1.45.040 Inventories of Impounded Vehicles.
A. The contents of all vehicles impounded by a police officer will be inventoried. The inventory shall be conducted before constructive custody of the vehicle is released to a third-party towing company except under the following circumstances:
1. If there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the safety of either the police officer(s) or any other person is at risk, a required inventory will be done as soon as safely practical; or
2. If the vehicle is being impounded for evidentiary purposes in connection with the investigation of a criminal offense, the inventory will be done at an appropriate time during the investigation.
B. The purpose for the inventory of an impounded vehicle will be to:
1. Promptly identify property to establish accountability and avoid spurious claims to property;
2. Assist in the prevention of theft of property;
3. Locate toxic, flammable, or explosive substances;
4. Reduce the danger to persons and property.
C. Inventories of impounded vehicles will be conducted according to the following procedure:
1. An inventory of personal property and the contents of open containers will be conducted throughout the passenger area of the vehicle including, but not limited to, accessible areas under or within the dashboard area, in any pockets in the doors or in the back of the front seat, and in any console between the seats, and under the seats;
2. In addition to the passenger area, an inventory of personal property and the contents of open containers will also be conducted in the following locations:
a. Any other type of unlocked compartments that are a part of the vehicle including, but not limited to, unlocked vehicle trunks and unlocked car-top containers;
b. Any locked compartments such as locked vehicle trunks, locked hatchbacks and locked car-top containers, if the keys are available to be released with the vehicle to the third-party towing company or an unlocking mechanism for the compartment is available within the vehicle.
3. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, closed containers located either within the vehicle or any of the vehicle’s compartments will not be opened for inventory purposes, unless:
a. The closed container is to be placed in the immediate possession of a person at the time that person is placed in the secure portion of a custodial facility, police vehicle, or secure police holding room;
b. The person requests that the closed container be with them in the secure portion of a police vehicle or a secure police holding room; or
c. The closed container is designed for carrying money and/or small valuables on or about the person such as closed purses, closed wallets, laptop carrying cases and closed fanny packs.
4. On completion of the inventory, the police officer will prepare a written inventory listing any valuables located during the inventory process. [Ord. NS-2159, 2011]