Policy Text
Property Bureau Page 1 of 5 54/01.0 (REV 2/96)
PROCESSING GENERAL PROPERTY
The purpose of this order is to d escribe the procedures used to process and store
property held by the Sher iff’s Property Bureau.
I. Types of Property Booked
A. When property arrives at the Property Warehouse, it is sorte d into new
and returning cases.
1. The property report need not be pulled from file for returni ng cases.
B. Review the property rec eipt/report for accuracy.
1. Verify that both the pink and yellow copies of the property report
have been submitted.
2. Verify that only one of the pr operty booking classifications have
been marked. Recovered, stolen, evidence, contraband, safekeeping, or found property booked under more than one
classification must be clarifi ed by the property officer or by the
detective assigned to the case.
3. A report number is required on all property booked into the Property
Warehouse.
4. Each item must have a separate item number.
C. Inspect the property packaging for accuracy.
1. Property that does not require special packaging should be
packaged in a completed, sealed, pre-printed evidence envelope
whenever possible. Large bags, boxes, tags, etc., should be use d
only when absolutely necessary.
2. All narcotics must be enclose d in, or have attached, a compl eted
crime lab narcotics envelope. Ver ify that the seal on the envel ope is
intact.
3. Money must be enclosed in or have attached a completed, seal ed,
pre-printed money envelope.
Property Bureau Page 2 of 5 54/01.0 (REV 2/96)
4. Firearms must be unloaded and ha ve a completed property tag
attached. Firearms shall never be enclosed in a container unles s
identification work is required (refer to Operations Order 53/0 1.0).
5. Urine samples must be enclo sed in a completed crime lab
blood/alcohol envelope.
6. When narcotics are removed from their original container bec ause
the container requires identificat ion work, both the narcotic a nd the
narcotic container must have separ ate item numbers. The origina l
container shall not be packaged in the narcotics envelope.
7. Verify all serial numbers. Ens ure the serial numbers on the property
report are correct.
8. Large, unpackaged items must h ave completed property tags
attached.
9. Property booked in containers, bags, or envelopes must have the
report number and the it em number(s) of the property contained
within printed on the outside of the container.
D. Property receipt/report forms t hat are incorrectly prepared or property that
is packaged incorrectly shall be referred to the submitting off icer for
correction. Large quantities of c ontrolled substances (excludin g marijuana)
that have a broken cr ime lab seal will be su bmitted to the crim e lab for re-
analysis.
E. Make a determination as to w hether the property must be: hel d
indefinitely; held for a specif ic time period; released immedia tely; or
evaluated by the submitting offi cer or detective assigned to th e case as to
the release status.
1. Recovered, stolen – Photogr aph and release immediately.
2. Evidence – Hold indefinitely ; hold specific time period; req uest
release status. This classifica tion takes precedence over all o ther
classifications except s earch warrant evidence.
3. Search Warrant Evidence – Hold until a court order is receiv ed or
until the case is adjudicated and a signed copy of the return o f
search warrant is receiv ed by the Property Bureau.
4. Contraband – Dest roy immediately.
Property Bureau Page 3 of 5 54/01.0 (REV 2/96)
5. Safekeeping
a. 12028.5 PC – Release after 48 hours. b. General Order 22/06.0 – Release after 30 days.
c. Unclaimed Firearms – Dispos e of after 180 days (Section
12032 PC)
d. All other unclaimed property – Dispose of after 90 days
(Sacramento County Code Sectio n 2.64.010 and California
Civil Code Section 2080.6).
6. Found – Release immediately ; hold a specific time period
a. Check found property for ident ification. Send release letter , if
applicable.
b. A request for a finder’s claim may be honored after 90 days
(California Civil Code Section 2080.3). Send finder’s claim
notice.
c. Firearms – Finder’s claims are not honored for firearms.
Dispose of after 180 days (Section 12032 PC).
d. All other unclaimed property – Dispose of after 90 days
(Sacramento County Code Sectio n 2.64.010 and California
Civil Code Section 2080.6).
7. Property Returned by the Identification Bureau
a. Crimes Against Property – If n o prints are raised, dispose o f
immediately.
b. Crimes Against Persons – If no prints are raised, request
further release information from the detective assigned to the case.
F. Process Property
1. Place bar code label(s) on t he property repor t with a corres ponding
label on the property.
2. Enter the case type, inciden t type, name of officer submitti ng the
property, verify date, scan bar code, and enter category code i nto
the bar code scanner.