Property and Evidence Technician

City of Bellevue•Bellevue, NE

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an entry-level, non-sworn professional position responsible for receiving, securing, and maintaining the chain of custody for all physical and digital property and evidence recovered by the Bellevue Police Department. Work involves extensive inventory management, adherence to legal compliance, and working effectively as a team with coworkers.

Requirements

MUST possess a High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent.
MUST possess and maintain throughout employment a valid State Driver's License with a clean driving record.
Ability to obtain certification from the International Association of Property and Evidence Management within one year of hire date, depending on the timely availability of such training.
Ability to successfully pass an extensive police background investigation, polygraph, and fingerprint check.
Knowledge of policies, rules, and regulations of the police department.
Knowledge of pertinent federal and state laws and city ordinance with reference to the collection, preservation, and disposition of property and evidence.
Skill in utilizing computers, word processing, and spreadsheet software.
Skill in using databases to accurately input and retrieve information.
Ability to apply proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation in preparing written records and reports.
Ability to maintain attention to detail within an accurately kept records system.
Ability to communicate, present information, and respond to officers, supervisors, coworkers, and individuals from other city departments and outside agencies regularly.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals, as well as compute rate, ratio, and percentages and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to work independently, prioritize work, meet deadlines, make decisions, and solve practical problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Ability to compile, maintain, and submit required reports, records, and forms accurately in a timely manner.
Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and demonstrate good driving skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, courteous working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and individuals from other city departments and outside agencies.

Nice To Haves

Experience in related fields or an associate degree in criminal justice or a related field is preferred.
Experience in inventory management, data entry, record-keeping, or warehouse security is highly desirable; no prior law enforcement experience required.

Responsibilities

Access classified and sensitive information while maintaining compliance with security policies and legal requirements.
Maintain a safe and secure environment to ensure that property and evidence stored does not become contaminated, altered, lost, stolen or damaged, and that all infection control procedures are being followed.
Occasionally assist with collection and documentation of evidence on scene.
Remains knowledgeable of current trends and legal issues as they pertain to crime scenes, evidence seizure, storage, inventory, dispositions of evidence, court testimony, and accountability.
Operate non-emergency police vehicles in the performance of duties.
Assist attorneys, insurance companies, and the general public in obtaining audio recordings, video recordings, photos, etc upon receipt of proper written request and approval.
Operate standard office equipment in the performance of job duties including but not limited to telephone, printers, copier, and computer. As well as specialized software/equipment that pertains to evidence submission, storage, and testing.
Work with victims, citizens, and suspects in ascertaining their needs, directing them to appropriate sources for assistance and/or independently answer questions regarding property and evidence being retained by the department.
Fingerprint applicants or city jobs and contracts as well as appointments made for licenses, visas, employment, etc. requested by the public.
Perform other duties as directed or as the situation dictates.
Attendance at assigned work location is an essential function.
Verify incoming property against officer reports to ensure strict matching accuracy.
Check package, label, and barcode of physical evidence to secure long-term intake stability.
Log and maintain data into the department's tracking software system.
Transport all types of evidence to and from the appropriate laboratories for testing.
Manage data from in-car camera and bodycam system and digital evidence.
Download and transfer evidentiary digital evidence to appropriate media when necessary.
Conduct routine audits of all storage areas.
Maintain organization of storage areas, as well as knowledge of where items are stored.
Telephonically, electronically or mail letters to notify owners to claim property when it is no longer considered of evidentiary value and release the property.
Release lost or stolen property to owners upon proof of ownership.
Issue timely release or disposal of evidence and property according to established procedures and Nebraska statues.
Prepare all unclaimed property for online auction or other approved disposal methods and maintain inventory.
Responsible for articles required by law to be destroyed, disposed of, or submitted to another agency such as: destruction of narcotics and other drugs (upon authorization) in the presence of official witnesses, destruction of weapons, alcohol, and arrange for the forfeiture of recovered seized money.
Provide factual court testimony regarding specific evidence handling histories when required.
Issue property being retained as evidence to officers or court personnel at time of trial upon receipt of authorization.
Process incoming agency subpoenas for evidence to deliver prompt discovery requests.
Maintain operational stock of crime scene field collection equipment as well as officer evidence packaging materials.
Electronically share and physically copy and internally mail evidence requested for discovery regularly by court personnel.