Police Evidence Technician

City of Sioux Falls; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Therapy dog Leo

On-site fitness center

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The City of Sioux Falls is seeking an SFPD Police Evidence Technician to join the Evidence section. You will receive, catalog, store, and transport evidence, maintain chain of custody, and assist with training and court-related activities.

You must obtain CJIS certification within 180 days of hire, hold a valid driver's license, and thrive in a team environment. The role offers a 4 x 10-hour shift pattern (7:00 a.m. – 5:50 p.m.) with no weekend work and supportive benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with clerical or inventory experience preferred.
• CJI S certification within 180 days of hire.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and inventory/record-keeping software.

Responsibilities

• Receive, catalog, and store evidence to prevent contamination or loss.
• Retrieve evidence from remote drop-off sites and deliver to processing.
• Ensure evidence handling complies with laws and SOPs.
• Assist in training on evidence packaging protocols.
• Maintain chain of custody; audits and inventory updates.
• Prepare items for forensic analysis and coordinate transport.
• Manage releases to appropriate persons; answer policy inquiries.
• Maintain supplies for the Crime Lab and coordinate with vendors.
• Respond to inquiries about items held and testify in court if needed.
• Research information on unclaimed items and process notices.
• Maintain fixed asset inventory records and packaging room supplies.
• Prepare monthly intake, release, and destruction reports.
• Dispose of unclaimed items as authorized by law.
• Operate city vehicles, forklifts, and WAVE lift equipment.
• Perform other duties related to evidence handling as needed.

Skills

Typing

Data entry

Customer service

Inventory management

Record keeping

Microsoft Office

Oral and written communication

Driver's license

Mobility

Minimal supervision

Situational judgment

Teamwork

CJIS certification

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklifts

WAVE lift equipment

Inventory management software

CJIS software

Job description

Do you enjoy a dynamic, team-driven, and fulfilling, work environment?

One where you would uphold public and evidence safety in your community?

If so, the role of SFPD Police Evidence Technician may be the perfect fit for you!!

Why SFPD Evidence?

1. Robust Health and Wellness Benefits – You will have access to our therapy dog "Leo", employee assistance program, peer support team, and an on-site fitness center. At the SFPD, we care about you!!
2. Family-Oriented Work Environment – In the Police Evidence section, you will serve as part of the team comprised of 3 Technicians, and our 7 Forensic Specialists, who offer stability, support, and consistency in this section. This is a rare vacancy within the Evidence section!!
3. Paid Training Experience – The Crime Lab team authorizes will work through on-the-job training to prepare you for the position. Also, they will also facilitate your completion of CJIS certification, at no expense to you!!
4. Work/Life Balance – Annual shift bid process that offers set week dates worked. You will be scheduled for x4 10-hour shifts per week, which are 7a-5:50p with your designated lunch break. No weekends, holidays, or call-ins, are required. With that said, it is likely your days off, as a new recruit, would be (for example) Wednesday or Thursday.

No state income tax (in South Dakota)

1. Receive, catalog, and store evidence/found property to prevent contamination, theft, and loss.

2. Retrieve evidence materials from remote drop-off sites as assigned, and deliver the materials to the Law Enforcement Center for processing.

3. Ensure laws of evidence and Sioux Falls Police Department Standard Operating Policies and Procedures regarding the handling of evidence/found property are followed.

4. Assist in providing department wide training on proper protocol for evidence packaging.

5. Maintain chain of custody on all items of evidence/found property, including audits and inventory, as well as preparing reports involved with chain of custody issues (e.g., UTL reports, inventory updates, and evidence received/disposed monthly). Items may include but are not limited to, firearms, currency, and other hazardous materials/substances (i.e., blood, bodily fluids, narcotics, etc.).

6. Retrieve, repackage, check out, photograph, and prepare specific items for forensic analysis and include items to be transported to the state crime lab or other destinations as requested; evidence viewings by attorneys; transfer to investigators or the State’s Attorney’s Office; and transfer to appropriate court or other destinations as assigned. Reenter items and return to appropriate location.

7. Maintain records involving authorization and verification to release items to appropriate persons as well as answer questions and inquiries regarding departmental policies and procedures, direct citizens to appropriate department personnel.

8. Ensure adequate inventory of supplies and resources for the Crime Lab working with outside vendors when necessary.

9. Respond to inquiries from law enforcement or the public regarding items held by the department. Prepare evidence and present expert testimony in court regarding the maintenance and chain of custody of evidence.

10. Research information on unclaimed evidence/found property stored and process appropriate notices.

11. Help conduct and maintain annual fixed asset inventory records and requisitions; maintain inventory as it relates to the evidence packaging room, evidence packaging supplies, and documentation.

12. Prepare monthly reports on evidence intake, release, and destruction.

13. Properly dispose of unclaimed evidence/found property as authorized by the court or applicable laws, orders, or procedures.

14. Operate City vehicles, forklifts, and WAVE motorized lift equipment.

15. Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Graduation from high school or GED certification with a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in clerical functions including typing and data entry skills with strong customer service and computer skills. Previous experience in documenting and tracking inventory or related experience (i.e., warehouse); are desirable; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Obtain Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) certification within 180 days of hire. Possession of a valid driver’s license prior to hire is required.

• Knowledge of record keeping and inventory of materials.

• Ability to make mathematical computations.

• Ability to take initiative and work under minimal supervision.

• Ability to make situational judgments when dealing with employees and the public.

• Knowledge of modern practices and procedures and equipment required in the proper performance of documenting and tracking of inventory and supplies.

• Experience with Microsoft Office products as well as record keeping software.

• Possess strong oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships.

• Experience in public contact work.

• Ability to deal with the public tactfully and courteously.

• Must have mobility and ability to perform field duties in various locations throughout the city.