Police Property and Evidence Supervisor

City of Folsom; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Folsom Police Department seeks a Police Property and Evidence Supervisor to organize and supervise the Property and Evidence Unit. This on-site, full-time role requires balancing technical expertise with staff leadership and customer service while ensuring legal compliance.

You will oversee receipt, cataloging, storage, security, and disposition of property and evidence, conduct audits, testify in court, and help implement improved procedures and technology to support investigators

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years in law enforcement evidence management and property control.
• Experience in a lead or supervisor capacity is highly desirable.
• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade; additional coursework in criminal justice desirable.
• Possession of California driver license may be required; certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review staff work in property and evidence operations.
• Oversee receipt, cataloging, storage, security, preservation, and release of all property and evidence.
• Ensure strict adherence to chain-of-custody procedures and legal requirements.
• Conduct audits, inventories, and inspections to verify documentation and security.
• Coordinate release of evidence for court, investigations, or external labs; liaise with detectives and prosecutors.
• Testify in court regarding chain of custody and evidence handling procedures.
• Assist in budget preparation and procurement of supplies and technology.
• Prepare and maintain reports and statistics related to property and evidence.
• Maintain positive relationships with staff, law enforcement, legal authorities, and the public.

Skills

Chain-of-custody knowledge

Evidence management

Supervisory skills

Budget basics

Report writing

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Criminal justice coursework desirable

Tools

CLETS

Evidence tracking software

Records management systems

Job description

Anchored in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada - 20 miles east of Sacramento and about 1.5 hours from Lake Tahoe - the City of Folsom is comprised of beautiful parks and trails, and boasts excellent schools, family-oriented neighborhoods, and outstanding shopping, dining, and cultural options. Folsom is a high-tech, forward-looking city, with firms ranging from small to large international corporations. Voted by WalletHub as the Best Place for Families to Live in California, and 2nd Best Lake Town in America, Folsom is recognized for its affordability, fair weather, education, and health.

The City of Folsom is excited to announce a newly created Police Property and Evidence Supervisor position within the Folsom Police Department. This is a regular, benefitted full-time position represented by the FPOA. The role is on-site with a flexible schedule during normal business hours, Monday through Friday depending on operational needs.

The full benefits are pending adoption by City Council.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is an experienced, highly organized, detail-oriented supervisor with strong knowledge of property and evidence operations, chain-of-custody requirements, and applicable laws, regulations, and departmental policies. This individual should be capable of balancing technical expertise, operational oversight, employee supervision, and customer service in a highly accountable environment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can manage people, processes, and highly sensitive property while maintaining accuracy, accountability, legal compliance, and excellent service to both internal and external customers.

Under general direction, the Police Property and Evidence Supervisor will plan, organize, direct, and supervise the operations of the Property and Evidence Unit within the Police Department. Performs complex and specialized duties in the receipt, documentation, preservation, collection, analysis, storage, security, and disposition of property and evidence. Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and departmental policies. Provides direct supervision to assigned staff and performs related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

Receives general direction from a Police Lieutenant or designee. Exercises direct supervision of Community Service Officers, and/or other Property and Evidence staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Police Property and Evidence Supervisor is the first-line supervisory classification responsible for overseeing the full scope of property and evidence operations and, where applicable, advanced field and forensic evidence work. This class is distinguished from Community Service Officer evidence classifications by its responsibility for supervising staff, establishing operational procedures, ensuring legal compliance in evidence management, and performing highly technical and complex assignments requiring specialized knowledge.

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed.

• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in property and evidence operations. Participate in the selection of staff; provide and coordinate staff training; evaluate employee performance. Prepare work schedules, authorize leave, and ensure adequate staffing levels, including coverage outside normal business hours when required.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of unit goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Oversee receipt, cataloging, storage, security, preservation, and release of all property and evidence, including, but not limited to, firearms, narcotics, biological samples, currency, digital media, hazardous materials, and found property. Ensure strict adherence to chain-of-custody procedures; monitor and evaluate unit practices for compliance with legal mandates and departmental requirements.
• Conduct detailed audits, inventories, and inspections to verify documentation accuracy and security integrity.
• Determine appropriate disposition of property and evidence; coordinate release to owners, destruction orders, auctions, or court-directed actions and secure necessary court orders for destruction of firearms and controlled substances; ensure compliance with California DOJ Law Enforcement Gun Release processes.
• Oversee entries, updates, and internal audits of firearms in CLETS and other evidence management systems.
• Coordinate release of evidence for court presentation, attorney review, investigative needs, or external laboratory analysis and communicate with detectives, officers, prosecutors, and outside agencies regarding property and evidence status.
• Testify in court regarding chain of custody, evidence storage conditions, collection procedures, and related technical matters.
• Assist in budget preparation and monitoring; prepare cost estimates and justifications for staffing, equipment, materials, and technology improvements. Assist in the implementation of new or upgraded technology systems and evidence-handling equipment.
• Research vendors and procure supplies, equipment, and services needed for evidence operations.
• Prepare, maintain, and review a wide variety of reports, records, documentation, and statistics related to property and evidence.
• Respond to inquiries from the public and other agencies regarding property and evidence; research issues and recommend corrective actions when appropriate.
• Maintain positive and effective working relationships with staff, law enforcement personnel, legal authorities, and the public.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Essential Duties" section of this specification.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles and practices of law enforcement property and evidence management, including chain-of-custody requirements.
• Methods and procedures for evidence handling preservation, processing, storage, and disposal.
• Court procedures, legal mandates, and regulations governing evidentiary materials.
• Safety practices related to hazardous materials, biological samples, firearms, and narcotics.
• Supervisory principles including training, evaluation, discipline, leadership, and team building.
• Modern office practices, records management, and computerized evidence tracking systems.
• Principles of budget preparation and monitoring.

ABILITY TO:

• Plan, organize, and direct property and evidence operations and activities.
• Analyze reports, case files, inventories, and operational procedures; identify issues and implement improvements.
• Handle the most complex and sensitive issues with sound judgement and provide a resolution in a timely manner.
• Read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain laws, regulations, and procedures related to evidence management.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and concise reports and documentation.
• Maintain detailed, secure, and legally compliant evidence records.
• Interview, select, train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Handle confidential matters with a high degree of discretion.
• Work effectively under pressure, handle multiple priorities, and meet mandated deadlines.
• Exercise independent judgment appropriately.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work irregular hours and/or be on call when required.

EDUCATION:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade. Additional coursework or training in criminal justice, forensic science, property and evidence management, or related fields is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of three years of experience in law enforcement evidence management and property control.
• Experience in a lead or supervisor capacity is highly desirable.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

• Some positions may require the possession of, or the ability to obtain and retain, a California Class C driver license by the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Property and Evidence Management certification (e.g., California Association for Property and Evidence) is highly desirable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is performed in a typical office environment. Work may take place at offsite and outdoor locations throughout the city. (1) Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, bending, twisting, squatting, kneeling, crouching, crawling. (2) Lifting: occasionally up to 75 pounds. (3) Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent writing, reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. (4) Dexterity: frequent reaching overhead, carrying, grasping, holding, reaching, pushing and pulling; repetitive wrist motion. (5) Hearing/ Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. (6) Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone (7) Environmental: work in confined spaces and occasionally uncomfortable conditions with exposure to toxic agents, dirt, dust, odors, or items stored that may cause discomfort; occasional use of smell and touch to distinguish odors and objects.