Policy Text
General Order III -14
Revisions or modifications are highlighted 1 (06/23/2025 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE
Index as:
Abandoned Property
Baker Act
Bicycles
Cellular Phones, Seizure of
Collection of Evidence
Computers, Seizure of
Contraband
Crime Scene Protection
Electronic Cigarettes
Evidence
Evidence, Handling and Storage
Evidence, Unclaimed
Firearms, Release of Found Property
Lost Property
Mobile D ata Devices, Seizure of
Narcotics Evidence/Paraphernalia
Preservation of Evidence
Property and Evidence
Property Held for Safe Keeping
Release of Property and Evidence
Return of Firearms Procedures
Seizures
Storage of Evidence and Property
Unclaimed Evidence
Vaporizer Pens
Accreditation Standards: 82.3.2, 83.2.1, 83.2.2, 83.2.5, 84.1.1 , 84.1.2, 84.1.3, 84.1.7
CFA 15.10, 27.01, 27.02, 27.08, 27.09
Cross Reference: G.O. III -40, Mobile Video Recording Systems (MVRS)
I.O. V.2:01, Handling and Packaging Controlled Substances
USB SOP III -32, Identification Technician (IDT) Officer Program
Legal Notice 2016 -034, Officer must obtain a warrant before searching an abandoned,
password protected cell phone
Legal Notice 2017 -001, Cell phone owner can be compelled to provide passcode to allow
execution of search warrant
§§ 394.463(d)3., 705, 790.08 , 823.11, 932.701(2), and 90.91 Florida Statutes
United St ates v. Castleman, 572 U.S. 2014
Replaces : G.O. III -14, Pr operty and Evidence (April 29, 2024 )
This Order establishes guidelines for the proper handling, storage and disposition of property and evidence. It consists of
the following sections:
I. Definitions
II. Crime Scene Protection
III. Notifications
IV. Collection of Evidence
V. Preservation of Evidence
VI. Seizure of Computers and Related Devices
VII. Seizure of Cellular Phones and Mobile Data Devices
VIII. Lost or Abandoned Property
IX. Storage of Property and Evidence
X. Release of Property and Evidence
XI. Final Disposition of Property and Evidence
XII. Motor Vehicles and Boats DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
April 2016 Immediately III-14
Distribution: All Employees
General Order III -14
Revisions or modifications are highlighted 2 (06/23/2025 ) I. DEFINITIONS
A. Contraband – Any property, material or substance, the possession of which is illegal.
B. Evidence – Any property, substance or matter which can be used in court to establish guilt or innocence or that a
crime has or has not been committed.
1. Unclaimed Evidenc e – Any tangible personal property, including cash , and not included within the de finition of
"contraband article " as provided in section 932.701(2), F lorida Statutes , seized by a law enforcement agency,
that was intended for use in a criminal or quasi -criminal proceeding, and is retained by the law enforcement
agency or the Clerk of the County or Circuit Court for 60 days after the final disposition of the proceeding , and to
which no claim of ownership has been made [§ 705.101(6), F lorida Statutes ].
2. This would appear to exclude any property seized ONLY for forfeiture under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture
Act but does not address those cases where the property may be both criminal evidence and "contraband" subject
to forfeiture. Therefore, property, inclu ding currency, which is evidence for a criminal case and/or forfeiture, will
be simply marked as evidence.
3. The officer will make the determination as to an item being classified as property or evidence.
C. Found Property – Property which has been lost or ab andoned and is not connected with any known or suspected
criminal offense.
1. Lost Property – All tangible personal property , without an identifiable owner and which has been mislaid on public
property, upon a public conveyance , on premises used at the time for business purposes ; or in parks, places of
amusement, public recreation areas, or other places open to the public in a s ubstantially operable, functioning
condition, or which, has an apparent intrinsic value to the rightful owner. If it works, is operable, or can be used,
it is most likely "lost" property [§ 705.101( 4), Florida Statutes ].
2. Abandoned Property – All tangible personal property , without an identifiable owner and which has been disposed
of on public property in a wrecked, inoperative, or partially dismantled condition, or which has no apparent intrinsic
value to the rightful owner. If it is broken, inoperative an d appears to have no value, it is most likely "abandoned"
property. The term derelict vessels as defined in section 823.11, F lorida Statutes , and vessels declared a public
nuisance pursuant to section 327.71(1)(aa) [§