Property Custodian

Village of Palatine•Palatine, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Village of Palatine Police Department is seeking a Full-Time Property Custodian. The Property Custodian is responsible for the custody of all property recovered, or evidence collected, in order to ensure the security of property and evidence and the proper return of such items to the owner or person legally entitled to possession. This role involves maintaining a working knowledge of Neighborhood Based Police philosophy, obeying lawful orders, and developing an understanding of departmental operations. The position requires prompt preparation and submission of reports, handling of all incoming and outgoing evidence and property, and managing phone and officer inquiries regarding property and evidence issues. Key responsibilities include overseeing annual drug destruction, monthly audits and destructions of property and evidence, and coordinating property auctions and destructions with external services like PropertyRoom.com, Gunbusters.com, and the Cook County Bomb Squad. The role also involves donating cell phones, returning property to owners, transporting evidence for testing, making court evidence copies, and testifying in court as needed. Additionally, the Property Custodian will prepare training documents and provide training to employees on evidence and property handling, oversee the building's camera system, and manage the Property Control Room to ensure safekeeping, accurate recording, and proper disposition of all property. Discrepancies and irregularities must be reported to the Commander of Training. The position requires maintaining the property control database, files, and reports efficiently, notifying owners of property in custody, and disposing of unclaimed property or evidence according to department policy and direction from the Chief of Police. Performing office or clerical duties as directed is also part of the role.

Requirements

High School diploma is required.
Must possess a valid Driver's License, but must possess and maintain a valid Illinois driver's license within six (6) months from hire date.
Must be able to demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills.
Requires a strong work ethic.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual and/or previous law enforcement experience a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

Maintain a working knowledge of Neighborhood Based Police philosophy focusing upon citizen and customer satisfaction in all contacts.
Obey all lawful orders of superiors.
Develop a working knowledge of the operations of the Department, and the interrelationships of departmental divisions, sections and units.
Promptly prepare and submit the required reports obtained as the result of any assignment or investigation.
Handles, receives, inventories and documents all incoming and outgoing evidence and property.
Handles all phone and officer inquiries regarding evidence/property issues.
Oversees and prepares annual drug destruction.
Oversees and prepares monthly audits and destructions as needed of property and evidence currently housed in the property rooms.
Prepares and coordinates property auctions as needed with PropertyRoom.com
Prepares and coordinates gun destruction with Gunbusters.com
Prepares and coordinates ammunition and fireworks destruction with the Cook County Bomb Squad.
Prepares and coordinates cell phone donations to 911 Cell Phone Bank.
Sends letters and returns property to appropriate owners.
Transports evidence to and from the State Crime Lab for testing.
Makes copies of, or electronically transfers, all court evidence per subpoena.
Testifies in court as needed.
Prepares training documents and provides training as needed for new and seasoned employees on how to package/submit evidence and property. This training is constant and ongoing.
Oversees the camera system for the building as well as many other village camera sites. Makes video copies as requested.
Manage the operation of the Property Control Room to ensure safekeeping, accurate recording and proper disposition of all lost, stolen, abandoned and unclaimed property.
Report any discrepancies in the property custody reports and irregularities in the processing of the property to the Commander of Training.
Maintain property control data base, files and reports in a complete and efficient manner.
Notify any and all persons owning or having legal right to possession of property in the custody of the Department.
Return or cause to be returned, property to its owner or other having legal right to possession.
Dispose of unclaimed property in the manner established by Department policy and procedures.
Destroy, or cause to be destroyed, or dispose of all evidence, property and contraband materials upon the direction of the Chief of Police.
Process and route evidence for appropriate testing and analysis, as required.
Perform office or clerical duties, as directed.