Evidence Property Assistant

Job Title

Evidence/Property Assistant

This individual is responsible for assisting with the operation of the department's Evidence and Property facilities as well as many of the functions and protocols related to property and evidence handling. This individual receives property and evidence, logs it in, stores and processes it as necessary, utilizing comprehensive procedures to assure legal, safety, and other logistical considerations, and releases or disposes of said property to appropriate law enforcement personnel, the courts, or the property owners.

This job requires various security clearances.

Scope of Responsibility:
The Evidence/Property Assistant is responsible for safeguarding evidence and property. Attention to detail and precise accountability are essential for future use of critical evidence and to safeguard against significant monetary loss.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists the Evidence and Property Manager (EPM) with researching, developing, writing and implementing department policies and procedures concerning evidence and property handling, storage, tracking, analysis, disposition and audits;
• Assists with the development of various computerized tracking systems to compile, track, maintain, and retrieve data related to seized evidence and found property;
• Catalogs, files, and records such data according to federal, state, and city requirements, as well as to departmental policies and procedures;
• Obtains specialized training and continuing education related to evidence collection, handling, and storage; legal considerations; employee health and safety concerns; inventory management; and property-tracking technology in order to maintain policies based on professional standards.
• Assists in the immediate and long-range planning process for the department's property and evidence handling needs.
• Assists the EPM with the updating, renovation, and development of the department's evidence and property facilities, including the Evidence and Property Room within police headquarters, storage areas for flammables and explosives, biohazard processing and storage units, etc.
• Assists the EPM with the order and cleanliness of all departmental Evidence and Property facilities;
• Stocks general evidence supplies and materials.
• Assists EPM with the security and integrity of the Evidence and Property Room.
• Educates, trains, and explains evidentiary procedures and property handling practices to department personnel, other law enforcement personnel, and the general public as appropriate;
• Follows strict departmental policies and procedures on evidence and property intake, classification, storage, handling, and disposition;
• Assists the EPM with the responsibility for the logging in, securing, storing, and maintenance of all evidence and property items submitted by department personnel; preserves the critical "chain of evidence"; testifies in court about "chain of custody" and other evidentiary issues;
• Assists the EPM with coordination with other police department personnel, appropriate city agencies, and the general public regarding the disposition of property—as specified by department procedures.
• Communicates and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
• Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
• Builds and maintains a positive and productive relationship with allied agencies and professionals, other outside laboratories, the state and local health departments, the district courts, investigations personnel, etc.
• Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
• Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
• Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
• When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and…