600-10 Towing

Question 1

Commercial Vehicle.

Answer 1

A truck, truck tractor,trailer, or combination thereof with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating of 10,001 pounds or greater.

Question 2

Heavy-Duty Wrecker.

Answer 2

A wrecker having a chassis rated at five tons or greater by the vehicle manufacturer and a winch rated by the winch manufacturer as capable of lifting a minimum of 30,000 pounds.

Question 3

Hooked Up.

Answer 3

According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, when a vehicle is fully prepared for transport by attachment to a wrecker, lifted in tow position, with tow lights and safety chains attached and, if required, placed on a dolly in a raised position and the only thing remaining is for the tow operator to drive away.

Question 4

Vehicle owners may contact _____ service to tow their vehicles.

Except as indicated otherwise in this General Order, officers shall always use _____for police authorized tows. Officers authorizing the towing of vehicles shall ensure they are moved quickly and safely.

Answer 4

1) any wrecker

2) contract auto wreckers

Question 5

Under emergency conditions or when there are more disabled vehicles than wreckers present, officers are empowered to…

When officers authorize tows under the above circumstances, a Houston Police Department Record of Vehicle Disposition/Wrecker Slip (wrecker slip) shall be completed and officers shall sign the slips as _____. See section 4 of this General Order for information on wrecker slips.

Answer 5

1) order any contract auto wrecker to remove any wrecked or disabled vehicle a sufficient distance to clear the street for traffic

2) nonconsent tows

Question 6

Officers shall not allow wrecker drivers to solicit any business on a police scene. The City of Houston Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful for any wrecker driver to solicit the business of towing, removing, or repairing any abandoned or disabled vehicle at a police scene by words, cards, circulars, or gestures until…

Answer 6

such time as law enforcement officers have departed from the scene.

Question 7

When officers authorize incident management tows, the following steps shall be followed:

a. Officers shall ask the vehicle operator _____

b. Officers shall direct the wrecker driver to deliver the vehicle_____

c. If the owner is capable and willing to decide on a destination location for the vehicle, officers shall obtain the owner’s signature in the _____ section of the wrecker slip.

d. If the owner is not capable or is unwilling to decide on a destination location, officers shall have the vehicle towed as a nonconsent tow by a contract auto wrecker to _____

Answer 7

a. Officers shall ask the vehicle operator where he or she would like to have the vehicle towed.

b. Officers shall direct the wrecker driver to deliver the vehicle where the owner requested.

c. If the owner is capable and willing to decide on a destination location for the vehicle, officers shall obtain the owner’s signature in the Owner/Operator’s Destination Authorization for Nonconsent Tow section of the wrecker slip.

d. If the owner is not capable or is unwilling to decide on a destination location, officers shall have the vehicle towed as a nonconsent tow by a contract auto wrecker to a police private storage lot in the police scene’s towing zone.

Question 8

For _____ tows the City of Houston does not regulate towing, towing fees, storage fees, or towing destinations.

For _____ tows the fee is set by City ordinance. There is an hourly rate prescribed for heavy-duty wrecker tows and a set fee for all other types of wrecker tows.

Answer 8

1) consent

2) nonconsent

Question 9

Consent Tow.

Answer 9

A tow by a wrecker that, prior to the arrival of an officer, is summoned or called to the scene by the owner or operator of the vehicle or by a person who has possession, custody, or control of the vehicle.

Question 10

Nonconsent Tow.

Answer 10

A tow of a motor vehicle that is an incident management tow or a private property tow and is not a consent tow.

[Incident Management Tow. Any tow of a vehicle in which the wrecker is summoned
to the scene of a traffic accident or to an incident, including the removal of a vehicle,
commercial cargo, and/or commercial debris from a crash or incident scene.]

Question 11

Incident Management Tow.

Answer 11

Any tow of a vehicle in which the wrecker is summoned to the scene of a traffic accident or to an incident, including the removal of a vehicle, commercial cargo, and/or commercial debris from a crash or incident scene.

Question 12

If the vehicle owner is present at or arrives at the scene where an auto wrecker is attempting to tow a vehicle and the vehicle owner does not desire the vehicle to be towed, no charge shall be made and the vehicle owner shall be allowed to take possession of the vehicle if _____

If the motor vehicle has been lawfully hooked up to the wrecker but not towed from the scene and the owner does not desire the vehicle to be towed, a _____ will apply. In this case, the vehicle shall be released to the vehicle owner upon payment of one-half the regular towing fee. A wrecker driver is required to tell the owner when the drop fee applies. If the vehicle has not been completely hooked up, the wrecker driver must _____

Answer 12

1) the vehicle has not been hooked up by the auto wrecker.

2) half-price towing fee (a.k.a. drop fee)

3) drop it for no charge.

Question 13

Wrecker Driver Requirements

Wrecker drivers performing nonconsent tows from a police scene shall have a _____ prominently displayed on their person. The company identified on the driver license shall match the company displayed on the wrecker for the license to be valid.

Answer 13

City of Houston wrecker driver license

Question 14

Contract auto wreckers shall be registered for _____ towing zone and may be utilized under PATSA only in that zone except as indicated otherwise in this General Order.

Answer 14

only one

Question 15

Contract Auto Wrecker.

Answer 15

Any auto wrecker properly registered with the City of Houston under a Police Authorized Tow Service Agreement (PATSA), displaying the correct City of Houston wrecker medallion, and properly equipped to tow another vehicle.

Question 16

POLICE SCENES

At police scenes, officers shall ensure all wreckers:

a. Park as close to the ____ as possible.

b. Not interfere with the _____.

c. Not park within a distance of _____ feet from a wrecked or stalled vehicle.

Answer 16

a. Park as close to the curb as possible.

b. Not interfere with the flow of traffic.

c. Not park within a distance of 100 feet from a wrecked or stalled vehicle.

Question 17

No wrecker driver is to remove or tamper with vehicles at a scene of a crash before the police investigation is complete. Wrecker drivers who tow vehicles from a scene are responsible for _____at no additional charge to the owners. Officers shall ensure the wrecker driver complies with these requirements.

Answer 17

clearing the street and removing all debris, parts, or glass

Question 18

No person shall be allowed to ignite any flammable object within a distance of _____ feet in any direction from a crash scene or enter into the area with any type of burning material.

Answer 18

fifty

Question 19

To avoid any appearance of impropriety, officers shall make a general broadcast (GB)
whenever they need a wrecker. Officers shall not:

a. _____ or _____ in any form with any wrecker company or driver.

b. _____any wrecker service (e.g., company, repair facility, towing location, or type of wrecker) to any owner.

c. _____ of any kind from wrecker drivers or wrecker owners.

d. Allow the number of wreckers at a scene to exceed the number required for the vehicles involved plus_____ additional wreckers to warn oncoming traffic.

Answer 19

a. Make prior arrangements or show favoritism in any form with any wrecker company or driver.

b. Recommend any wrecker service (e.g., company, repair facility, towing location,
or type of wrecker) to any owner.

c. Accept gifts, gratuities, or favors of any kind from wrecker drivers or wrecker owners.

d. Allow the number of wreckers at a scene to exceed the number required for the vehicles involved plus two additional wreckers to warn oncoming traffic.

Question 20

A Houston Police Department Record of Vehicle Disposition/Wrecker Slip (wrecker
slip) is a four-part carbonless form produced by the department’s Print Shop and distributed to divisions by the Auto Dealers Detail.

Officers shall be held personally responsible for completing a wrecker slip in legible print for all tows from police scenes. Officers shall not allow non-police personnel to fill out any portion of the wrecker slip except the _____.

Answer 20

signature line

Question 21

WRECKER SLIPS

Officers shall ensure:

a. If the vehicle has been _____, the repartee’s name, address, and telephone number are listed on the wrecker slip.

b. Any police private storage lot location listed on the wrecker slip is the exact location of the storage facility. The exact location according to department records is the only address the computer will accept when towing information is entered into the department’s records management system (RMS). The exception to this is in the completion of the wrecker slip for a seized vehicle. The location of the storage for a seized vehicle shall be listed as: _____. If the computer rejects the entry because the officer placed an improper address on the wrecker slip, it shall be the responsibility of the officer authorizing the tow to immediately correct the mistake (regardless of whether the officer is on or off duty).

c. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is listed on the wrecker slip. When the VIN cannot be located or is unreadable, “_____” shall be entered in the VIN field. This is a mandatory field on the Towed Vehicle entry screen.

d. When arresting a driver for driving while intoxicated (DWI), to check the “Other’’ designation on the wrecker slip and write “_____” underneath.

Answer 21

1) reported stolen

2) 1200 Travis

3) unavailable

4) DWI - unable to consent

Question 22

There are no exceptions for completing a wrecker slip on each vehicle towed from a police scene. Every vehicle towed from a police scene shall be documented in RMS. A vehicle towed to a location requested by the vehicle owner shall be listed as a ____on the Towed Vehicle entry screen.

The employee number of the person entering the information into RMS shall be noted in the Data Entry Control Number field of the wrecker slip. However, if the information is entered via mobile computing device (MCD), the transaction number shall be noted in that field instead.

Answer 22

1) stored vehicle

Question 23

Auto Dealers Detail’s Responsibilities

On a _____ basis, divisions shall send wrecker slips to the department’s Auto
Dealers Detail (ADD), which shall maintain a physical file of the wrecker slips for at
least two years.

On an _____ basis, ADD shall review the wrecker slip form and coordinate any needed
revisions with the department’s Inspections Division. ADD shall then send the revised wrecker slip form to the department’s Print Shop for issuance to divisions as needed.

Answer 23

1) weekly

2) annual

Question 24

VEHICLE TOWING INFORMATION

Officers shall enter information for police authorized tows into RMS within ____ following the time the vehicle was towed. Officers shall enter the tow information in the Towed Vehicle/SafeClear/Abandoned Vehicle section of RMS or in an incident report if one is required.

When entering towing information about a vehicle believed to be ______, officers shall provide on both the wrecker slip and the incident report complete and accurate information regarding missing vehicle parts, damage to the vehicle, and other pertinent details.

Answer 24

1) one hour

2) stolen or stripped

Question 25

When a heavy-duty wrecker is needed for a nonconsent tow, the officer in charge of the scene shall allow only a properly permitted and equipped heavy-duty wrecker to tow the vehicle. Officers using heavy-duty wreckers shall observe the following guidelines unless a clear and present emergency exists.

a.
If the scene is on a state highway, officers shall make a determination as to whether the scene is a _____.

In such cases, the officer shall determine, with the assistance of the dispatcher, if the address would result in the incident being designated as a TxDOT scene. Questions regarding this can be referred to TxDOT personnel at _____.

Answer 25

1) special incident

2) Houston TranStar

Question 26

When a heavy-duty wrecker is needed for a nonconsent tow, the officer in charge of the scene shall allow only a properly permitted and equipped heavy-duty wrecker to tow the vehicle. Officers using heavy-duty wreckers shall observe the following guidelines unless a clear and present emergency exists.

b.
If the owner of the involved vehicle does not indicate a heavy-duty wrecker preference, officers shall ask the police dispatcher to dispatch a heavy-duty wrecker. The officer in charge of the scene shall allow only _____

Answer 26

the dispatched, heavy-duty wrecker to tow the vehicle.

Question 27

When a heavy-duty wrecker is needed for a nonconsent tow, the officer in charge of the scene shall allow only a properly permitted and equipped heavy-duty wrecker to tow the vehicle. Officers using heavy-duty wreckers shall observe the following guidelines unless a clear and present emergency exists.

c.
Officers shall allow only _____ to tow a disabled heavy-duty vehicle.

Answer 27

a heavy-duty wrecker

Question 28

When a heavy-duty wrecker is needed for a nonconsent tow, the officer in charge of the scene shall allow only a properly permitted and equipped heavy-duty wrecker to tow the vehicle. Officers using heavy-duty wreckers shall observe the following guidelines unless a clear and present emergency exists.

d.
When a heavy-duty wrecker is dispatched, it shall be required to give its company name and an estimated time of
arrival that is not to exceed _____. This information shall be relayed to the officer in charge of the scene.

Answer 28

45 minutes

Question 29

When a heavy-duty wrecker is needed for a nonconsent tow, the officer in charge of the scene shall allow only a properly permitted and equipped heavy-duty wrecker to tow the vehicle. Officers using heavy-duty wreckers shall observe the following guidelines unless a clear and present emergency exists.

If the dispatched wrecker has not arrived by the estimated time, the dispatcher, at the officer’s request, shall ask the heavy-duty wrecker company for an explanation concerning the delay and for a new estimated arrival time. This information shall be relayed to the officer in charge of the scene who shall decide if it is reasonable to continue to wait for the dispatched wrecker or whether another heavy-duty wrecker shall be dispatched. If a second wrecker is dispatched, _____

Answer 29

only this wrecker shall be allowed to tow the vehicle for which it was called.

Question 30

When a heavy-duty wrecker is needed for a nonconsent tow, the officer in charge of the scene shall allow only a properly permitted and equipped heavy-duty wrecker to tow the vehicle. Officers using heavy-duty wreckers shall observe the following guidelines unless a clear and present emergency exists.

f.
When complicated towing situations are encountered, officers are advised to consider the counsel of the heavy-duty wrecker driver. If the scene officer disagrees with the wrecker driver’s suggestions, a _____shall be summoned to the scene. For further assistance the officer can contact the on-duty or on-call ADD officer.

Answer 30

supervisor

Question 31

At Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) scenes, TxDOT is in charge of heavy-duty wreckers, necessary support equipment, and the cleanup of major debris. If a TxDOT official arrives at an incident involving a _____ and deems it to be a TxDOT scene, the scene shall be considered as such by the department.

Answer 31

state highway

Question 32

An arresting officer shall always document the disposition of a prisoner’s vehicle on a wrecker slip.

Prisoners are responsible for the disposition of their vehicles unless such vehicles are subject to a nonconsent tow or seizure or are needed as evidence. In all other instances, an officer shall release a prisoner’s vehicle to a passenger or third party if all of the following apply:

a. The vehicle is ____ and _____, and there is proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle.

b. The prisoner wishes to release the vehicle to a passenger or third party that is at the scene, not under arrest, in possession of _____, and not intoxicated.

Answer 32

a. The vehicle is mechanically safe and not stolen or evidence in a crime, and there is proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle.

b. The prisoner wishes to release the vehicle to a passenger or third party that is at the scene, not under arrest, in possession of a valid driver license, and not intoxicated.

Question 33

An officer may, at the officer’s discretion, give an arrested person the option of leaving the arrestee’s vehicle at the scene of the arrest or location. The vehicle may be left at the scene if _____. If the vehicle is to remain on private property, permission shall be obtained from the _____.

Answer 33

1) it is legally parked

2) property’s owner or manager

Question 34

The prisoner shall sign the wrecker slip in the appropriate place to indicate the choice of disposition. If the prisoner is not present or is unwilling or unable to select from the disposition alternatives, the arresting officer shall…

Answer 34

have the vehicle towed as a nonconsent tow by a contract auto wrecker to a police private storage lot in the arrest scene’s towing zone.

Question 35

Officers shall not operate a prisoner’s vehicle unless an emergency or exigent circumstance exists. If an officer must move a prisoner’s vehicle, it shall be moved only as far as _____. Officers shall not drive any type of vehicle they are not licensed by the state of Texas to operate.

Answer 35

necessary to make the situation safe or to accomplish the police mission

Question 36

Whenever an officer authorizes a nonconsent tow of a prisoner’s vehicle, the officer shall _____ and shall complete a wrecker slip. A detailed inventory list shall be written on the wrecker slip. Officers shall be specific in identifying inventoried items. General terms such as “miscellaneous property” shall not be used.

Answer 36

personally conduct an inventory of items in the vehicle including any and all containers not secured by a lock

Question 37

An officer may contact the Records Division’s Staff Review Section if the officer:

a. Has questions regarding entering information on the _____.

b. Has reported a stolen or recovered vehicle that urgently needs to be entered into or removed from _____. The incident report must be “owner approved” before Staff Review is contacted.

c. Has reported a stolen vehicle that is equipped with a _____

Answer 37

a. Has questions regarding entering information on the vehicle screen in RMS.

b. Has reported a stolen or recovered vehicle that urgently needs to be entered into or removed from TCIC/NCIC. The incident report must be “owner approved” before Staff Review is contacted.

c. Has reported a stolen vehicle that is equipped with a LoJack® vehicle recovery system.

Question 38

If an officer needs to report towing information for a stolen vehicle and is not able to do so through RMS, the officer shall contact the _____ or their tow line.

Answer 38

Records Division’s Auto Theft Section

Question 39

Whenever a stolen vehicle or a vehicle suspected of being stolen is recovered (whether or not it is occupied or operable), the recovering officer shall:

a. Attempt to contact the owner or complainant. The contact or attempted contact shall be _____

b. Advise the owner of the location and condition of the vehicle and _____

c. Attempt to _____ at the scene before the vehicle is removed.

d. Have the vehicle removed as a nonconsent tow if_____

Answer 39

1) documented in the narrative of the officer’s report.

2) determine how the vehicle is to be handled.

3) lift or have fingerprints lifted

4) the owner cannot be contacted or indicates no preference for disposition.

Question 40

TOWING STOLEN VEHICLES

If the owner or complainant is contacted and indicates a preference for disposition of the vehicle, the officer shall wait no longer than _____ for the owner or the owner’s towing choice to arrive. If the owner or the towing choice has not arrived within the allotted time, the officer shall have the vehicle removed as a nonconsent tow unless _____

Answer 40

1) 45 minutes

2) the owner has chosen to leave it at the scene.

Question 41

Vehicles Stolen Outside of Houston

In addition to the above procedures, officers shall follow the below guidelines when a vehicle stolen outside the city limits of Houston is recovered inside the city limits of Houston. The recovering officer should have the vehicle towed by a contract auto wrecker to a _____. If the reporting agency requests a forensic examination, the officer shall request a City wrecker to transport the vehicle to the _____. The officer should also provide the vehicle’s storage location to the reporting agency that submitted the TCIC/NCIC stolen entry.

Answer 41

1) police private storage lot

2) appropriate facility

Question 42

Vehicles stolen outside the city limits of Houston and recovered inside Houston shall NOT be towed to the _____

Answer 42

Vehicle Examination Building (VEB).

Question 43

Whenever a vehicle is found and it is stolen or suspected of being stolen, officers shall do one of the following, as applicable:

a. Generate a report titled_____ and indicate within the body of the report the vehicle’s disposition and why it is believed to be stolen.

b. Supplement the stolen vehicle report (or initiate a report if _____).

Answer 43

1) Investigation Auto Theft

2) the theft occurred outside of Houston

Question 44

When a suspected stolen vehicle is found on private property and the vehicle owner cannot be contacted, it is up to the _____ to remove the vehicle as a private property tow. As a courtesy to the owner or manager, officers may summon a wrecker, but shall not tow the vehicle under police authority except as outlined in section 11 of this General Order. In other circumstances, officers shall consult a supervisor to determine if any further action shall be taken.

Answer 44

private property owner or manager

Question 45

If an officer locates an unoccupied vehicle in which the VIN has been removed, obliterated, or changed, the officer shall _____.

The officer shall follow all procedures described above for the disposition of stolen vehicles. If the vehicle is occupied, is involved in a TxDOT controlled scene, cannot be stored at the Property Division’s VIL, or is claimed to be owned by a person, the officer shall consult a supervisor in the Auto Theft Division before taking further action.

Answer 45

have the vehicle towed by a City wrecker to the Property Division’s Vehicle Impound Lot (VIL)

Question 46

A patrol unit shall be dispatched to each vehicle fire at the same time the Houston Fire Department is notified. If arson is suspected, the Fire Department will notify its Arson Division. If police personnel arrive before arson investigators, the scene shall be secured as in other criminal investigations. After the arson investigation has been completed, the police officer in charge of the scene shall have the vehicle_____.

Officers shall also make a supplement recovery report, initiate an original theft report, or make an Investigation Auto Theft report if the vehicle has not been reported as a stolen vehicle. Officers shall provide arson investigators with the department’s
incident number and shall obtain the_____ for inclusion in the initial or supplement report.

Answer 46

1) towed to the department’s VIL by a City wrecker

2) Arson Division’s case number

Question 47

When no criminal activity is suspected and a burned vehicle can be identified by the VIN, the officer on the scene shall contact the _____ for authorization for the burned vehicle to be towed to a location other than the VIL. Upon receiving such authorization, the burned vehicle shall be towed in a manner consistent with this General Order.

Answer 47

Auto Theft Division

Question 48

The City of Houston has a towing company under contract for the towing and storage of all seized vehicles. When a vehicle is identified for seizure, officers shall contact the dispatcher on the appropriate channel and request a wrecker for a seized vehicle. Only the approved contracted towing company and not a City owned wrecker shall be utilized for these tows. Officers shall continue to complete a wrecker slip for the seized vehicle, marking it “07 Other Reason: Seizure.” Officers shall enter “_____” as the location of storage. See General Order 700-08, Asset Seizure and Forfeiture, for additional information regarding the towing and storage of seized vehicles.

Answer 48

1200 Travis

Question 49

A suspicious vehicle is any vehicle the investigating officer (at the time the incident report is made) has reason to believe was _____, but no suspects are known to be directly related to both the offense and the vehicle.

It is the responsibility of the appropriate investigative division to supplement incident reports to maintain a suspicious vehicle listing. These supplement reports shall be submitted every _____ days or sooner.

Answer 49

1) involved in an offense

2) 60 calendar

Question 50

Suspects directly related to a suspicious vehicle must be listed in an incident report before the vehicle can be classified as a wanted vehicle. When a wanted vehicle is located, any occupants in the vehicle shall be detained while the officers_____. If authorization is obtained from the contacted division, the officers shall arrest the occupants. If the vehicle owner is arrested, the vehicle shall be handled according to the guidelines outlined in this General Order.

If there are no occupants in the wanted vehicle, the vehicle shall be kept under surveillance and the appropriate division contacted to determine whether the vehicle shall be towed or kept under surveillance so the occupants can be apprehended.

Answer 50

contact the appropriate division for instructions

Question 51

Vehicle Creating a Traffic Hazard

When a vehicle is blocking a moving lane of traffic or is causing an obvious traffic hazard, the officer shall have the vehicle _____

Answer 51

removed as a nonconsent tow.

Question 52

Abandoned Vehicle (No Traffic Hazard)

When a vehicle is parked on a public street, but presents no traffic hazard, there shall be
a minimum of _____parking tickets issued against the vehicle for being parked in excess
of 24 hours on a public street before the vehicle is removed as a nonconsent tow.

Answer 52

two

Question 53

Time Limit for Trailer Parking

Trailers of any kind (e.g., semi, pole, or house), either attached or unattached to a
motor vehicle, may be towed if left on a public street of the city for a period of time
in excess of _____. The exception to this is if the trailer is in the process of being
loaded or unloaded. These tows shall be considered nonconsent tows.

Answer 53

two hours

Question 54

Commercial Vehicle Parking

Commercial vehicles shall not be parked ont he city streets between ____ hours. The exception to this is if the vehicle is in the process of being loaded or unloaded.
These tows shall be considered nonconsent tows.

Answer 54

0200 and 0600

Question 55

Large Vehicle Restrictions

Large vehicles are not allowed to park on any street or highway in any residential
district and shall be towed as nonconsent tows.

Exceptions to the above include any situation in which the vehicle is:

a. In the process of being _____

b. Performing a _____visit.

c. Leased or borrowed and parked for a period of not more than _____

Answer 55

a. In the process of being loaded or unloaded.

b. Performing a service visit.

c. Leased or borrowed and parked for a period of not more than 72 hours.

Question 56

Abandoned or Junked Vehicle on Private Property

Vehicles on private property believed to be abandoned or junked shall be reported to
_____ for their processing and handling.

Answer 56

City of Houston Division of Inspections and Public Service

Question 57

Vehicle Towed from a Freeway (SafeClear)

Officers are authorized to have a vehicle removed immediately from a major freeway including entrance or exit ramps, whether the vehicle is in a moving lane of traffic or
not. These tows shall be considered nonconsent tows subject to the guidelines of
SafeClear. Any vehicle towed from a police scene on a freeway, shall be towed by one
of the following.

a. A _____wrecker.

b. A tow operator who is called to the scene by the vehicle owner and who arrives at the location of such vehicle before the_____. The tow operator may include, but is not limited to, an auto wrecker operated by an automobile club, insurance company, or other person having a contractual obligation to provide the vehicle owner with towing services.

c. Any contract auto wrecker operator if _____

Answer 57

1) SafeClear

2) law enforcement officer in charge of the scene directs the removal of the vehicle

3) a SafeClear wrecker is unavailable.

Question 58

Vehicle Left at Expired City Parking Meter

If a vehicle has been left for longer than _____ from the meter and has accumulated ____ tickets, the officer is authorized to have the vehicle removed as a nonconsent tow.

Answer 58

1) five times the maximum time limit that may be purchased

2) five

Question 59

Vehicle Left Downtown

A vehicle left downtown shall _____ authorized by a police officer to be towed as a nonconsent tow.

Answer 59

not be treated differently than any other vehicle

Question 60

Vehicle for Sale on Public or Private Property

Only _____ shall tow vehicles for sale on public or private property.

Answer 60

ADD or specifically trained Differential Response Team officers

[Auto Dealers Detail (ADD)]

Question 61

EXCEPTIONS

Unless indicated otherwise in this section, City of Houston wrecker ordinances and the
above department towing policies do not apply in any of the following situations.

a. The wrecker is owned by the owner of the vehicle being towed by the wrecker. This exception does not apply to wreckers merely under contract to the same owner. Officers shall _____ or company listed on the registration form or current bill of sale before allowing a wrecker to operate under this exception.

b. The vehicle is being towed as part of a lawful repossession pursuant to a request by _____

c. The wrecker’s owner does not have a place of business in the city of Houston, the wrecker is not used to perform any nonconsent tows in the city of Houston, and the wrecker is_____

Answer 61

1) ensure both vehicles are owned by the same person

2) the lien holder.

3) operated in accordance with applicable state laws.

Question 62

Contract Auto Wrecker Exceptions

Contract auto wreckers are allowed to operate outside of their assigned towing zones in any of the following situations:

a. A _____ calls the auto wrecker to the scene.

b. The officer in charge of the scene ____for a contract auto wrecker. Officers are allowed to use or call contract auto wreckers out of their assigned towing zones only when one or more of the following situations exist:

1. An emergency condition exists as stated in section 1, subsection “Emergency Use” of this General Order.
2. The situation is a nonconsent tow, there are no area contract auto wreckers available, and _____

Answer 62

1) vehicle owner

2) GBs

3) no area contract auto wreckers shall become available.

Question 63

Incident Management Tow.

Answer 63

Any tow of a vehicle in which the wrecker is summoned to the scene of a traffic accident or to an incident, including the removal of a vehicle, commercial cargo, and/or commercial debris from a crash or incident scene.

Question 64

DISPUTES BETWEEN WRECKER DRIVERS AND OFFICERS

Should a dispute arise between a wrecker driver and an officer at a police scene, officers
shall adhere to the following guidelines:

a. Complaints regarding the officer’s selection shall not be _____. No delay or disruption of the scene investigation shall be tolerated. Complaints may be made only after the scene has cleared. The officer’s decision shall be subject to review by the appropriate authority.

b. Officers authorizing the tow shall _____

c. If needed, the on-scene officer or supervisor may contact _____at its 24-hour telephone number.

d. If an on-duty or on-call ADD officer is contacted regarding an incident, the ADD officer shall review each situation to determine the _____

e. An on-duty or on-call ADD officer shall be notified of any _____. Examples include, any incident involving criminal activity, multiple City ordinance violations, or any incident the on-scene officer determines to be serious.

f. Officers shall not confiscate a wrecker driver license or City of Houston wrecker medallion. The suspension or revocation of wrecker driver licenses shall be handled
by ____.

g. Any complaint or dispute with a wrecker driver or wrecker company shall be communicated to the ADD using the _____ available on the department’s Intranet Portal.

Answer 64

1) argued at the scene

2) contact their immediate supervisor to make the scene if warranted.

3) ADD

4) most efficient and effective method to handle the incident.

5) serious incident involving a wrecker company or wrecker driver

6) ADD

7) Police Officer’s Wrecker Complaint form

[Auto Dealers Detail (ADD)]