Towing Issues: missing property, seattle pd, small claims court

Question
my girlfriend was driving my car when she was stopped by police who had car towed to local tow yard in Seattle WA.  when i went to retrieve vehicle several valuable items were missing.  both tow co. and police said each other took inventory but neither can produce one.  who is liable and how do i go about getting compensated?

Answer
Seattle PD is supposed to do any inventory, at least they used to when I towed up there many years ago.

Now as to legally and responsible for the missing property a small claims court would most likely have to decide that, as you have found each is blaming the other one.

I would try to find out the policy of the SPD about inventory of vehicles and see if you can get it in writing.  

Then try to find out if you can get the tow company policy or if the city contract between the tow company and SPD has a provision in it on inventory of vehicle contents.

That would be great starting point, and it might get someone to step up to the plate for responsibility.

Now another idea is depending on the value of what ever is missing and how easy it would be to "LOCATE or IDENTIFY" you might file a police report in it as stolen. Remember though it is hard to prove you had it also so that might be the issue unless it was like a stereo or jewelry where you would have a receipt.