Property Evidence Technician

Duties

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Receives, logs, categorizes and store property/evidence impounded by police employees, including preparing evidence tags, bar coding evidence, logging information into the computer, ensuring chain of custody is maintained, and storing the property/evidence in the vault.
• Releases property/evidence to patrol officers, detectives, and other agencies for presentation in court cases, lab purposes, photographs, etc. Provide information to citizens regarding the status of their property and coordinate releases the property to owners. Releases bicycles for donation and/or auction.
• Dispose of property/evidence according to policy and law. Must stay informed and up to date on Texas Property Laws. Must be highly organized and knowledgeable of property management.
• Research Disposition of cases with the District Attorney's office, juvenile probation, municipal court and other agencies. Testify in court regarding chain of custody procedures. Responsible for scheduling and attending property hearings.
• Transfer abandoned/unclaimed property as appropriate for auction, diversion and/or charity.
• Transport disposed evidence to approved disposal sites. This will include narcotics, biohazard evidence, firearms and weapons.
• Orders and maintains supplies for the Property Division. Maintain a variety of files and logs. Conduct yearly inventories of the property/evidence vault. Conduct in-service training for new Police recruits.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

Education & Experience
Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• High School diploma or equivalent with no prior relevant work experience; however, applicants with property/evidence responsibilities are highly desired.

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Certification and Other Requirements

• Valid Texas Class C Drivers License.

Overall Physical Strength Demands

• Medium - Exerting 20-50 lbs. Occasionally, 10-25 lbs. Frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:

• Texas property and evidence laws, including legal requirements for evidence handling, release, and disposal.
• Chain of custody procedures and legal standards for courtroom admissibility.
• Criminal justice processes and coordination with law enforcement, courts, and legal agencies.
• Records management principles and inventory control methods.
• Law enforcement terminology and procedures.
• Occupational hazards and safety practices related to handling evidence, including narcotics, firearms, and biohazards.
• Confidentiality and data privacy standards (e.g., CJIS compliance).

Skilled in:

• Receiving, categorizing, logging, and storing property/evidence with a high degree of accuracy and organization.
• Researching case dispositions and coordinating with courts, prosecutors, and outside agencies.
• Maintaining strict chain of custody and detailed documentation.
• Testifying clearly and confidently in court as a custodian of records and evidence.
• Using evidence management software, barcode systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Managing vault inventories, audits, and documentation in accordance with department policy.
• Communicating effectively and professionally with the public, sworn officers, and partner agencies.
• Managing time, prioritizing tasks, and working independently with minimal supervision.

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