Policy Text
found
07.05.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish guidelines to maintain evidence in a
manner designed to preserve its investigative and prosecutorial value in accordance with
State and Federal regulations.
07.05.1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department to only seize and store property
that is found or has evidentiary value.
07.05.2 DEFINITIONS
A. CHAIN OF CUSTODY
The documented possession and control of an item from the time of collection to final
disposition.
B. EVIDENCE
Any item seized by a coworker that establishes that a crime has been committed,
which may assist in the identification of a suspect and is intended for use in judicial
proceedings.
C. EVIDENCE CUSTODIAN(S)
Coworker(s) accountable for controlling and maintaining all items accepted by or
stored in the Property Control Division area(s).
D. EVIDENCE CUSTODIAN SUPERVISOR
Coworker accountable for controlling and maintaining all items accepted by or stored
in the Property Control Division and the day -to-day supervision of the Division .
E. FOUND PROPERTY
Property that has been abandoned or lost by its rightful owner.
F. INMATE PROPERTY
Personal property belonging to an arrestee that Cabarrus County Jail refuses to store.
The property is not considered evidence.
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
EVIDENCE AND PROPERTY CONTROL
GENERAL ORDER: 07.05 CREATED: December 1, 2000 ISSUE DATE: December 17, 2025
CALEA STANDARD: 83.2.1, 83.2.6, 83.3.2, 84.1.1, 84.1.2,
84.1.3, 84.1.5, 84.1.6
NCLEA STANDARD: EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2026
ACTION: Amends general order dated October 1, 2022.
General Order 07.05 EVIDENCE AND PROPERTY CONTROL Page 2 of 7
G. ITEMS
For the purposes of this general order, “item(s)” is defined as any piece of evidence
or property that is collected with the intent to be entered into the Property Control
Division .
H. NARCOTICS
Items seized that are classified as controlled substances under the North Carolina
Controlled Substances Act.
I. VEHICLE
For the purposes of this general order a “vehicle” is, but not limited to cars, trucks,
motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, golf carts, go carts, riding mowers and trailers.
07.05.3 PROPERTY CON TROL DIVISION
The Property Control Division shall operate as a component of the Operations Bureau and
under the direct oversight of the Operations Bureau commander. This Division shall
consist of evidence custodian(s) and an evidence custodian supervisor .
A. CUSTODIAN OF ITEMS
The Property Control Division shall be responsible for the following:
1. Proper storage and preservation of evidence;
2. Maintaining documentation of the chain of custody of items once they come into
the possession of the Property Control Division .
3. Submission of evidence for laboratory analysis;
4. Final disposition of evidence per North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS);
5. Maintaining and keeping accurate records of all items in possession of the
Property Control Division ;
6. Release and disposal of items in accordance with departmental policy and all
applicable State and Federal laws;
7. Providing courtroom testimony as needed under subpoena;
8. Security of the Property Control Division areas.
9. Enter all property and evidence into the department -approved evidence
management software.
B. RECORDS OF ITEMS
1. The Property Control Division shall be responsible for ensuring that all items
submitted to the Property Control Division are recorded in the department -
approved eviden ce management software.
General Order 07.05 EVIDENCE AND PROPERTY CONTROL Page 3 of 7
2. Department -approved evidence management software shall be updated when
any item within the custody of the Property Control Division is removed or
returned to a different storage location or sent for forensic processing or
examinat ion.
3. Records shall be retained for the period of time that is stated in the NC Municipal
Records Retention and Disposition Schedule.
07.05.4 AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS
Audits and inspections shall be utilized to ensure the integrity and accountability of the
Property Control Division .
A. AUDITS
1. A documented annual audit of the Property Control Division shall be conducted
by a person who is not routinely or directly connected with control of the items
as directed by the Chief of Police or designee. This shall include the amounts set
forth by the accreditation standards and if no amount is set then then amount
shall be at the discretion of th e Chief of Police or designee. The audit shall:
a. Ensure the continuity of custody and not require the accounting of every
single item.
b. Be sufficient to ensure the integrity of the system and the accountability of
items.
c. If the audit is to be used as a n accreditation proof, accreditation standards
shall be used to determine the minimum sampling of property, including
high-risk items.
2. A documented audit of the Property Control Division shall occur whenever an
evidence custodian/supervisor is assigned to and/or transferred from the
position and is shall be conducted jointly by the newly designated evidence
custodian/s