Property/Digital Evidence Technician

Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides direction, guidance and assistance to law enforcement officers or office workers; coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work, inspects completed work, and troubleshoots problem situations.
• Collects, receives, logs, and maintains various items, including evidence, found property, prisoner property, forfeitures, or items held for safekeeping; inventories evidence/property received and verifies that evidence/property matches documentation; prepares photographs of evidence; prepares copies of evidence for attorneys; duplicates video/audio tapes; weighs narcotics; packages items and stores in appropriate locations; maintains computer records of all items received, transferred, and returned; researches database to determine status of evidence; moves items between storage locations as needed; maintains Chain of Evidence custody at all times.
• Prepares, scan and purges documents and files in compliance with policies, procedures, regulations and public records laws. Ensures compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, general orders, rules, regulations, and standards; ensures maintenance, availability, confidentiality, and release of records to authorized individuals per established guidelines; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations.
• Ensures that activities associated with collection, receipt, storage, and disposal of evidence/property are in compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and the use of safety equipment to ensure the safety of employees and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Receives and processes written, electronic and telephone requests for public records.
• Maintains, catalogues and stores records inventory.
• Maintains, catalogues, cuts, dubs, and distributes requests in relation to body cameras and in-car videos records request in compliance with public records laws.
• Maintains public information and documents in Records Management System, automated web systems and public records database. Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, database, or other programs.
• Organizes materials according to priority; refers to established procedural guidelines in carrying out assignments.
• Testifies in criminal and civil courts and gives depositions. Prepares digital and physical evidence for courtroom presentations; assists prosecutors and defense attorneys with the review and examination of evidence; attends meetings with prosecutors to prepare for trials.
• Maintains and organizes computer databases, files, and other records; enters, deletes, researches and retrieves data; updates and purges computer files in accordance with policies and procedures; updates databases to reflect current dispositions of property and evidence.
• Controls the release of all property and evidence to authorized individuals in compliance with established laws/guidelines.
• Serves as a liaison to the court, State Attorney and Public Defender, as it relates to all property and evidence.
• Logs and signs for items to be submitted to county laboratory; transfers items to county laboratory; signs for items returning from county laboratory.
• Signs in/out all items being used in an ongoing criminal/civil investigation; prepares evidence for use in trials.
• Provides assistance at crime scenes as needed and includes evidence collection. Provides after hours availability and call back to emergencies for assistance.
• Notifies owners of found/recovered property; assists the public in locating their property; sets up appointments for owners to identify property and returns property to rightful owners.
• Supervises and coordinates the disposal/destruction of evidence or found property in accordance with applicable laws and policies; destroys weapons with assistance of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; obtains court orders to destroy narcotics; Supervises and coordinates the proper collection, storage and disposal of biohazardous waste with a private vendor; contacts charitable organizations to offer found property and prepares property for delivery to charitable organizations.
• Provides police personnel with crime scene processing equipment.
• Provides training to police personnel in matters relating to evidence collection, safekeeping, chain of custody, or related issues. Attends various meetings, serves on committees, and/or makes presentations as needed.
• Provides assistance to state/civil attorneys or other law enforcement agencies as appropriate. Performs customer service functions in person, by telephone, email, and by mail.
• Supervises and assists with the maintenance of property receipts and records associated with property and evidence; prepares and sets up files; sorts and organizes documents to be filed; files documents in designated order; retrieves and replaces files; shreds or destroys confidential or obsolete documents. Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, property receipts, evidence correction notices, subpoenas, laboratory requests, laboratory reports, requests for court orders, property records, or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, property receipts, subpoenas, laboratory reports, laboratory analyses, court orders, invoices, policies, procedures, laws, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, database, or other programs; performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment, such as backing up data or replacing paper, ink, or toner.
• Operates a variety of tools and equipment associated with work activities, which may include scales, audio/video duplication equipment, magnifying devices, evidence tape, razor knives, latent print developing chemicals, latent print envelopes, photo envelopes, bio-hazard containers, safety equipment, hand tools, and general office equipment.
• Monitors inventory of equipment and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates orders for new/replacement materials; researches new products, materials, and supplies for potential use in the department.
• Performs general cleaning/housekeeping tasks associated with maintaining evidence room and work areas. Identifies maintenance problems and initiates requests for necessary work to correct the deficiencies or problems.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, laboratory personnel, law enforcement personnel, court officials, attorneys, insurance companies, property owners, tow companies, vendors, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate. Conducts research associated with evidence/property activities as needed utilizing internet resources, or other resources such as professional property and evidence associations. Assists with development and implementation of policies and procedures for assigned area.
• Controls the release of all property and evidence to authorized individuals in compliance with established laws/guidelines.
• Works independently and makes decisions.
• Performs inspections and conducts inventories associated with the care and maintenance of department property and evidence to mitigate and control risk; ensures that discovery has been met before the release of evidence.
• Oversees the collection of administrative fees related to forfeited or seized motor vehicles; records transactions and issues receipts; forwards revenues related to unclaimed monies or as directed by disposition letters from the court system and as appropriate to the Finance Department; maintains appropriate documentation related to the aforementioned activities.
• Conducts field inspections of the impound yard and off-site storage facilities to ensure a safe and secure environment; identifies problems, needed repairs, or other situations requiring attention; reports problems to appropriate personnel.
• Coordinates development and supervision of internal and external procedures pertaining to the evidence and property functions;
• Supervises and assists with responses to requests for evidence and property from police officers, insurance companies, the State Attorney and Public Defender, private attorneys, the public and other individuals or agencies; locates and provides requested materials; assists in locating evidence and property for police officers, detectives and other personnel; sends outgoing correspondence, emails and faxes.
• Supervises and assists with the entry of data from police documentation into computer systems pertaining to property and evidence receipts; makes copies or reports, records for distribution to other departments or outside agencies as appropriate; scan and document reports/documentation.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, entering data into computer, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or prepares outgoing mail/packages, or receiving incoming mail.
• Operates a motor vehicle and Crime Scene van to conduct work activities; transports, loads and unloads various equipment and materials; performs general preventative tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment and tools in operable condition.
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS – Property & Evidence Custodian

• Single point-of-contact with the State Attorney’s Office/Public Defenders Office, evidence Units from other agencies, and the general public.
• Monitor and coordinate the workflows within the Evidence Section to ensure the efficient completion of tasks.
• Participate in multi-agency workgroups to include the Palm Beach County Body-Worn Camera and the Palm Beach County Redaction Group.
• Training and development of new Evidence Technicians, Crime Scene Personnel, and newly hired Police Officers on Property and Evidence procedures and practices.
• Monitor legislative changes, rules of evidence, and accreditation requirements to ensure policies and practices remain in compliance.
• Assist with preparation of budget planning, inventory management, and product & technology research for the Evidence Section.
• Monitor the status of outstanding public record requests

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two (2) years of previous experience or training that includes criminal justice work, evidence handling, customer service, and records management required.
• Must have the ability to obtain certifications in: FCIC/NCIC and CIJS within 12 months of hire. Knowledge of local, state and federal regulations related to public records and evidence handling required.
• Knowledge of terminology, policies and procedures associated with public document retention required. International Association for Property and Evidence (IAPE) and Certified Property and Evidence Specialist (CPES) certifications preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license. For application purposes, a valid driver’s license from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized with the ability to obtain the State of Florida driver’s license within thirty (30) days from date of employment.

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