Towed Vehicle Holds and Releases

Bureau Order

This document is not an official representation of the published policy. To access the official signed policy, please submit a request through our Public Records Request Portal.

26-03
Published: 
Issued to
Investigations Bureau
Issued by
Deputy Chief Mark Im

I. PURPOSE

This Bureau Order details the procedures for towed vehicles being held for an investigative unit and the timely release of vehicles. The following procedures shall be followed by the assigned investigator and the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the investigative unit.

The SFPD may tow and hold vehicles as part of an investigation. Once all evidence from the vehicle has been processed and the vehicle has no further evidentiary value - meaning all inculpatory and exculpatory evidence that was apparent at the time of the inspection has been documented and preserved - the SFPD will release the vehicle. A towed vehicle shall not be held longer than 60 days unless there are specific articulable facts to extend the hold.

The Auto Detail is responsible for overseeing and managing all SFPD tows with investigative holds.

II. PROCEDURES

  1. TOWED VEHICLES INVOLVING AN INVESTIGATION
    1. When a vehicle is towed with a hold for an investigative unit, the assigned officer shall review the incident report and determine whether the case will be assigned.
    2. If the case is not assigned, the assigning officer or designee shall ensure the vehicle is processed for evidence, including preserving any items of apparent inculpatory or exculpatory value identified at the time of inspection. If it is determined the vehicle has no evidentiary value, it shall be released without delay. Once processing is complete and there is no further known evidentiary value in retaining the vehicle, it shall be released without delay.
    3. If a case is assigned, the assigned investigator shall ensure the vehicle is processed for evidence, including preserving any items of apparent inculpatory or exculpatory value identified at the time of inspection. Once processing is complete and there is no further known evidentiary value in retaining the vehicle, it shall be released without delay.
    4. If a vehicle is held for more than 60 days, the OIC shall be notified and provided with the specific and articulable reason for the extended hold.
  2. VEHICLE INSPECTIONS
    1. The prosecution or defense can request an inspection of a vehicle while it remains in the possession of the SFPD. All vehicle inspections must take place in the presence of the assigned SFPD investigator.

  3. ALL VEHICLE RELEASES

    When any towed vehicle is released, regardless of the length of the hold, the assigned investigator or designee must complete SFPD 425 (Vehicle Hold Release Notification) and submit it via email to [Redacted].

  4. OFFICER-IN-CHARGE RESPONSIBILITIES

    The Auto Detail will notify the OIC of each investigative unit on a weekly basis of all impounded vehicles for their respective unit. It is the responsibility of the OIC to ensure compliance with this policy. 

    1. The OIC shall review the list and consult with the assigned investigator for each listed vehicle to determine the reason for the hold.
    2. For any vehicles that should not be held, the OIC shall ensure that the assigned investigator or a designee releases the vehicle without delay.
    3. When a vehicle has been held for 60 days, the OIC shall obtain a specific and articulable justification from the assigned investigator in order to extend the hold.