Property and Evidence Technician

About our opportunity:

The City of Asheville - Police Department is looking for a qualified, professional Evidence & Property Technician. The purpose of this position is to preserve and store all evidence and property submitted to the evidence room. This position is responsible for assisting the Evidence and Property Manager in maintaining the inventory of property, ordering and disseminating supplies, and assisting the Evidence and Property Manager in conducting preparations for auction of seized and unclaimed property.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Receives various types of evidence and property, such as sums of money, documents, drugs, weapons, and other evidence and property confiscated by local law enforcement officials: checks for accuracy of items listed on property sheets; records and indexes evidence and property into file management system; and labels, packages, and stores evidence and property in compliance with evidence rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Maintains the chain of custody for evidence collected by the department: signs for, transfers, and releases evidence and property in compliance with prescribed security measures and applicable local, state, and federal rules, regulations, codes, and standards; enters information into computer system to complete custody transaction; ensures secure transport of evidence to and from crime and toxicology labs for testing or court as needed;

and ensures all property and evidence is preserved and accounted for according to evidence and chain of custody rules, regulations, laws, ordinances, policies, procedures, and industry best practices.

Assists with evidence/property items in court as necessary: testifies in court as to chain of custody and procedures followed ensuring evidence was not tampered with.

Receives and executes court orders to destroy evidence: arranges for destruction of weapons and contraband in accordance with regulations; and maintains appropriate records.

Prepares and returns stored and found property to rightful owner: compares stolen property reports with recovered items; contacts owners and/or transports articles to regular/bulk storage; arranges for owners to identify and claim property; verifies ownership and authorization for property release; completes necessary paperwork to return property to individuals from whom it was confiscated, to owners from which it was stolen, or other appropriate personnel.

Communicates with supervisor, other City employees, the public, court officials, outside agencies and organizations, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated time frames and per established procedures: receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate various forms, reports, correspondence, requests for examination, property reports, Chain of Custody records, property and evidence vouchers, authorizations to return evidence, court orders, and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports;

and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to…