Property and Evidence Technician

Duties

Examples of Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives property and evidence, documents the receipt, maintains the physical integrity and control and the chain of custody, and physically stores property and evidence in the designated property and evidence room.
• Prepares evidence for submittal to outside agencies or labs for analysis, including packaging, securing, and preserving evidence items, preparing required forms, and submitting forms with evidence to labs.
• Coordinates with crime laboratories; determines and justifies which evidence to refer; prepares and transports evidence including weapons, narcotics, and biological specimens for analysis and processing by others.
• Releases and purges property and evidence following appropriate Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; prepares evidence and property for auction and/or disposal upon completion of court proceedings.
• Initiates, organizes, updates, maintains, and controls access to complex filing systems and records, including highly sensitive case files.
• Acts as liaison to the court and other offices requiring the transmission of property and evidence; prepares evidence for officers and investigators for court proceedings; maintains records and tracks such actions.
• Releases property to the public; prepares the proper paperwork and prepares evidence for pick-up; completes the necessary reports and documentation of the release.
• Provides general information regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations, including responding appropriately to complaints, requests for information and service in person and by phone, and coordinating work with other City departments.
• Performs difficult, complex, technical, and/or specialized office support work that requires the exercise of independent judgment, the application of technical skills, and a detailed knowledge of the activities and procedures specific to the Police Department.
• Researches and assembles information from a variety of sources for the preparation of periodic and special reports and the completion of forms; uses spreadsheets and makes arithmetic and statistical calculations.
• Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, receipts, and specialized documents, such as letters to investigators, property claim letters to citizens, and other correspondence.
• Provides training and technical assistance to co-workers, including providing instruction on proper evidence collection and maintenance techniques.
• Determines and recommends equipment and materials for assigned operations; monitors and controls supplies and equipment; orders supplies and equipment as necessary; prepares documents for equipment procurement; participates in the bid process for needed supplies and equipment; prepares detailed cost estimates; maintains a variety of records and prepares routine reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Basic knowledge of types of narcotics and Physicians' Desk Reference books.
• Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requirements for handling and disposing of evidence with blood borne pathogens, infectious diseases, and other related body fluid contamination.
• Identifying and handling a firearm.
• Functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies.
• Police terminology and law enforcement codes.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Techniques for records management and evidence processing, including records disbursement and chain of evidence procedures.
• Methods used in the collection, tabulation, review, analysis, and distribution of evidence and property, forms, reports, and documents.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work, including police records management systems, data tracking, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
• Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Perform technical, detailed, and responsible law enforcement support work.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Organize, research, and maintain technical and administrative files.
• Enter data into a computer system and prepare written materials with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work.
• Make accurate arithmetic and statistical calculations.
• Prepare clear and effective reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• File and maintain automated and hardcopy records with speed and accuracy.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

• Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by college-level coursework in criminology, police property room, police evidence management, or a related field and two (2) years of experience in a clerical or paraprofessional position in a law enforcement agency, preferably related to the property and evidence function.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read written materials, a computer screen, and examine evidence; color vision to distinguish between evidence and property characteristics; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone and/or radio. This is primarily a sedentary office classification that requires extended periods of time of sitting; standing and walking between work areas may also be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

• Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Classification requires successful completion of a pre-hire physical and detailed police background investigation.

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