Evidence/Supply Technician

City-of-Las-Cruces; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Las Cruces Police Department is seeking an Evidence Technician responsible for receiving, recording, and maintaining the integrity of all police evidence. The role ensures proper documentation of supplies and materials used by the department.

The position requires working in a high-pressure environment with shift work, on-call status, and occasional field processing of crime scenes. Candidates must meet minimum qualifications and complete required training within one year of hire.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a high school diploma and two years of experience in photography, digital and video camera operation.
• Combination of education, experience and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces Policy.
• Must successfully complete basic crime scene processing class, photography training and IR-8000 key operator training within one (1) year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Preserve and maintain all evidence in the chain of custody for court purposes in accordance with all department operating procedures without loss or damage to evidence.
• Receive, tag, record and securely store all evidence received according to department procedures and to release evidence upon appropriate release from police officers/detectives or public owner when the case has been adjudicated; inventories receipts, and ensures all evidence received correlates with the incoming paperwork; transports to a storage area and records the storage location on evidence records to ensure security and ease of retrieval.
• Maintains records of stolen property or contraband including the description, identification, value or cost, data acquired, location acquired, name of custodian, date of inventory, condition and disposition.
• Conducts unit inventories of property records and traces and reconciles all discrepancies. If a discrepancy cannot be reconciled, must immediately report such issue to the Records Supervisor
• Respectfully responds to calls from the general public pertaining to the disposition of evidence in police custody and appropriately arranges for discharge of material to the public upon adjudication.
• Responsible to inventory, order, receive, store, issue and ship materials, supplies and equipment used by the Police Department to maintain necessary supplies for daily operations; maintains liaison with the City Purchasing Agency to order and receive necessary materials for police operations; compiles stock control records, consumption data, and related factors to establish appropriate stock levels or replenishment needs; completes ordering of all equipment, materials, and supplies used by the Police Department.
• Travels to and completes field crime scene processing; uses digital cameras, video equipment, and measuring and diagramming techniques following established methods and procedures; searches for and recovers latent fingerprint evidence ; collects, preserves and packages different types of evidence in accordance with established procedures; produces print/impression evidence by casting and/or photographing to scale impressions to use as investigative aids.
• Acts as a key operator for the IR-8000 Breathalyzer in support of law enforcement efforts; checks calibration of the IR-8000 weekly and performs routine maintenance; runs proficiencies received from the Scientific Laboratory; testifies in court in reference to the accuracy and calibration of the instrument; prepares and presents various special and recurring reports; appears in court related to evidence collection techniques, preservation techniques, storage techniques, photographs and latent prints.
• Cross trains with Identification office. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Evidence handling

Photography

Court testimony

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma

Tools

IR-8000 Breathalyzer

Digital cameras

Video equipment

Job description

Position is responsible to receive, record and maintain the integrity of all police evidence. Responsible for ensuring that supplies and materials used by the department are documented and maintained.

Work Situation Factors

Significant personal demands include shift-work, 24/7 on-call status including weekends and holidays; Photographing at scenes of accidents, injuries and crimes; fast-paced work environment; competing demands; strict deadlines; multiple tasks; exposure to the criminal element; required to travel out of town sometimes without advanced notice for special assignments and classes; attentiveness and intensity are critical to ensure accuracy and minimize errors; violent criminal activity will be observed and photographed including but not limited to sexual abuse, child abuse, homicides, suicides and assaults; may be subjected to offensive language. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Environmental Factors

Position functions in an office environment 70% of the time with 30% of the time out of the office which will expose the incumbent to unpleasant scenes of accidents, injuries and crimes which tend to be noisy. Frequently exposed to biohazards, blood, rape kits, gasoline, narcotics, fumes, odors, gases, and dusts. Safety gloves, coveralls, protective footwear, and a bullet proof vest are utilized.

Physical Factors

Physical demands are substantial and involve balancing, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, squatting and push/pull up to 33% of each shift. Ability to climb ladders, fences, walls and walk on elevated and uneven surfaces. Reaching above shoulder height up to 66% of each shift. Writing, keyboarding, using a mouse and filing 1-2 hours each day. Uses standard hand tools occasionally and utilizes fine motor skills frequently to count coins. Lifting ability from floor to waist level to a maximum of 35 pounds with the use of a back support belt. Weights in excess of 35 pounds are moved using a dolly. Reaching is frequent from below, above and even with shoulder height. Near acuity and color perception is essential to work with small evidence samples.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Full-time regular, non-exempt

This position is graded at EVID-1.

• Preserve and maintain all evidence in the chain of custody for court purposes in accordance with all department operating procedures without loss or damage to evidence. Responsible to receive, tag, record and securely store all evidence received according to department procedures and to release evidence upon appropriate release from police officers/detectives or public owner when the case has been adjudicated; inventories receipts, and ensures all evidence received correlates with the incoming paperwork; transports to a storage area and records the storage location on evidence records to ensure security and ease of retrieval.
• Maintains records of stolen property or contraband including the description, identification, value or cost, data acquired, location acquired, name of custodian, date of inventory, condition and disposition.
• Conducts unit inventories of property records and traces and reconciles all discrepancies. If a discrepancy cannot be reconciled, must immediately report such issue to the Records Supervisor
• Respectfully responds to calls from the general public pertaining to the disposition of evidence in police custody and appropriately arranges for discharge of material to the public upon adjudication.
• Responsible to inventory, order, receive, store, issue and ship materials, supplies and equipment used by the Police Department to maintain necessary supplies for daily operations; maintains liaison with the City Purchasing Agency to order and receive necessary materials for police operations; compiles stock control records, consumption data, and related factors to establish appropriate stock levels or replenishment needs; completes ordering of all equipment, materials, and supplies used by the Police Department.
• Travels to and completes field crime scene processing; uses digital cameras, video equipment, and measuring and diagramming techniques following established methods and procedures; searches for and recovers latent fingerprint evidence ; collects, preserves and packages different types of evidence in accordance with established procedures; produces print/impression evidence by casting and/or photographing to scale impressions to use as investigative aids.
• Acts as a key operator for the IR-8000 Breathalyzer in support of law enforcement efforts; checks calibration of the IR-8000 weekly and performs routine maintenance; runs proficiencies received from the Scientific Laboratory; testifies in court in reference to the accuracy and calibration of the instrument; prepares and presents various special and recurring reports; appears in court related to evidence collection techniques, preservation techniques, storage techniques, photographs and latent prints.
• Cross trains with Identification office. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Equivalent to a high school diploma and two (2) years experience in photography, digital and video camera operation, preferably in government or law enforcement environment. A combination of education, experience and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces Policy. Must successfully complete basic crime scene processing class, photography training and IR-8000 key operator training within one (1) year of hire.

Valid driver's license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. No felony convictions. Must pass a thorough background investigation.

Basic knowledge of rules of evidence and police procedures. Organize, plan and prioritize investigation processes. Work effectively with all types of crime and accident scenes with detectives, officers and the Office of the Medical Investigator. Knowledge of personal computers and proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Maturity of judgment and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Ability to use photographic techniques and procedures under various lighting conditions; analyze situations quickly and objectively; recognize actual and potential dangers and to determine proper course of action. Ability to cope with stressful situations calmly, fairly, tactfully and with respect for co-workers and public; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Ability to adhere to established policies and procedures.