Policy Text
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I Sari Francisco Police Dep+iment 6.15
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1 GENERAL ORDER 07/27/94
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I PROPERTY PROCESSING
This order outlines procedures for processing of property for identification which
includes evidence and non-evidence, narcotics, volatile or inflammable substances,
and deitructive devices.
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I I. POLICY
A. RESPONSIBILITIES. The member who first receives or takes property is
responsible for it until the item is processed as property for identification and
is received at the district station or at the Property Control Section.
I 11. DEFINITIONS/ GUIDELINES
A. CLASSIFlCATION OF PROPERTY. Property is divided into four major
categories:
1. PROPERTY FOR IDENTIFICATION. Property for Identification is divided into
two sub-categories: -
a. EVIDENCE (E): Property (except narcotics) or money that is related or
possibly related to a crime (sef! DGO 6.02, Physical Evidence).
b. NON-EVIDENCE: Property or money not apparently related to a crime.
Non-evidence property is further divided into two categories:
Property for Safekeeping (P)
2 NARCOTICS. Substances that are suspected of being a narcotic.
3. VOLATILEOR~LE SUBSTANCES
4. DESTRUCX'IVE DEVICES. Any of the weapons or devices defined in Sec
12301 P.C.
DGO 6.15
07/27/94
111. PROCEDURES
A. PROPERTY FOR IDENTIFICATION
I. PRQPERTY RECEIPT FORM. When taking or receiving Property for
Ic fication from a person (including an arrestee), complete a Property
&-.apt (SFPD 315) in duplicate. Give the person the original and keep the
mpy. If the form is not issued, state the reason in your incident report.
2 COMPUTER CHECKS. If any item has a serial number or a mark of
identification, query the computer to determine if it is stolen.
3. HANDLING AND PACKAGING . When booking property, you are responsible
for the safe and proper packaging of the item. Ensure that fragile items are
protected from breakage. Detailed procedures for collecting and preserving
physical evidence are found in JIG0 6.02, Physical Evidence.
a KNIVES, ETC. Carefully wrap knife blades and items with sharp points
so they do not pierce the envelope or container. Safely wrap narcotic
paraphernalia, and always place hypodermic syringes into syringe
mntainers before booking them.
b. BODY FLUIDS. Affix a BIO HAZARD label on any envelope or package
containing an item that has been contaminated with a body fldd, e.g.,
blood, semen.
c ENVELOPE. Place the item (except money) in a Property for
Idenfification Envelope with a copy of SFPD 315. List the item(s) it
contains on the face of the envelope, seal it, write your initials and star
number over the edge of the flap, and seal it with transparent tape.
d MONEY. Package d money (US. and foreign currency) in a green
-Money for Identification Envelope. Show the amokts in both figures
and words. Before sealing the envelope, have the station keeper verify
the amount of money contained in the envelope. If=b amount is
conect, the station keeper shall sign his/her initials iL?d star number
on the edge of the flap next to the initials of the officer booking the
money. The station keeper shall also ensure that the envelope is
properly sealed with transparent tape.
DGO 6.15
07/27/94
e. (Yi'HER CONTAINERS. Lf the item is too large for a Property for
Identification Envelope, use a Property for Identification Bag. If the bag
is too 'small, use a suitable container, attach a Property for Identification
Tag to itf and attach SFPD 315 to the tag. If a container is not practical,
attach a Property for Identification Tag directly to the item and attach
SFPD 315 to the tag.
f. FIREARMS. Unload firearms before packaping or tagging - them. Always
package fir- and ammunition separately from all other property.
Packaged ammunition may be placed in the same container with the
unloaded weapon. The supervisor and the officer booking the firearm
must sign their names and star numbers on the envelope, bag or
property tag certifying that the weapon is unloaded.
If you cannot unload a fiream m are unfamiliar with its operation,
place it in a secure location at the station until a member of the
Police Range can respond and disarm it. The station keeper on duty
(or next scheduled) when the Police Range is open, shall make the
arrangements. Affer the firearm has been disamred, the station
keeper will package or tag the firearm and fwroard it to the Property
Control Division. -
4. PROPERTY LOG/~IVENTORY. When receiving property at the district
stations, the station keeper shall enter the property on the District Station Prom Log (SFPD 230). If the property is taken direcdy to the Property
Control Section, a Property Transfer Receipt Form (SFPD' 361) must be
completed and given to the mmber accepting it. When relieved or
reporting on or off duty, inventory any property held, and enter the
number of items (packages) held in station log book.
5. BICYCLES. Use a Property for Identification Tag and list the serial number
of the bicycle on it. Attach the