SHERIFF’S PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE SUPERVISOR

Job Specifications

Class Code:	CM8
Analyst:	JES

Date Originated:	1/20
Date Revised:

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under direction, supervises the staff and performs the functions of the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office Property and Evidence Section, including the intake, verification, storage, record, transport, safeguard, release and disposition of evidence and other property as needed by the Sheriff’s Office and other jurisdictions; trains Sheriff’s Property Clerks; oversees the Body Worn Camera (BWC) administration and technical support; prepares statistical reports; trains departmental staff on BWC and Property policy and procedure; and other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a non-peace officer class with responsibility for the supervision and organization of the Property and Evidence Section. This class is distinguished from the lower level of Sheriff’s Property Clerk in that the Sheriff’s Property and Evidence Supervisor is responsible for directing the work of others, developing policies and procedures, training staff, preparing performance evaluations, statistical reporting and performing more complex and difficult assignments.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Manage the security, control and maintenance of all incoming property and other items of evidence;
• Manage periodic disposal of weapons, contraband, narcotics, hazardous material and other materials;
• Supervise, train and evaluate the performance of subordinate staff;
• Develop, implement and maintain policies and procedures for the operation and control of the Property and Evidence Section;
• Coordinate and head County-wide Property and Evidence meetings with other local law enforcement agencies;
• Serve as liaison with other Divisions within the Sheriff’s Office and outside agencies concerning the acceptance and storage of evidence;
• Develop, coordinate and monitor the Property and Evidence Section activities and quality assurance procedures;
• Keep accurate records of stored property and evidence to assure security and retrieval capability for court and audit purposes;
• Research, evaluate and update appropriate standards for retention, handling and disposition of evidence in response to legislation updates and department needs;
• Prepare statistical reports on property and evidence for the Sheriff’s Office;
• Act as primary contact for vendors, database issues and user accounts;
• Manage the BWC Program; train all new users on system and equipment, maintain quality control, monitor compliance and generate statistical reports, troubleshoot database and equipment issues and maintain user accounts;
• Develop and maintain all required forms and evidence documentation;
• Identify equipment needs, maintain supply inventory and order supplies;
• Coordinate and conduct regular Property and Evidence inspections, internal audits and inventories;
• Maintain safe working practices, including use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper packaging of evidence;
• Provide training to deputies and correctional staff on the submission of physical and digital evidence;
• Testify in court.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Property and evidence practices and procedures, including property/evidence management, work planning and organization;
• Techniques of packaging, receiving, inventorying, safeguarding, storing, and handling of property and evidence.

Working knowledge of:

• Federal laws, State laws, local policies and court decisions pertaining to the recovery, storage, testing and disposition of property and evidence;
• Federal laws, State laws, local policies and court decisions pertaining to the storage and disposition of BWC and digital evidence;
• Property and Evidence room structure and function;
• Principles and practices of basic record keeping;
• Principles and practices of supervision and training;
• Principles and practices of customer service.

  Some knowledge of:

• Function, organization, purpose, operating and procedure of law enforcement and related government agencies;
• Legal terminology and legal process;
• Rules of evidence and basic criminal law;
• Principles of electronic database administration and management;
• Firearms safety;
• Safe practices for handling narcotics and hazardous materials.

Ability to:

• Develop and enforce policies and procedures for the efficient operation and control of the Property and Evidence Section;
• Supervise, train and evaluate the work of subordinate staff;
• Determine priorities and organize workload for the Section;
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion and safeguard confidentiality;
• Work quickly and accurately on multiple tasks;
• Learn to apply applicable law, rules, and regulations and to inform the public of processes and procedures;
• Read, interpret and understand standard official legal documents;
• Read, understand and follow office policies, rules, instructions, laws and ordinances and general literature pertaining to law enforcement activities and property matters;
• Work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time to input and access data;
• Operate standard office equipment;
• Prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and files;
• Maintain a clean and orderly storage facility;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships;
• Deal tactfully and effectively with a variety of individuals who may be emotional, hostile, or irate;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Ability to define curriculum, prepare informational materials and teach deputies and correctional staff proper evidence handling, body worn camera and digital evidence procedures;
• Take and store digital photographs.

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Four years of experience as a Sheriff’s Property Clerk or equivalent position in a law enforcement-based property and evidence section which includes lead and/or supervisory experience.

OR

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with course work in Criminal Justice or a related field.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

• Capable of performing all of the classification’s essential functions, as summarized within this section and the typical tasks section of this job specification with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Physical Ability:  Tasks require the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling; and may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials.
• Environmental Factors:  Exposure to variable temperatures, confined work spaces and heights; strong unpleasant odors, infectious bio-hazardous materials such as blood, urine and semen which might cause chronic disease or death; dust, pollens, chemical irritants; toxic substances; individuals who may be hostile and abusive; evidence that may be disturbing such as homicide evidence;
• Hours:  May be subjected to after-hours response for emergencies.
• License Requirement:  Possession and maintenance of valid Class C California Driver License issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles by the time of appointment.
• Background Investigation:  Ability to pass a full background investigation.

Bargaining Unit: 41

EEOC Job Category: 06

Occupational Grouping: 12

Worker's Comp Code: 0285