14B NCAC 07A .0111      VEHICLE INVENTORY

(a)  A member who authorizes the transportation and storage of a vehicle in the absence of Form Letter HP-305 signed by the owner, operator, or legal possessor shall take precautions to protect all property in and on the vehicle prior to removal from the scene.

(b)  A Form Letter HP-305 signed by the owner, operator, or legal possessor is documentation that the vehicle was not removed from the possession of such person; therefore, the completion of a vehicle inventory is not required.

(c)  The storage and security of the vehicle and its contents become the responsibility of the wrecker service when the vehicle is towed from the scene and stored at the wrecker service storage facility. If the vehicle is to be stored at a Patrol facility, the storing member shall conduct an inventory, itemizing all property contained in the vehicle.

(d)  All vehicles inventoried pursuant to this Rule shall be inventoried at the time of storage unless an emergency situation dictates otherwise. The inventory shall list all items that are toxic, explosive, flammable, or of monetary value. Unless locked or securely wrapped, all containers in the vehicle, whether open or closed, shall be opened to determine contents unless evidence is discovered to indicate that opening the container may subject the member to exposure of toxic, flammable, or explosive substances. Locked or securely wrapped luggage, packages, and containers shall not be opened except as otherwise authorized by law or by owner consent, but shall be indicated on the inventory list as locked or securely wrapped items. Locked or securely wrapped containers (luggage, attaché cases, etc.) shall be considered as units of inventory and shall not be searched without obtaining consent or a search warrant unless there is evident danger to the member or public. The member shall seek to obtain a search warrant when there is probable cause for a search of the vehicle or its contents when time and conditions permit.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 20-184; 20-187; 20-188;

Temporary Adoption Eff. June 9, 2000;

Eff. April 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. July 18, 2008;

Transferred from 14A NCAC 09H .0316 Eff. June 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. January 1, 2019.