REPORT WRITING MANUAL

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

T-19
7 Apr 00

Ref: CALEA Standard 61.4.2-3

TOWING PROCEDURES
REPORTS/FORMS
PRIMARY TOW REPORTS:
Vehicle Report (536-254) Complete for recovered, stolen or embezzled vehicle tows or as
noted on the chart.
Stored Vehicle report (536-928) Complete for non-collision, non-crime related tows or as
noted on the chart.
Police Seal (536-204), if any, and the vehicles odometer reading at the time of tow shall be
noted on the completed Vehicle or Stored Vehicle Reports.
Citations Complete for tows as noted on the chart. Instructions for completing traffic
citations are set forth in Report writing Manual Insert N-2.
Garage checklist (TF-899) Complete for any OPD tow not documented on a Stored Vehicle
Report. The odometer reading at the time of tow shall be noted on the Checklist.
EXPLANATORY NOTES:
Whenever possible, check the license plate and vehicle identification number in the automated
indexes before towing a vehicle.
Modpeds, minibikes, and similar motorized conveyances are classified as vehicles (Vehicle
Code Sections 405, 406, 407, 415, and 670).
The VEHICLE STATUS column on the attached chart applies to vehicles on highways unless
otherwise noted.
Certain common Oakland Municipal Code parking violations which are NOT towable are listed
last in the chart.
Where it is indicated on the charts that CIV may tow, the term CIV refers to any
regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing
parking laws and regulations (22651 VC).
Once a tow truck arrives at the scene and performs any service for the motorist or the
Department, the tow company has a right to be paid. The motorist must pay if he/she requested
tow service or caused the tow situation (e.g., 10.28.030 O.M.C., etc.). Do not release a
vehicle at the tow scene to a motorist who has not paid for services. The Department will be
billed for error tows.

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REPORT WRITING MANUAL

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
VEHICLE STATUS

Unattended vehicle obstructing

tunnel, tube, bridge, viaduct,
causeway. Also see 22654 (a) VC

AUTHORITY
FOR TOW

22651 (a) VC

T-19
7 Apr 00
CITABLE
VIOLATION

GARAGE
CHKLST

Tube/tunnel
22500 (j) VC
Bridge
22500 (k) VC

PRIMARY REPORT

WHO MAY
TOW
Sworn
CIV

Stored Vehicle Report (536-928)

Stored Vehicle Report

Vehicle Report (536-254)

Stored Vehicle Report

Stored Vehicle Report. Tow only when the Fire

Department needs immediate access and simply
moving the vehicle is impractical.

Viaduct,
causeway
No citation
Obstructing normal traffic flow.
Creating traffic hazard.

22651 (b) VC

No

22651 (c) VC

No

22651 (d) VC

22500 (e) VC

22651 (e) VC

22514 VC

Leaving vehicle unattended on a

freeway for more than 4 hours

22651 (f) VC

No

Stored Vehicle Report

Driver is physically incapacitated

22651 (g) VC

No

Stored Vehicle Report

Vehicle which was originally

reported stolen or embezzled has
been recovered.
Also see 22653 (a) VC if on private
property.
Impractical to move a vehicle
blocking private driveway.
Also see 22653 (a) VC if on private
property.
Impractical to move vehicle
impeding access to fire hydrant.
Also see 22654 (a) VC

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REPORT WRITING MANUAL

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

VEHICLE STATUS

Driver is taken into physical

custody on VC or other charges

AUTHORITY
FOR TOW

T-19
7 Apr 00
CITABLE
VIOLATION

GARAGE
CHKLST

22651 (h) VC

No

Vehicle other than rental vehicle is

found upon a highway or any public
land and is known to have been
issued 5 or more parking violations
over a period of 5 or more days.

22651 (i) VC

None other than

5 or more
parking
citations. (5204
VC for expired
CA registration)

Illegally parked vehicle has no

plates or other evidence of
registration displayed.

22651 (j) VC

5200 VC
5204 VC

10.28.030 OMC Parking in street

or alley for more than 72 hours.

22651 (k) VC

10.28.030 OMC

10.28.100 OMC Parking in street

in violation of temporary
restrictions and posted notice that
vehicles may be towed.

22651 (l) VC
or
22651 (m) VC

10.28.100 OMC

10.28.240 OMC parking in street

during hours when parking is
prohibited and tow zone is posted.

22651 (n) VC

10.28.240 OMC

PRIMARY REPORT
Tow the vehicle as an OPD tow unless the arrestee
gives informed consent to park the vehicle at the
scene. If the vehicle itself is needed as evidence, see
page 6 for tow authority. If the vehicle is towed,
include tow authority and tow information on offense
report completed. Direct extra copy of offense report
to the Records Division Fleet/Tow Coordinator.
Vehicle Report (536-254)
NOTE: Check if last deposit of fees was made
within the last 30 days or a current
temporary operating permit is affixed to
window.
Stored Vehicle Report (536-928)

Page 3 of 7

Stored Vehicle Report

Tire marking, mileage recording, and affixing
warning sticker required to establish violation.
Stored Vehicle Report. 22651 (l) VC = Street must
be cleaned, repaired, or constructed or utilities
placed underground. 22651 (m) VC = Unusual size
vehicles must pass or temporary unusual traffic flow
is to be permitted (e.g., parade).
Stored Vehicle Report
Vehicle Tow Record (TF-914) required on Abandon
Auto Detail tows.

WHO MAY
TOW
Sworn
CIV

REPORT WRITING MANUAL

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

T-19
7 Apr 00

VEHICLE STATUS

AUTHORITY
FOR TOW

CITABLE
VIOLATION

10.28.250 OMC Parking in street

where prohibited at all times and
tow zone is posted.

22651 (n) VC

10.28.250 OMC

GARAGE
CHKLST

PRIMARY REPORT

Stored Vehicle Report (536-928)

WHO MAY
TOW
Sworn
CIV

Stored Vehicle Report

Unattended vehicle in street with
registration expired over 6 months.

22651 (o) VC

5204 VC

Unattended vehicle in residential

area with alarm sounding for 45
minutes, providing unable to silence
alarm or locate owner.

22651.5 VC

No

22652 VC

22507.8 VC

22653 (a) VC

No

22653 (b) VC

No

Vehicle in a space designated for

physically handicapped persons
Vehicle on Private property has
been reported stolen.
- or Vehicle on private property has
been reported embezzled.
Vehicle on private property left at
scene of collision and owner has not
refused to permit tow.

NOTE: DO NOT TOW if last deposit of fees was

made within the last 30 days or a current temporary
operating permit is affixed to window. (Only a sworn
member may impound an attended vehicle.)
Stored Vehicle Report
NOTE: Must have a named complainant. The tow
can be from public or private property.

Page 4 of 7

Stored Vehicle Report

Vehicle Report

Stored Vehicle Report

REPORT WRITING MANUAL

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
VEHICLE STATUS
When it is impractical to move an
attended or unattended vehicle which is
in violation of VC 22500, which
prohibits stopping, standing, or
parking:
-

T-19
7 Apr 00
AUTHORITY
FOR TOW

When there is reasonable cause to

believe that a vehicle on a highway or
on private property which is open to
the general public onto which the
public is explicitly or implicitly invited
has been involved in a hit-and-run
collision.

GARAGE
CHKLST

PRIMARY REPORT

WHO MAY
TOW
Sworn
CIV

Stored Vehicle Report (536-928)

No

Stored Vehicle Report

No

Include tow on original Vehicle Collision Report

(536-564), if available. If towing after the original
report has been taken or at the request of the
investigator, DO NOT COMPLETE A VEHICLE
REPORT. Document the tow on a memorandum to
the investigator. In addition, submit a Vehicle
Damage Report with measurements, photographs of
the vehicle and complete a Vehicle Tow Inventory to
Records Division Fleet/Tow Coordinator.

22654 (a) VC

22500 (a) VC
22500 (b) VC
22500 (c) VC
22500 (d) VC

within intersections
on crosswalks
in safety zones
within 15 of a fire station
driveway
in front of public or private
driveway
on sidewalks
alongside highway excavations
in a double-parked position
in a bus zone
in a tube or tunnel
on a bridge

Vehicle obstructing emergency services

or routing of traffic at a disaster scene.

CITABLE
VIOLATION

22500 (e) VC
22500 (f) VC
22500 (g) VC
22500 (h) VC
22500 (i) VC
22500 (j) VC
22500 (k) VC
22654 (e) VC

22655 (a) VC

Page 5 of 7

REPORT WRITING MANUAL

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

VEHICLE STATUS
When there is probable cause to
believe that a vehicle found upon a
highway or public or private
property was:
1. Used as the means of
committing a public offense.
2. The vehicle is itself evidence of
a crime
3. The vehicle contains evidence,
which cannot readily be
removed.
AND a supervisor approves the tow.
When a vehicle is parked within 7-
feet of the nearest rail of a railroad
track.
Upon reasonable grounds to believe
that a vehicle has been abandoned on
a highway or on public or private
property.

T-19
7 Apr 00
AUTHORITY
FOR TOW

CITABLE
VIOLATION

GARAGE
CHKLST

PRIMARY REPORT

WHO MAY
TOW
Sworn
CIV

For VC 22655.5 (a) and (b):

22655.5 (a) VC
22655.5 (b) VC
22655.5 (b) VC

22656 VC

Only if a VC
or OMC
violation is
involved.

X
X
X

22521 VC
Highway
22523 (a) VC

22669 (a) VC
Priv. Prop.
22523 (b) VC

Vehicles with an estimated value of

$100 or less are parked or resting on
any highway or public right-of-way
and which lack an engine,
transmission, wheels, tires, doors,
windshield, or any other part or
equipment necessary to operate
safely on the highways.

22669(d) VC

Only if a VC
or OMC
violation is
involved.

Collision
(Driver cannot remain at scene, e.g.,
taken to hospital.)

Vehicle is a
traffic hazard
[22651 (b) VC]
OR Driver
incapacitated, etc.
[22651 (g) VC]

No

Page 6 of 7

Complete Vehicle Report (536-254) if no offense

report exists. Explain why the vehicle was towed as
evidence and why evidence could not readily be
removed for submission to the Property Section
without towing the vehicle.

If there is an existing offense report concerning the

incident, complete an Additional Information Report
(536-280) using the original RD number and crime.
Route an extra copy to the Records Division
Fleet/Tow Coordinator.
Stored Vehicle Report (536-928)

Stored Vehicle Report. DO NOT tow from private

property unless the owner or person responsible for
the property signs the Stored Vehicle Report. Refer
to Departmental General Order J-3 for abandoned
auto towing procedures.

Stored Vehicle Report

Vehicle Collision Report (536-564)

REPORT WRITING MANUAL

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
VEHICLE STATUS

Collision
(Driver must remain at scene until
tow arrives.)

Vehicle which was originally

reported lost has been found.

10.64.170 OMC Obviously

inoperable vehicle parked on private
property.
10.16.070 OMC Vehicle parked
illegally on private property. DO
NOT TOW. PROPETY OWNER
MUST TOW.
10.16.110 OMC Parking in street
in violation of posted prohibition.
NOT A TOWABLE OFFENSE.

T-19
7 Apr 00
GARAGE
CHKLST

WHO MAY
TOW
Sworn
CIV

AUTHORITY
FOR TOW

CITABLE
VIOLATION

Owner
requested tow

No

Vehicle Collision Report (536-564)

Owners
agreement to
pay tow fees.

No

Vehicle report (536-254) Mark found in box 13.

- Tow found vehicle reported to OPD as lost.
- Call originating agency for disposal
instructions if the found vehicle was reported
as lost to an outside agency.
- Call Communications Division to clear SVS
entry.

DO NOT
TOW

10.64.170 OMC

PROPERTY
OWNER
MUST TOW.
22658 (a) VC

10.16.070 OMC

DO NOT
TOW

10.16.110 OMC

Page 7 of 7

PRIMARY REPORT