Police Property and Evidence Technician

Police; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Albuquerque Police Department is seeking a Property and Evidence Coordinator to coordinate the intake, storage, and safeguarding of property and evidence while maintaining strict chain of custody.

The role includes auditing inventories, handling destruction or release as ordered by judicial entities, and responding to viewing requests from attorneys and the public. A valid NM driver's license and COP are required, with IAPE certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in criminal justice or business administration with interchangeable experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Three (3) years of warehousing, inventory control or property and evidence handling experience.

Responsibilities

• Receive, transport, store, safeguard and gather property and evidence items; maintain chain of custody.
• Coordinate, separate and inventory property and evidence; label, enter into database and store appropriately.
• Perform daily and weekly audits of property and evidence; reconcile currency and prepare deposits.
• Coordinate destruction, auction and disposal of authorized property and evidence; release to the public as ordered.
• Respond to requests for viewing and copying of evidence; participate in appointments with attorneys, judges, and the public; present and safeguard evidence.
• Review and analyze court orders to determine destruction, release, or storage of evidence; ensure proper handling to avoid legal issues.
• Maintain communications with forensics lab staff; ensure evidence is reviewed before release, destruction or storage.
• Maintain accurate records and logs; classify evidence; ensure security within restricted areas; track evidence through proceedings.
• Follow policies and procedures including Federal and State statutes regarding storage and destruction of property and evidence.

Education

Associate's degree in criminal justice or business administration

Job description

Coordinate, receive, store, and safeguard property and evidence items and maintain chain of custody; review and analyze disposition orders to determine destruction, release or storage of property and evidence; respond to various requests for viewing and copying of evidence and provide administrative support to the Albuquerque Police Department. This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Receive, transport, store, safeguard and gather property and evidence of various categories to include paraphernalia, narcotics, currency, biohazard and genetic material, weaponry, graphic material, jewelry, audio/visual tapes and digital media; ensure incoming items are property labeled by assigned officer and maintain the chain of custody of evidence.
2. Coordinate, separate and inventory property and evidence using computerized and manual processes; ensure items are labeled, entered into the database and storage in the appropriate locations based on storage requirements and types of evidence.
3. Perform daily audits of property and evidence; to include the verification and reconciliation of intake bins, labeling, inventory, destruction, narcotics and biohazard and genetic material storage.
4. Perform weekly audits of property and evidence; reconcile currency and prepare bank deposits.
5. Act as a liaison and coordinate the destruction, auction and disposal of authorized property and evidence with various agencies and release to the general public as ordered by the judicial branch and/or Albuquerque Police Department guidelines.
6. Respond to requests for viewing and coping of evidence; participate in scheduled appointments with attorneys, judges, officers and the general public; present and safeguard evidence.
7. Review and analyze court orders from various judicial agencies; identify essential information for the destruction, release or storage of property and evidence; improper destruction or release of evidence could lead to loss of legal case.
8. Maintain communications with forensics laboratory staff; ensure proper and evidence is reviewed by laboratory before release, destruction or storage of evidence.
9. Maintain accurate records and logs of all evidence; classify evidence in appropriate categories and operate standard office equipment; maintain integrity of evidence by ensuring security within restricted area; tracking of evidence through laboratory and judicial proceedings.
10. Follow and adhere to policies and procedures including Federal and State statutes regarding the storage and destruction of property and evidence.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Subject to twenty-four (24) hour call on a rotating basis; travel to and from crime scenes transporting property and evidence with or without a police escort.
2. May testify in court proceeding regarding the chain of custody of evidence, job duties and the function of the property and evidence room.
3. Attend and participate in group meetings; stay abreast of new trends, innovations and technology law in the field of property and evidence management.
4. Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Education and experience directly related to the minimum requirements below may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice or business administration; and

Three (3) years of warehousing, inventory control or property and evidence handling experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Possession of a valid City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Possession of an IAPE Property and Evidence Specialist Certification is preferred.

Dependent on position may require the possession of a valid National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Certification within one (1) year from date of hire.

Environmental: Office and warehouse environment; exposure to heat, cold, noxious odors, biohazards, narcotics, weaponry, graphic and genetic material.

Physical: Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for light to heavy lifting and sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time; operate a motor vehicle.