Policy Text
Page 1 of 18 General Order 03-12 (09/25/2024 )
HANDLING PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: HANDLING PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE
Chapter
3 Number
12 # Pages
18
References:
CALEA : 83.2.1 d, 84.1.1 , 84.1.4, 84.1.6, 84.1.7
VA State Code: §15.2 -1719, §15.2 -1720, §15.2 -1721,
§19.2 -152.13 §19.2 -270.1, §19.2 -294, §19.2 -331,
§19.2 -386.29, §64.1 -132.2 Related Orders:
07-16, 07 -17, 06 -14, 06 -02 Effective Date: 09/25/2024
Revised By: Annual Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 04/25/2023
If any provision of this General Order conflicts with any collective bargaining article, the collective
bargaining agreement shall govern.
Chief of Police:
I. PURPOSE
This directive aims to establish the procedures and responsibilities of Department members
concerning the handling of property and evidence.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This policy is due for review. The following revisions were made. Procedural terminology
was updated. All revisions are in bold and italicized.
III. POLICY
The Department ’s policy is to establish specific guidelines for the safe handling, maintenance ,
and int egrity of property and evidence.
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines outlined in this
general order . Responsibility rests with the Divis ion Commander to ensure that policy
violations are inv estigated , and appropriate training, counseling and/or disciplinary action is
initiated.
This directive is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in any
way. It should not be construed as creating a higher standard of safe ty or care in an evidentiary
sense concerning third -party claims . Violation of this directive, if proven, can only form the
basis of a complaint by this Department and then only in a non -judicial administrative setting.
Page 2 of 18 General Order 03-12 (09/25/2024 )
HANDLING PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE V. PROCEDURE
Department members who (either on -duty or off -duty) receive property or evidence, as
defined in this directive, shall process the items as outlined herein . Members must deliver the
items to the Property & Evidence (P&E) Unit and adequately enter the required informat ion
into the Property & Evidence computer -tracking program as soon as possible after the seizure
or receiving property or evidence . All property and evidence shall be immediately brought to
the Property & Evidence Unit . Unless emergency circumstances exist , new assignments and
activities shall be delayed until the property or evidence has been delivered to the Property &
Evidence Unit . Without exception, all property and evidence must be delivered to the Property
& Evidence Unit before the member’s tour of duty ends. Property or evidence is not to be
secured in personal lockers, files, desks, vehicles , or any location other than the Property
Room. Only authorized personnel will have access to areas the Department uses for evidence
storage. [CALEA 84.1.1a -b]
NOTE: Officers who retrieve evidence at the scene and then transfer the evidence to an
arresting officer, detective, Forensic Unit technician , or other sworn officer must document
this transfer in the TraQ system comm ents section at the time of evidence log -in in the
Property & Evidence Unit. The comments section must include the following: date & time of
transfer, receiving person’s name/rank/responsibility, reason, synopsis of the event, and
laboratory location/trans fer date, if applicable. [CALEA 83.2.1d]
NOTE: The Property and Evidence Unit uses the TraQ system, where internal controls ensure
consistency in accounting for evidence and property, and it does not affect any personnel
changes. [CALEA 84.1.1h]
A. Hours of Operations:
1. The Property & Evidence Unit will be open Monday - Friday during the hours of
0630 -1630 and closed on weekends and holidays observed by the City of
Richmond.
NOTE: If local courts are open for business on a City holiday, the Property &
Evidence Unit shall be staffed.
2. When the Property & Evidence Unit is closed, all personnel will utilize the Overnight
Processing Room to process evidence . There will be an on -call list posted in the
Proce ssing Room as well as one maintained in the Warrant & Information Services
Unit in case of computer failure or large seizures.
NOTE: Property & Evidence Unit personnel must document entry and escort all
other Department members into any property and eviden ce storage area.
B. Entering Property and Evidence: [CALEA 84.1.1c]
NOTE: Property & Evidence Unit personnel are the final authority as to the receipt and
ultimate disposal of all items seized by the Department.
Page 3 of 18 General Order 03-12 (09/25/2024 )
HANDLING PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE Improperly seized items will not be accepted . Additionally, any improperly seized
item(s) left in the Overnight Processing Room will be reclassified as “release to owner”
or “