Police Property and Evidence Technician

City of Albuquerque; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Albuquerque is seeking a Property and Evidence Specialist to coordinate, receive, store and safeguard property and evidence while maintaining strict chain of custody. You will respond to viewing requests and support legal processes with the Albuquerque Police Department.

This safety-sensitive role requires attention to detail, audits of inventories, and collaboration with forensics and legal staff. A related degree and reporting experience are required or interchangeable by year for

Qualifications

• Associate's degree and 3 years related experience have to be met.
• Valid New Mexico Driver's License or ability to obtain by date of hire.
• City Operator's Permit (COP) within six months of hire.
• IAPE Property & Evidence Specialist Certification preferred; NCIC certification within a year.
• Safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Responsibilities

• Receive, transport, store, safeguard and gather property and evidence; maintain chain of custody.
• Coordinate, inventory and label items; document storage by storage requirements.
• Perform daily/weekly audits and reconciliations of intake bins, labeling and inventory.
• Destruction, disposal and release of approved property with agencies per guidelines.
• Respond to viewing/copy requests; coordinate appointments with attorneys, judges, officers and the public.
• Review court orders to determine destruction, release or storage of evidence.

Skills

Chain of custody management

Inventory control

Recordkeeping

Agency liaison

Education

Associate's degree in criminal justice or business administration

3 years warehousing/inventory control or property handling

Tools

Evidence management databases

IAPE Certification

NCIC Certification

Job description

Position Summary

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

• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• Perform weekly audits of property and evidence; reconcile currency and prepare bank deposits.


• 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• Maintain communications with forensics laboratory staff; ensure proper and evidence is reviewed by laboratory before release, destruction or storage of evidence.


• 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.


• Follow and adhere to policies and procedures including Federal and State statutes regarding the storage and destruction of property and evidence.

Supplemental Functions

• 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.


• May testify in court proceeding regarding the chain of custody of evidence, job duties and the function of the property and evidence room.


• Attend and participate in group meetings; stay abreast of new trends, innovations and technology law in the field of property and evidence management.


• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

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.

Working Conditions

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.