26-088 RESTVOS Mobile Application Guide: Returning Stolen Vehicle to Owner System

Department Notice

San Francisco Police Department

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.

26-088
Published: 
Expire: 
(Update to DN 23-179)

The purpose of this department notice is to confirm the continued mandatory use of the RESTVOS Mobile application and to direct members to the step-by-step RESTVOS Guide. RESTVOS Mobile is an application on department-issued smartphones for members to ensure a recovered stolen vehicle has been removed from the Stolen Vehicle System (SVS) prior to the Registered Owner (RO) taking possession of the recovered vehicle.

5-step overview for members:

  1. Officer enters information into the RESTVOS Mobile app and transmits the record to Auto Statis.
  2. Officer calls Auto Statis alerting them to the new RESTVOS record for Auto Statis personnel to review the completeness of the submission.
  3. Officer waits for either the RO or tow truck to arrive.
  4. Officer calls Auto Statis to confirm that the vehicle has been cleared from SVS prior to releasing possession of the vehicle.
  5. Officer completes final RESTVOS Mobile steps and releases the recovered vehicle.

RESTVOS shall only be used for SYS-listed vehicles that would be eligible for release at the scene of recovery, whether the vehicle is actually released to the RO or is towed (i.e., holds will not be placed on the vehicle). For vehicles not eligible for release at the scene, officers shall continue to use established procedures.

Because SVS is updated using RESTVOS information, officers do not have to return to their assigned unit immediately to complete the required paperwork. However, officers are required to complete an Incident Report in CDW, fax and document receipt of the report to Auto Statis, as required by other directives, in a timely manner.

A step-by-step RESTVOS Guide with screenshots is attached to this notice and will be available on PowerDMS. 

Members assigned to the Airport Bureau shall follow San Mateo County requirements for returning a stolen vehicle to its owner in lieu of using RESTVOS.

/s/
NICOLE JONES
Acting Chief of Police