G.O. 5.20 - Towing Motor Vehicles

I. Purpose

• Establishes guidelines and procedures for Norwich Police Department (NPD) personnel when towing motor vehicles.
• Clarifies that policy is for departmental use; violations lead to internal sanctions, while legal violations lead to civil/criminal action.

II. Policy Statement

• NPD officers are authorized to tow vehicles from highways or other areas when vehicles are:
  • Abandoned.
  • Inoperable (based on condition).
  • Unable to be moved due to operator status (e.g., arrest, incapacity).

III. Procedure

A. Accident Scenes

• Operator may request any wrecker that can arrive within “reasonable time.”
  • Reasonableness factors: time of day, weather, traffic impact, additional hazards.
• If no specific request, use wrecker‐rotation list.
• If first wrecker does not respond in reasonable time → dispatch next on list.
• Fatal or serious‐injury crashes:
  • Norwich City Garage must tow.
  • Vehicle impounded for evidence/inspection.

B. Recovered Stolen / Wanted Vehicles

• Investigating officer responsibilities:
  • If feasible, process vehicle for evidence on scene.
  • If on‐scene processing impossible or vehicle must be held, tow to Norwich City Garage, store in secure area.
• Norwich City Garage normally performs tow.
• Follow G.O. 6.05 (Evidence & Property Control) for impound & inventory.

C. Snow Tows

• Authorized under Norwich City Ordinances when vehicle:
  • Remains overnight on public highway during snow/sleet/freezing rain.
  • Obstructs snow removal or sanding.
• Removal prerequisites:
  1. Request from Dept. of Public Works for active snow operations, OR
  2. During declared parking ban by NPD.
• Officer actions:
  • Attempt to contact owner before tow.
  • Issue ticket for all snow‐ban tows.

D. Emergency / Hazardous Situations

• During major storms, downed wires, fires, etc.:
  • Vehicles may be towed if owner unavailable and immediate removal required.

E. Illegally Parked Vehicles

1. Blocking private driveway or school access:
   • Attempt owner contact; allow reasonable time to move.
   • If unsuccessful → tow via rotation system.
2. Ticket required for all illegal‐parking tows (per G.O. 5.09, Traffic Enforcement).
3. Fire-lane parking generally not towed unless immediate hazard.
4. Private‐property complaints:
   • Officer checks if stolen/hazardous/criminal.
   • If not, advise complainant to call private wrecker.

F. Motor-Vehicle Stops

• Offenses preventing driver from legally moving vehicle include (not exhaustive):
  • DWI, suspended license/registration, misuse of plates, unregistered vehicle, no license, canceled registration (insurance lapse), equipment violations = reckless driving.
• Tow triggers:
  a. Operator arrested & no licensed person with owner’s permission present.
  b. Vehicle illegally parked/hazardous & cannot be moved.
  c. Vehicle cannot legally move (e.g., reg canceled).

G. Safety Considerations

• Officer stays with disabled/hazardous vehicle until tow arrives.
• Offer transport for operator/occupants to safe location; document in CAD.
• No mechanical assistance (e.g., tire change) unless supervisor approves.

H. Reporting

1. Officer provides Dispatch with: plate/state, year, make, model.
2. Dispatch enters data into wrecker log.
3. Officer relays special needs (flatbed, equipment, access route).
4. Dispatch arranges tow, records ETA, updates officer on delays.
5. Officer completes & verifies Tow/Abandoned Vehicle log record.
6. Officer ensures notification to other agencies with primary jurisdiction if owner not informed.

I. Tow Company Requirements

1. Must be licensed towing business within City limits (grandfather exception for pre-Aug-2018 out-of-town firms).
2. Wreckers registered to same business.
3. Storage location:
   • Vehicles stored on approved property in Norwich.
   • Alternate sites in city require Chief’s approval (same grandfather exception).
4. Wreckers must meet CGS $14\text{-}66$ requirements.
5. Operators competent to tow safely in all situations.
6. 24-hour availability with qualified operator.
7. Must clear debris and restore road safety.
8. Response time:
   • Should not exceed $30$ minutes; otherwise next wrecker called.
   • Operator must advise Communications if >$30$ min ETA.
9. Snow emergency: availability within $1$ hour; changes reported to NPD.
10. Application rejection grounds:
    • Inaccurate/false info.
    • Under investigation by law enforcement/DMV/State Traffic Commission.
    • Under suspension.
    • Reapplication only after $30$ days post-rejection.
11. Post-acceptance duties:
    • Notify NPD of phone or operational changes within $5$ business days.
    • New owner must submit new application.
    • Violations (ordinance, zoning, DMV, etc.) may lead to suspension/termination.
12. Complaints:
    • Must be in writing.
    • Wrecker owner receives written notice; has 1 week to respond to Patrol Captain.

J. Notifying & Regulating Tow Companies (Dispatch Protocol)

1. Dispatch contacts company via listed day/night number.
2. Company must confirm operator will arrive within $30$ minutes.
   • Consistent violations can lead to suspension/removal.
3. Dispatch logs: date, case #, plate, make, model, location.
4. Dispatch relays special scene conditions (off-road, embankment, etc.).
5. If first‐up company unavailable/no capacity → call next capable company.
   • If company has capacity but unavailable, counts as their turn; moved to bottom.
6. Unavailability:
   • 4 unavailable calls in 90 days → 30-day suspension.
   • 2 suspensions in 1 year → removal.
7. All rotation companies must respond during emergencies (e.g., snowstorms).
8. Driver’s request for specific garage should be honored (regardless of tower).
9. Owner may request non-rotation company (AAA, AARP) if public safety permits.
10. Officer may stop a tow if vehicle not hoisted yet.
11. “Dry run” (no tow completed or fee) → company retains next turn in rotation.
12. Charges must not exceed maximum rates set by DMV Commissioner.
13. Tow companies must give access to stored vehicles per CGS $14\text{-}63\text{-}37b$.
14. Chief may suspend companies violating policies.
15. Officers observing violations must file written report up chain of command.