PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE SUPERVISOR

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONS

Under general direction, supervises and coordinates the personnel and activities of the Escondido Police Department Property Unit; supervises assigned personnel; develops training programs for sworn and non-sworn personnel; supervises the receipt, storage, safeguarding, disposal, inventory control and issuance of a wide variety of evidence, narcotics, police equipment, supplies, and property; develops and maintains a quality assurance program; establishes policies and procedures to meet national property unit standards; researches and implements new technologies to increase efficiency; and performs related duties as required.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Supervises the strict control of all incoming evidence and property acquired by the Police Department, and performs regular auditing of records, money, weapons, narcotics and their associated procedures.
• Selects, assigns, trains, motivates, evaluates, recognizes and disciplines assigned employees in evidence control, narcotics processing, inventory control, and central supply.
• Directs the receipt, storage, processing, control, and destruction of illicit narcotics within established policies.
• Analyzes appropriate state and local codes and ordinance and establishes or revises policies and procedures to ensure the legal release/disposal/destruction of property; trains employees in following the procedures and establishes control mechanisms to ensure that the procedures are followed to minimize the City’s liability exposure.
• Directs the receipt, storage, safeguarding and disposal of all evidence and property (both found and committed to the department for safekeeping), to protect the chain of evidence and ensure that property is returned to owners in the exact condition in which it was received to avoid claims against the City.
• Supervises department evidence inventory and accounts for inventory changes throughout the year.
• Reports division activities, problems, highlights, and evidence case flow both orally and in writing to department management.
• Develops and coordinates police-wide training regarding property and evidence impound storage or destruction procedures, including new policies or changes to existing procedures.
• Prepares and administers Property Division Budget.
• Supervises the ordering of all department issued equipment; maintains equipment inventory; inspects all equipment received.
• Supervises the issue, receipt, storage, and inventory control of Police Officers’ safety equipment.
• Oversees the replacement of equipment which is lost, stolen, or damaged by Police Officers.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• State and federal statutes and case law covering contraband, drugs, and the use of physical evidence in court, the rules of criminal procedures concerning time limits, discovery, evidence, and expert witnesses.
• Supervisory management principles and techniques.
• Police Department policies, procedures, rules, regulations and unit functions.
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to :

• Supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Develop written work policies and procedures.
• Prepare, monitor and update the budget for assigned personnel.
• Supervise and conduct sensitive investigations, and maintain confidentiality and security of records and information.
• Properly identify all evidence and make available in same condition as received for introduction in court when needed and with adequate documentation to establish the chain of evidence.
• Properly identify all property and return to owners in same condition as received.
• Maintain proper procedures for release or destruction of property and evidence per department policy.
• Effectively deploy and review the work of staff and Police Officers, and special investigational details.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative reports.
• Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Analyze emergency situations and adopt quick, reasonable and effective courses of action.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Recommend improvements in departmental operations and in the rules, regulations, and policies governing the department.
• Develop and implement inventory control systems to ensure that evidence and supplies can be stored, located and retrieved easily.
• Conduct detailed and organized internal audits to ensure the integrity of all evidence and assets.
• Lift and move objects of moderate to heavy weight.
• Maintain a calm and professional demeanor at all times.
• Participate in the development and administration of program goals, objectives and procedures.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Compile data, maintain records and files and participate in the preparation of clear and concise reports.
• Oversee and participate in the provision of a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, staff, vendors, outside agencies and the public.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
Graduation from high school or equivalent. College level coursework in law enforcement, public administration or closely related field is desirable.

Experience:
Four years of progressively responsible experience working in a law enforcement property room. Other occupations that include knowledge of housing and locating items may be substituted for law enforcement property room experience. Knowledge of barcoding systems is highly desirable. Experience in leading or supervising the work of others is desirable.

License or Certificate:
Related POST certified training courses are highly desirable.
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment : Work is primarily performed indoors in office, property/evidence room, or meeting room setting. CONTINUOUS exposure to dust from paperwork, noise from office and communication equipment. OCCASIONAL exposure to chemicals and biohazards associated with property/evidence processing and/or storage. Work setting is FREQUENTLY fast-paced with variable tasks and deadlines.

Physical : Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and in a property/evidence facility environment. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. OCCASIONAL side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 50 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height. MODERATE grasping to manipulate reference books, files, and manuals.

Vision : See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing : Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: May 2012
New Classification: JP/AL/Department