NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

which will include: information on the owner/operator of the vehicle, vehicle
description (including VIN number), date, time, and location, reason for impound,
towing company used, disposition of the vehicle (Release to Owner or Hold for Court),
name(s) of the arresting/impounding officer(s), incident number, and a detailed
inventory of all items.
During an inventory of a vehicle that is being impounded, officers will inventory the entire
vehicle, including all closed containers within the vehicle, and also a complete inventory
of the contents in the trunk of the vehicle. Valuable items, contraband, or evidence found
during an inventory will be transported to Police Headquarters where the item(s) will be
impounded and a Property Receipt (PD-00-163) (Addendum F) completed.
The Vehicle Impound Form will be signed by the tow operator and he/she will be given
the pink copy for the tow company’s records. The vehicle key(s), if available, should be
given to the tow operator to assist with the towing of the vehicle.
Upon turning in the completed Vehicle Impound Form, it will be placed in the Vehicle
Impound file maintained by the Dispatch Center. The impounded vehicle may be
released to the registered vehicle owner upon proof of ownership provided that the
arresting/impounding officer has not marked “Hold for Court” on the Vehicle Impound
Form. Impounded vehicles may also be released to immediate family members with
supervisory approval. If the vehicle has been held, then the arresting/impounding officer
or supervisor must authorize the release of the vehicle. The arresting/impounding officer
shall periodically follow-up the case to determine whether the “Hold” status of the vehicle
can be removed.
H. Forfeited or Seized Vehicles
When a motor vehicle meets the criteria for criminal forfeiture and/or seizure, the
arresting officer shall notify his/her shift supervisor or Detective of the circumstances
surrounding the reason for the forfeiture/seizure. If the supervisor or Detective
determines sufficient cause exists to seize the vehicle, the arresting officer shall order the
vehicle towed to the Service Facility or other designated place of storage. The towing
company shall be notified by the dispatcher that the vehicle will be seized and towed to
the designated storage location.
The arresting or impounding officer will escort the responding towing company to the
impound location. There, the officer shall open the gate and pick a suitable location for
the vehicle to be stored. The officer shall also ensure that the vehicle’s doors are locked,
windows are closed and the gate secured before leaving the storage location.
If a seized vehicle has been ordered to be released by a court, the City Attorney, County
Prosecutor, the Chief of Police, or his/her designee, the arresting officer or Detective
shall notify the vehicle owner or lien holder of such order as soon as practical.
When notification is given, the officer or Detective shall notify the vehicle owner or lien
holder of the cost for reimbursement of impoundment and storage. The cost of
impoundment and storage will be calculated at one half the rate for storage and the full
rate for towed seized / forfeited vehicles, as prescribed by the New Albany Towing
Contract.
A vehicle owner or lien holder will be required to reimburse the City the full amount of the
cost of the vehicle’s impoundment and half the cost for its storage prior to its release.
The amount must be paid in full at the Police Department prior to the vehicle’s release.
33