been involved in a traffic collision and must be removed from the scene, the officer shall have the driver select a towing company, if possible, and shall relay the request for the specified towing company to the dispatcher. When there is no preferred company requested, a company will be selected from the rotational list of towing companies in Communications Division. If the owner is incapacitated, or for any reason it is necessary for the Department to assume responsibility of a vehicle involved in a collision, the officer shall request the dispatcher call the official rotational tow company for the City of Santa Ana. The officer will then store the vehicle using the Vehicle Report Form (SAPD T-42). 502.2.3 STORAGE AT ARREST SCENES When 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 of the investigation or prosecution of the case, or when the community caretaker doctrine would reasonably suggest the vehicle should be stored (e.g., traffic hazard, high crime area). The following are examples of situations officers should consider when 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. Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Vehicle Towing and Release Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentVehicle Towing and Release - 2•When the licensed owner of the vehicle is present, willing, and able to take control of any vehicle not involved in criminal activity. •When the vehicle otherwise does not need to be stored and the owner requests it be left at the scene. In such cases the owner shall be informed the Department will not be responsible for any 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 DRIVING A NON-CITY VEHICLE Vehicles that have been towed by or at the direction of the Department should not be driven by police personnel unless it is necessary to move a vehicle a short distance to eliminate a hazard, prevent the obstruction of a fire hydrant or to comply with posted signs. 502.2.6 DISPATCHER’S RESPONSIBILITIES Upon receiving a request for towing, the dispatcher shall promptly telephone the specified authorized towing service. The officer shall be advised when the request has been made and the towing service has been dispatched. When there is no preferred company requested, the dispatcher shall call the next firm in rotation from the list of approved towing companies and shall make appropriate entries on that form to ensure the following firm is called on the next request. 502.2.7 RECORDS DIVISION RESPONSIBILITY Records personnel shall promptly enter pertinent data from the completed storage form (CHP Form 180) into the Stolen Vehicle System and return the form to the Watch Commander for approval (Vehicle Code § 22651.5(b); Vehicle Code § 22851.3(b); Vehicle Code § 22854.5). Approved storage forms shall be promptly placed into the auto-file so that they are immediately available for release or review should inquiries be made. Within 48