8-2

GENERAL ORDER 8 -2 EVIDENCE 1 P L A N T C I T Y P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T General Order Title EVIDENCE General Order Number 8-2 Effective: 06/02/199 9 Revised : 10/22/2025 Reviewed : 01/07/2025 CFA: PURPOSE The purpose of this directive is to establish proce dures and guidelines for the collection, stor age and disposi tion of evidence. DISCUSSION Evidence must be maintained in accor dance with federal, state and local statutes and court deci sions relating to evidence and to return such property to its rightful owner(s) in a timely manner. Once collected and turned in, the control of evidence will become the re sponsibility of the Evidence /Proper ty Custodian (EPC) who is respon sible to the Offic er in Charge (OIC) of the Information Services Division (ISD). INTENT It is the intent of the Plant City Police Department to store evidence in such a manner as to preserve the integrity of the item in its original received condi tion, as nearly as possi ble, and to maintain the chain of custody. Chain of Custody - A written record referring to the conti nuity of custody of items collected as physical evidence whether at the crime scene or not. The conno tation under the law is that the item introduced into court at the time of trial must be proven to be the same as was initially obtained from the crime scene. 1. The chain of custody begins when an item of evidence is collected and is maintained until the final disposition of the evidence is made. It assures continuous accountability. If custody is not properly maintained on a partic ular item of evidence, it may be inadmissible in court. 2. Each person in the chain of custody will be responsible for ensu ring that integrity and control of evidentiary property is not jeopardized while under his/her custody. Drying Cabinet - A filtered cabinet designed to allow the safe drying of clothing and other evidence in a fashion that prevents bio -hazardous contamina tion and enhances the capture of all possible evidence. Drying Closet - An area set aside with ventilation fans used for drying evidence contaminated with biohazardous materials. The closet should be used a s back -up to the Drying Cabinet or as an overflo w area for drying multiple items. Evidence - Any substance or material found or recovered in connection with a criminal investigation which may be used during criminal prosecution to establish a case and to prove facts of a crime be fore a court of law. DEFINITIONS GENERAL ORDER 8 -2 EVIDENCE 2 Evidence /Property Custodian (EPC) - Department member (s) accountable for the custody and control of all evidence accepted by or stored in the department’s evidence room. Evidence /Property Room - A secure area within the department to ensure the integrity of all evi dence/property that is stored. Handling - Used in the broad conno tative to in dicate one or more of the f ollowing general ac tions that may be performed in the course of pro cessing evidence or property: col lection, identi fication, preservation, receipt, analysis, storage, trial pre sentatio n and eventual disposition or destruc tion. Impounding Officer - Member of this department who initially receives the evidence and initiates the chain of custody. Pre-log Officer/Detective - The member who completes and submits the FDLE Lab Submission form and is responsible for the review of a Lab Submission return /completion report . Property - Money, valu ables, and other objects of personal ownership that have an apparent value which ma y have been lost, stolen, or aban doned. Refrigerated Storage - Perishable items stored so that their properties will be as unchanged as possible prior to being examined in a laboratory. RULES AND PROCEDURES A. The OIC/ISD will be responsible for the custody and control of all evidence that is accepted by or stored in the department's evidence storage areas. The OIC/ISD is responsi ble for ensur ing that proper records are maintained which reflect the status of all evi dence held by the department. B. The OIC/ISD shall ensure the following inspections, annual examinations and inventories are completed in accord ance with this general order: 1. The OIC/ISD shall, at least annually, conduct an inventory (partial or full) of evidence held within the evidence storage. The inventory shall be conducted by the EPC and a designee of the Chief of Police to ensure adhe rence to appropriate regulations and procedures set forth for the control of evidence. This inventory will be no less than one percent (1%) of the current items stored during that year . 2. The OIC/ISD shall, at least annually, ensure annual examinations of evidence held by this department are conducted by a supervisor not routinely or directly connected with the control of evidence. 3. The OIC/ISD shall, at least once per year , be subject to an unannounced inspection of all evidence areas to ensure accountability and that security procedures are maintained. A review of the evidence storage needs should be looked at and addressed during the inspections. These inspections shall be at the direction of