Applicable To: All Major Crimes Section employees

Approval Authority:  Major J. Dalton

Signature:  Signed by JD

Date Signed:  3/6/2009

1.               PURPOSE

It is the purpose of this directive to ensure all vehicles are securely stored while in the Homicide cage.

2.               POLICY

It is the policy of the Atlanta Police Department to store all vehicles impounded for further investigation in a secure manner.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              The Homicide Unit Commander will be responsible for the overall control the Homicide vehicle cage, and monitoring the use of this cage.

3.2              Homicide Unit Watch supervisors will be responsible for overseeing and monitoring the Homicide cage procedures.

3.3              All Homicide Investigators will be responsible for properly secure any vehicle they place inside of the Homicide cage.

4.               ACTION

4.1              A vehicle can be placed in the Homicide vehicle cage if a Homicide Supervisor or Investigator has determined that a vehicle is believed to be involved in a homicide investigation, and the vehicle needs to be impounded and secured for further examination.

4.2              If an Investigator needs to access the Homicide vehicle cage, he/she will retrieve the key from the Morning Watch office. After the cage has been re-secured, the key will be returned to the office.

4.3              When a Homicide Supervisor or Investigator puts a vehicle to the Homicide vehicle cage, he/she will fill out Form APD 383 (Homicide Vehicle Cage Log).  This log includes the tag number of the vehicle, the make model and color of the vehicle, the name of the Homicide Investigator requesting the vehicle placed in the cage, and the date the vehicle placed in the cage. When a vehicle is removed from the Homicide Vehicle Cage, the date the vehicle is removed from the cage will be noted on the Homicide Vehicle Cage Log. The Homicide Vehicle Cage Log will be stored on the wall in the Homicide Office.

4.4              Homicide Unit Watch Supervisors will be responsible for monitoring the Homicide Vehicle Cage, insuring that the Log has been properly filled out, and that vehicles are removed from the cage in a timely manner.

5.               DEFINITIONS

5.1              Homicide Vehicle Cage:  a secured, fenced in area that can be used to temporarily store vehicles believed to be involved in homicide investigations.

6.               CANCELLATIONS

                  N/A

7.               REFERENCES

                  APD.SOP.5040 “Homicide Unit”

                  Form APD 384 “Vehicle Cage Log”