Policy Text
Ref: CALEA Standard 74.4.1 DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER F-6
Rev.
15 Aug 00
Index as: State Asset Forfeiture Management
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STATE ASSET FORFEITURE MANAGEMENT
The purpose of this order is to set forth policy and procedures regarding Departmental participation in asset forfeiture programs authorized by California law. Departmental
General Order F-3 addresses the federal asset forfeiture programs.
I. PURPOSE AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF STATE ASSET
FORFEITURE LAWS
A. State narcotics laws authorize the seizure and forfeiture of assets in order to deprive criminals of profits from and instrumentalities of illegal activity.
B. Unlike federal programs under which federal agencies generally take custody of seized property and money, under state programs, local law enforcement agencies usually either retain custody of items subject to potential forfeiture or identify such items for potential forfeiture action. Consequently, state asset forfeiture programs place the burden of
protecting seizures and the property rights of innocent parties on local law
enforcement agencies.
C. Departmental requests to share assets which are subject to state asset forfeiture laws shall be directed to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
D. Proceeds are shared in accordance with formulas set forth in state laws.
E. Under Health and Safety Code Section 11489(b)(2)(A), 15% of the Department’s share of proceeds from assets seized on or after 1 Jan 94 must be used exclusively to fund programs designed to combat drug abuse and divert gang activity. The District Attorney’s Office will set aside these funds in a County trust account and will disburse them to community organizations in accordance with H&S Section 11489(b)(2)(A). The Chief of Police may make requests to the District
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER F-6 Rev.
15 Aug 00 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Attorney’s Office for disbursement of these funds upon reviewing
recommendations from the Vice/Narcotics and Community Services
Sections.
F. The Commander of the Vice/Narcotics Section is designated as the program coordinator for State asset forfeiture activities.
II. FIELD UNIT PROCEDURES Whenever reporting officers seize or identify assets that may be subject to potential forfeiture under state law, they shall:
A. Document in the evidence section of the Crime Report (536-933) the assets that are seized or identified as subject to possible forfeiture. (Assets worth more than $750 are subject to felony provisions of state law and will be considered for forfeiture action by the District Attorney’s Office.)
B. Provide the persons claiming/controlling the assets with receipts.
C. Safeguard recovered cash, negotiable instruments and property and
segregate them by case.
1. As soon as possible, two officers shall count recovered money, seal
it in an Evidence Envelope (216-336-331) and jointly sign the envelope to certify the amount inside.
2. Cash and property shall be deposited in the Property and Evidence Unit no later than the end of the shift during which items were recovered.
3. Vehicles shall not be towed for potential seizure without advance approval of a Vice/Narcotics Section supervisor.
D. Direct an extra copy of the report to the Vice/Narcotics Section.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER F-6 Rev.
15 Aug 00 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
III. INVESTIGATING UNIT PROCEDURES
A. Investigating Units shall maintain copies of state laws governing asset
forfeitures. Investigators shall bring any potential asset forfeiture case to the attention of the Vice/Narcotics Section Commander and cooperate with him/her with respect to implementing forfeiture requirements.
B. The Vice/Narcotics Section shall:
1. Develop and maintain an Asset Forfeiture Manual pursuant to H&S Section 11469, including, but not limited to:
a) Applicable state laws.
b) Departmental and Special Operations Division policies and procedures regarding asset forfeiture.
c) Procedures for notifying property owners and protecting their rights.
2. Review all reports involving potential forfeitures and determine whether to ask the District Attorney’s Office to initiate asset forfeiture proceedings. (Responsibility for case investigation shall remain with the normally assigned unit.)
3. Forward a copy of the asset forfeiture log to the Budget and Accounting Division Manager each month, together with notices from the District Attorney’s Office regarding the status of asset forfeiture cases. NOTE: The District Attorney’s Office prepares claim forms and completes claim procedures. They will also notify parties, which have an interest in seized property and publish required newspaper notices.
4. Maintain complete records of seizures, claims, disapproved claims and revenue or property that is eventually awarded to the
Department.
5. Deliver to the Accounting Section all checks for shared proceeds and related documentation and obtain a receipt. Inform the
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER F-6 Rev.
15 Aug 00 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Accounting Section whether the check is related to a seizure that
occurred before or after 1 Jan 94. Proceeds from cases of the Alameda County Narcotics Task Force shall be processed in accordance with this section.
6. Arrange for property to be sold at City auction as directed by Court Order. [Under state law, property (vehicles, computers, etc.) cannot be retained for Departmental use.]
7. Conduct mandatory Departmental asset forfeiture training upon changes to any applicable regulations [H&S Sec. 11469(e)].
8. By 1 Mar of each year, complete the required report [H&S Sec. 11495(c)] to the State Attorney General and forward a copy to the
Budget and Accounting Division Manager. The report must include:
a) The RD number of each case for which a forfeiture application was filed with the District Attorney