Property and Evidence Technician (Civilian)

About the role

Performs work under supervision of the Administrative Services Division, overseeing Property and Evidence (P&E) daily operations. Coordinates, administers, and oversees physical and digital evidence programs, including intake, cataloguing, security, oversight and management of chain-of-custody, and disposition of all evidence and/or property received by the Johnston Police Department.

Responsibilities

• Documents, collects, preserves, analyzes, processes, labels, stores, catalogs, and when directed, properly disposes of evidence;
• Enters and maintains comprehensive records related to evidence and property in the records management system, evidence management system, and other public safety databases to produce various reports and correspondence;
• Maintains accurate accountability of all evidence and property providing reports on a scheduled basis as well as upon demand by the Police Chief or authorized designee;
• Conducts periodic audits, inspections, inventories, and reconciliations of physical and digital evidence to ensure compliance with departmental policy, accreditation standards, legal requirements, and best practices;
• Assists with accreditation compliance, policy development, inspections, audits, and records retention requirements related to evidence and property management;
• Testsifies in criminal, civil, administrative, and forfeiture proceedings regarding evidence handling, chain of custody, records, and disposition activities;
• Determines appropriate and lawful disposition of property; supports agency forfeiture and safe-keeping processes; releases property to officers, property owners, the courts and/or other agencies; releases property for sale at public auctions, maintains an accurate accounting of all property transfers and releases; arranges for and coordinates the transfer/disposal/destruction and transportation of firearms, drugs, money, and other seized items;
• Aids the City’s Finance Department and the Chief’s Office with appropriate documentation related to monetary deposits, disbursements, record keeping and legal notices;
• Maintains, replaces, repairs and purchases relative equipment; researches and recommends new equipment and technology purchases; maintains evidence storage areas; trains agency personnel in these procedures and equipment;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audiovisual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work area;
• Makes public presentations demonstrating the technical and evidentiary practices to better inform the public about crime scenes, collection of evidence, and the value of their preservation;
• Handles, stores, and coordinates disposition of evidence containing biohazardous, hazardous, or potentially infectious materials in accordance with applicable safety standards and departmental procedures;
• Works directly with the DCI or other law enforcement crime scene units to expedite evidence processing, transporting, evaluating and interpreting results, and acts as liaison between the Johnston Police Department and the DCI Laboratory;
• Develops and distributes end-of-month activity reports; prepares materials for various attorneys and investigations;
• Administers digital evidence management systems; maintains digital evidence repositories; manages user permissions, retention schedules, software licensing, and evidence transfers; ensures compliance with legal, operational, security, and policy requirements;
• Prepares and transmits digital evidence as required by the courts;
• Aids with open records requests involving digital evidence, including record review, redaction, and cost estimates under the direction of the Police Chief or designee.

Qualifications

• Completion, or equivalent of an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or technical school and two (2) years of experience in property / evidence handling, crime scene investigations, forensics, law enforcement, or related field;
• Professional experience as a State-certified police officer, and/or certifications in property and evidence management, digital evidence management, crime scene investigation, records management, public records administration, or related disciplines are preferred.