Policy Text
TOM DaRé , CHIEF OF POLICE
Professional Standards Division NUMBER: 2022 -
ISSUED: September 1 , 2022
Booking Firearms into Property and Evidence
This training bulletin is to update all department personnel in the recent procedural change in
the manner in which all firearms should be booked into Proper ty and Evidence.
All firearms received or confiscated for the purposes of being booked into Property and Evidence,
whether as found, safekeeping or evidence, should be booked as follows:
1. The booking or handling officer should photograph the firearm in a way that documents
both sides of the firearm, barrel, handgrip, serial number, damage and other pieces that
may make the firearm illegal. The booking or handling officer should then upload the
photographs and attach them to the case.
2. The booking officer should document the firearms make, model, caliber, color, barrel
length and serial number. Should the firearm not have a serial number or the serial
number is obliterated, this should also be noted. This information should be documented
on the property table and evidence table for both Records teletype personnel and Property
and Evidence personnel.
3. The booking officer should package all firearms out of their original packaging and should
be booked into an evidence handgun box or rifle box.
4. The booking officer should package all firearms unloaded, with the magazine removed and
in a rendered safe position. This can be done by placing a zip -tie through the chamber
down the magazine well. The f irearm should then be zip -tied to the box with the barrel
facing in the direction indicated on the evidence box. The booking officer may book the
magazine with firearm, however, no ammunition should be booked with the firearm. If the
ammunition must remain in the magazine, the ammunition and magazine should be
booked separately from the firearm. The booking officer must indicate on the firearm box
that the firearm was booked unloaded. Should the firearm not be able to be booked
unloaded or could not be rend ered safe, the booking officer must indicate this on the
evidence table and notify Property and Evidence personnel.
5. The booking officer should seal the firearm box with tape horizontally across the opening.
The booking officer should then add initials an d date to be positioned half on and half off
the tape.
TRAINING BULLETIN
Please note, firearms will not be released to the registered owner without authorization from
DOJ after the registered owner has submitted an application for a Law Enforcement Gun
Release. This includ es all law enforcement officers.
This procedure is put into place to avoid and mitigate any potential issues while handling the
firearm for department and crime lab personnel.
Prepared by CSO Summer Bogue