Police Evidence Technician

Job Description

This is a non-supervisory, non-sworn clerical and manual position providing custodial control and maintenance of security for physical evidence and other properties in the possession of the Raleigh Police Department’s Evidence Unit. Work includes the receipt, storage, control, custody, transportation of, and authorized release/disposition of all police evidence/found property. Work is performed in accordance with state and federal regulations and Department directives and with some independent judgment and initiative necessary in the completion of assignment. Work is reviewed through records, inventories, and observation of the efficiency and quality of work.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

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  Catalogs, receives, processes, stores, and disposes of evidence and found/jail property in accordance with departmental policies and legal requirements. Performs accurate and timely data entry into evidence and property management systems
• Maintains strict custody and control of all evidence and found/jail property, including but not limited to currency, firearms, narcotics, biological evidence, and other sensitive property in accordance with departmental policy, state law, and accreditation standards. Maintains evidence and found property control files and other case-related records
• Coordinates the release, transfer, and return of property to authorized owners, officers, laboratories, courts, and outside agencies. Processes evidence transactions and checks evidence in and out of controlled storage areas for court proceedings, investigations, laboratory analysis, and authorized releases
• Renders assistance to the public regarding the recovery and release of stored property. Conducts quality control reviews of evidence submissions, packaging, labeling, and documentation to ensure officers’ compliance with departmental procedures
• Researches case dispositions, court orders, and retention requirements to determine eligibility for release or disposal of evidence and property. Assists with the conduct of inventories, audits, reconciliations, and inspections of stored evidence and found property
• Assists with evidence purging and disposition processes in accordance with court orders, retention schedules, and legal authority. Handles, stores, and processes hazardous narcotics/opioids, biohazardous materials, contaminated, and perishable evidence in accordance with legal/accreditation standards, safety protocols, and departmental procedures
• Deletes items from computer systems according to established procedures and as directed by court orders or legal authority. Acts as liaison with law enforcement agencies and criminal justice partners, including but not limited to the United States Secret Service (USSS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), Wake County Bureau of Forensic Science (WCBFS), District Attorney’s Office, and North Carolina Department of Revenue regarding evidence-related matters
• Transports evidence to the State Bureau of Investigation Lab and Wake County Bureau of Forensic Science Lab for analysis and testing Picks up and returns items to the central evidence room and maintains custody files related to this process. Transports evidence to and from the State Bureau of Investigation Laboratory, City-County Bureau of Identification Laboratory, courts, district stations, and other authorized locations while maintaining constant chain of custody and appropriate documentation
• Enters firearm data into the ATF E-Trace system for all applicable firearms received into evidence and found property. Oversees or conducts the safe handling, processing, and test firing of firearms received into evidence and found property in accordance with departmental policy and ATF guidelines. Oversees and verifies currency counts and related documentation
• Maintains the security and integrity of evidence storage areas, lockers, vaults, and controlled access areas. Identifies discrepancies in evidence records, inventories, or submissions; initiates corrective action; and notifies supervisory personnel. Trains or assists in training department personnel on proper evidence submission, packaging, storage, and chain of custody procedures
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information, criminal investigations, and protected records
• Operates a vehicle during both the day and night under a variety of conditions. Responds to after-hours callouts and rotates on an on-call schedule as required

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Licenses or Certifications:

Additional Information

• Inventory procedures and record keeping
• Chain of custody procedures and legal standards governing the handling, storage, transfer, and disposition of evidence and found/jail property
• Safety procedures and regulations related to handling firearms, biohazards, narcotics, chemicals, and other potentially dangerous materials
• Proper evidence packaging, labeling, preservation, and storage techniques for a variety of evidence types, including firearms, narcotics, biological evidence, currency, and hazardous materials
• Experience with principles related to providing customer service and effective communication when interacting with the public, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and outside agencies

• Maintain and keep accurate records for inventory control
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees
• Operate computer information terminals
• Lift heavy items when needed

• Customer service and professional communication skills
• Computer applications and file system skills