Evidence/Supply Technician

City of Las Cruces•Las Cruces, NM

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for receiving, recording, and maintaining the integrity of all police evidence. The role also ensures that supplies and materials used by the department are documented and maintained. The work involves significant personal demands, including shift-work, 24/7 on-call status, photographing crime scenes, and working in a fast-paced environment with competing demands and strict deadlines. The incumbent will be exposed to the criminal element, may travel out of town without advanced notice, and must maintain attentiveness and intensity to ensure accuracy. Violent criminal activity will be observed and photographed, and the position may be subjected to offensive language. Regular attendance is essential, and the position is subject to drug testing. The role functions in an office environment 70% of the time and 30% out of the office, exposing the incumbent to unpleasant scenes and potential biohazards such as blood, rape kits, gasoline, narcotics, fumes, odors, gases, and dusts. Safety equipment including gloves, coveralls, protective footwear, and a bulletproof vest are utilized. Physical demands are substantial, involving balancing, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, squatting, and push/pulling. The ability to climb ladders, fences, and walls, and walk on elevated and uneven surfaces is required. Reaching above shoulder height, writing, keyboarding, using a mouse, and filing are part of the daily tasks. Fine motor skills are frequently used for tasks like counting coins. Lifting up to 35 pounds from floor to waist level is required, with assistance for heavier items. Near acuity and color perception are essential for working with small evidence samples.

Requirements

Equivalent to a high school diploma
Two (2) years experience in photography, digital and video camera operation, preferably in government or law enforcement environment.
A combination of education, experience and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces Policy.
Must successfully complete basic crime scene processing class, photography training and IR-8000 key operator training within one (1) year of hire.
Valid driver's license is required.
Acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.
No felony convictions.
Must pass a thorough background investigation.
Basic knowledge of rules of evidence and police procedures.
Organize, plan and prioritize investigation processes.
Work effectively with all types of crime and accident scenes with detectives, officers and the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Knowledge of personal computers and proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Maturity of judgment and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to use photographic techniques and procedures under various lighting conditions.
Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively.
Ability to recognize actual and potential dangers and to determine proper course of action.
Ability to cope with stressful situations calmly, fairly, tactfully and with respect for co-workers and public.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Ability to adhere to established policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Preserve and maintain all evidence in the chain of custody for court purposes in accordance with all department operating procedures without loss or damage to evidence.
Receive, tag, record and securely store all evidence received according to department procedures and release evidence upon appropriate release from police officers/detectives or public owner when the case has been adjudicated.
Inventory receipts, and ensure all evidence received correlates with the incoming paperwork.
Transport evidence to a storage area and record the storage location on evidence records to ensure security and ease of retrieval.
Maintain records of stolen property or contraband including the description, identification, value or cost, data acquired, location acquired, name of custodian, date of inventory, condition and disposition.
Conduct unit inventories of property records and trace and reconcile all discrepancies. Immediately report any unreconciled discrepancies to the Records Supervisor.
Respond to calls from the general public pertaining to the disposition of evidence in police custody and appropriately arrange for discharge of material to the public upon adjudication.
Inventory, order, receive, store, issue and ship materials, supplies and equipment used by the Police Department to maintain necessary supplies for daily operations.
Maintain liaison with the City Purchasing Agency to order and receive necessary materials for police operations.
Compile stock control records, consumption data, and related factors to establish appropriate stock levels or replenishment needs.
Complete ordering of all equipment, materials, and supplies used by the Police Department.
Travel to and complete field crime scene processing; use digital cameras, video equipment, and measuring and diagramming techniques following established methods and procedures.
Search for and recover latent fingerprint evidence.
Collect, preserve and package different types of evidence in accordance with established procedures.
Produce print/impression evidence by casting and/or photographing to scale impressions to use as investigative aids.
Act as a key operator for the IR-8000 Breathalyzer in support of law enforcement efforts; check calibration of the IR-8000 weekly and perform routine maintenance.
Run proficiencies received from the Scientific Laboratory.
Testify in court in reference to the accuracy and calibration of the instrument.
Prepare and present various special and recurring reports.
Appear in court related to evidence collection techniques, preservation techniques, storage techniques, photographs and latent prints.
Cross train with Identification office.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.