7-702 - Towing- Inventory Procedure

Policy

1. It is the policy of MPD that an inventory search of a vehicle must be conducted when a vehicle is impounded by MPD for any of the reasons discussed in P&P 7-701, or when an unlocked and unoccupied vehicle is otherwise towed by police order.

1. The purpose of an inventory search is to protect property in the vehicle, to ensure that the vehicle does not contain harmful or dangerous weapons or other items that would endanger the safety of officers or the public, and to protect the department against false claims of loss or damage.
2. The inventory search shall be for the entire vehicle, including all compartments that can be accessed without damage to the vehicle.

1. Officers shall investigate the contents of containers within the vehicle if those containers can be opened without damage to the container.
2. If a container cannot be opened without damage, an officer shall attempt to determine the value of the contents of a container by reasonable means, such as asking the owner.

2. The inventory search shall be performed in accordance with P&P 9-201 III B, entitled “Searching Vehicles.” For ease of reference, the primary obligations of an officer conducting an inventory search are included here:

1. An “inventory search” is the search of a vehicle lawfully seized in order to ensure that the vehicle does not contain harmful or dangerous weapons, secure valuable items, and protect against false claims of loss or damage.
2. A “Vehicle Impound Report” (AKA “tow sheet”) must be completed for every tow.

1. All items of significant monetary value shall be recorded on the tow sheet.
2. Officers must indicate on the tow sheet what items were removed and inventoried and what items were left in the vehicle.

3. If the inventory of the vehicle results in an arrest or seizure of evidence or contraband, a report and supplement shall be completed by each officer conducting the inventory search. This is in addition to completion of the tow sheet. The officer(s) must articulate, at a minimum, the following:

1. The legal justification(s) for the search;
2. Results of the search;
3. Any damages that occurred;
4. Any other pertinent information.

4. If the inventory of a vehicle does not result in an arrest, property damage, or seizure of evidence or contraband, the fact that a search occurred and the legal justification for it should be documented via added remarks to the call in CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) or by another method.
5. If damage to property was caused during the course of a search and/or resulting seizure, officers shall:

1. Notify a supervisor; and
2. Document the damage by taking photographs.

6. Where possible, items such as weapons, contraband, items of significant monetary value, or other items that an officer believes should be retained for safekeeping shall be property inventoried.

• Dangerous Weapon: Any gun, whether loaded or unloaded, or any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or great bodily harm, any combustible or flammable liquid or other device or instrumentality that, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm, or any fire that is used to produce death or great bodily harm.
• Safekeeping: Any item of no known evidentiary value surrendered to an employee of the department for temporary custody. The person surrendering the property has the legal right to do so, and the property will be returned to the rightful owner(s), unless disposition by the department, in a manner prescribed by law.