📌 Background
If you receive a letter or contact from the police, this usually concerns a case of parking in a private parking space without authorisation.
Below you will find out why police contact may occur and how you should proceed.
⚠️ Reasons for police contact
There are two main reasons:
🔒 1) Blocked vehicle owner data (data privacy block)
You have registered a data privacy block for your vehicle owner data with the road traffic office. In some cantons, this data may not be disclosed to third parties for data protection reasons.
➡️ This means:
- An invoice or reminder cannot be sent directly to you.
- After the deadline expires (e.g. after a payment request placed on the vehicle), the way to identify/deliver the notice is via the responsible authorities.
💡 Note:
If a data privacy block exists, regularly check your vehicle for any payment requests placed on it. These already count as the first invoice.
💰 2) Non-payment of invoice or reminder
If an invoice or reminder is not paid within the deadline, the matter can be forwarded to the responsible authorities after the deadline – in some cases through police investigation.
➡️ This means:
- beppo acts on behalf of the entitled party (e.g. parking space owner).
- The responsible authorities clarify the necessary information and the further procedure.
- You may then be contacted in writing to provide a statement.
💡 Important:
Police contact does not automatically mean that a criminal procedure has already been concluded. Often, it initially serves for clarification or delivery.
🕊️ Is withdrawal possible?
In certain cases, withdrawal may be possible – provided the procedure has not progressed too far.
📋 Please note:
- Withdrawal is generally only possible before the issuance of a penalty order.
- Once a penalty order has been issued, the procedure is with the responsible authority.
Depending on the stage of the procedure, additional costs may arise.
⚖️ If you have already received a penalty order
If you have already received a penalty order, withdrawal is no longer possible.
In this case, follow:
- the instructions on legal remedies
- the deadlines of the responsible authority (e.g. objection period)
🧭 Overview
| Situation | Measure | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| 🔒 Vehicle owner data blocked | Clarification/delivery via responsible authorities | Check vehicle mail and respond promptly if contacted |
| 💰 Invoice/reminder unpaid | Forwarding after deadline expires | Check open status and respond within deadlines |
| 🕊️ Before penalty order | Withdrawal possibly possible | Submit request with reference number + licence plate |
| ⚖️ Penalty order received | Withdrawal no longer possible | Check legal remedies according to instructions |
💡 How to avoid such procedures
- Observe signage on private parking spaces
- Pay invoices/reminders on time
- Keep your address up to date with the responsible authorities
- If data privacy block is in place: regularly check your vehicle for payment requests
📝 Summary
If you have been contacted by the police, this may relate to blocked vehicle owner data or an outstanding payment. Depending on the stage of the procedure, withdrawal may be possible – before the issuance of a penalty order. If a penalty order has already been issued, the legal remedy instructions of the authority apply.