Property and Evidence Technician; Civilian

Job Summary

Performs work under supervision of the Administrative Services Division, overseeing Property and Evidence (P&E) daily operations. Responsible for coordinating, administering, and overseeing physical and digital evidence programs, including but not limited to intake, cataloguing, security, oversight and management of chain‑of‑custody, and disposition of all evidence and/or property received by the Johnston Police Department. While this position is not primarily responsible for crime scene processing functions, the incumbent must possess working knowledge of law enforcement criminal investigative practices, crime scene processing, evidence collection, preservation, and chain‑of‑custody requirements.

This position will maintain accurate accountability of all evidence and property providing reports on a scheduled basis as well as upon demand by the Police Chief or authorized designee.

• Documents, collects, preserves, analyzes, processes, labels, stores, catalogues, and when directed, properly disposes of evidence;
• Enters and maintains comprehensive records related to evidence and property in the records management system, evidence management system, and other public safety databases to produce various reports and correspondence;
• Accountable for the security and integrity of the evidence room; responsible for preserving the critical chain of custody; may guide evidence‑related activities of non‑supervisory sworn personnel assigned to supporting role as property and evidence technician and/or crime scene investigator;
• Conducts periodic audits, inspections, inventories, and reconciliations of physical and digital evidence to ensure compliance with departmental policy, accreditation standards, legal requirements, and best practices;
• Assists with accreditation compliance, policy development, inspections, audits, and records retention requirements related to evidence and property management;
• Testifies in criminal, civil, administrative, and forfeiture proceedings regarding evidence handling, chain of custody, records, and disposition activities;
• Determines appropriate and lawful disposition of property; supports agency forfeiture and safe‑keeping processes; releases property to officers, property owners, the courts and/or other agencies; releases property for sale at public auctions, maintains an accurate accounting of all property transfers and releases; arranges for and coordinates the transfer/disposal/destruction and transportation of firearms, drugs, money, and other seized items;
• Assists the Division Commander with the management of seized property to be forfeited, appropriate legal notices to be served, collaboration with the Polk County Attorney’s Office and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office PATC coordinator; aids the City’s Finance Department and the Chief’s Office with appropriate documentation related to monetary deposits, disbursements, record keeping and legal notices;
• Maintains, replaces, repairs and purchases relative equipment; researches and recommends new equipment and technology purchases; maintains evidence storage areas; trains agency personnel in these procedures and equipment;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audiovisual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work area;
• Makes public presentations demonstrating the technical and evidentiary practices to better inform the public about crime scenes, collection of evidence, and the value of their preservation;
• Handles, stores, and coordinates disposition of evidence containing biohazardous, hazardous, or potentially infectious materials in accordance with applicable safety standards and departmental procedures;
• Works directly with the DCI or other law enforcement crime scene units to expedite evidence processing, transporting, evaluating and interpreting results, and acts as liaison between the Johnston Police Department and the DCI Laboratory;
• Develops and distributes end‑of‑month activity reports; prepares materials for various attorneys and investigations;
• Administers digital evidence management…