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SECTION: 617 TOWING IMPOUNDING INVENTORY VEHICLES

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SECTION: 617

TITLE: TOWING IMPOUNDING INVENTORY VEHICLES

RESCIND:  February 15, 2017

EFFECTIVE: JUNE 30, 2025

   SECTION_617_TOWING_VEHICLES.docx

PURPOSE            

This policy establishes guidelines to be used when towing and / or impounding vehicles.

POLICY

It shall be the policy of the Department to abide by all legal requirements for removing vehicles from roadways. It shall be the duty of all deputies to provide a safe and orderly flow of traffic on public streets.

DISABLED MOTORIST

Deputies shall respond to motorists' request for assistance when vehicles are disabled. Assistance shall be provided as quickly as possible.

If a disabled vehicle can be removed from the roadway in a safe manner, the deputy shall provide assistance. No deputy shall place himself in a situation which could cause injury to himself or others, by moving a disabled vehicle.

If a disabled vehicle cannot be removed from the roadway in a safe manner, the deputy shall request the driver of said vehicle of which wrecker service he would like to use. If the deputy has reason to believe that the wrecker service chosen by the driver cannot respond within a  reasonable amount of time, the deputy shall advise the driver that the roadway must be cleared and offer the next wrecker in line. If the driver cannot choose a wrecker who can respond in a reasonable amount of time, the next wrecker in line will be called. (Only on roadways)

A deputy shall never leave a motorist stranded without the offering to contact someone for additional assistance. If no one can be located to assist the motorist, the deputy shall assist the motorist by transporting him to a safe location. 

POLICIES FOR TOWING, INVENTORY AND IMPOUNDMENT OF VEHICLES

Deputies shall tow vehicles under the following circumstances:

  1. When a vehicle is considered to be unsafe and cannot be safely secured in the immediate area.
  2. Pursuant to lawful arrest where there are no other licensed driver present to remove the vehicle per the driver's request.
  3. Pursuant to a lawful arrest where the arrestee refuses to accept responsibility for the vehicle being left on scene. If a request is made to leave a vehicle on private property, the driver shall be instructed that the Department shall not be responsible for any damages, thefts or vandalism occurring to the vehicle.
  4. When a vehicle is disabled as a result of a traffic accident and cannot be driven.
  5. When a vehicle is part of a crime scene under investigation and cannot be processed on scene

All vehicles which are not towed via a special request, shall be removed by a qualified wrecker service obtained on a rotational list maintained by the Department. No deputy shall recommend a towing service.

When the driver of a vehicle being towed is unable to accompany the wrecker service to the towing location, a complete inventory of the vehicles content shall be completed. (Examples: persons under arrest, accident victims going to the hospital, etc...)

Vehicles being impounded by a deputy must be approved by the shift supervisor. The reason for hold must be placed on the tow log / inventory log. If no hold is placed on the tow log, any supervisor may release the vehicle as soon as possible to the registered owner.

A hold may be placed on a vehicle for a continuing investigation of a criminal or traffic offense. Once the investigation is completed or the registered owner has complied with officers, the vehicle shall be immediately released of its hold by the deputy conducting the investigation or the deputy conducting the follow up investigation. 

The term "comply" for this policy shall be defined as the registered owner being interviewed and providing a statement of the events of the investigation.  

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department shall not bear the expense of a deputy's failure to comply with this policy. 

PROCESSING OF VEHICLES

When a vehicle of an arrestee cannot be processed prior to it being towed, the wrecker driver shall be directed to bring the vehicle to the sheriff's department for processing. If the vehicle can be processed and released immediately it shall be done. If the processing requires next day processing due to weather or lighting, the vehicle shall be left by the wrecker service.

All arrestees shall be responsible for the towing of their vehicle and the wrecker driver shall be advised of such.

DEPARTMENT UNITS

When a department unit is required to be towed, the fleet manager will be contacted during daytime hours to recover the vehicle.  During night time hours the next wrecker on the rotating list will be used.