doc_1835964

WINDERMERE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish policy regarding the handling, collection, packaging, documentation, and submission of evidence. 2. Policy It is the policy of the Windermere Police Department (WPD) to ensure proper safeguards and preservation techniques will be used for the handling and collection of evidence to preserve the condition of the evidence during and after collection. All evidence will be handled in a professional manner. All property and evidence held by the Agency shall be kept in designated secure areas. [27.01M(a)] [27.06] 3. Definitions A. Abandoned Property – All tangible personal property which does not have an identifiable owner and which has been disposed on public property in a wrecked, inoperative, or partially dismantled condition or which has no intrinsic value to the rightful owner. B. Biohazard Label – An orange -colored adhesive backed label depicting the international biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD.” C. Chain of Custody – The continued link established from one person to another when moving evidence from one place to another . Effective Date: October 1, 202 5  Rescinds  Amends 10.1 (August 25, 2023) Number: 10.1 SUBJECT : Property and Evidence Print Date: 10/01/25 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: September 10.1 , Page 2 C. Contamination – The movement of items, the addition of foreign material, removal or destruction of evidence. D. Contraband – Any item illegal to possess . E. Evidence – Any material objects, documentation, and/or verbal statements which may be related to a crime or designated as such by a member of law enforcement that may assist in ascertaining the truth of a matter or furnishes proof of fact. F. Evidence & Property Specialist (EPS) – Responsible for the care and custody of evidence and property. G. Evidence Label – A paper and/or adhesive backed label with blanks for information about the item of evidence designed to be placed directly onto the packaging of the item of evidence being submitted. H. Evidence Room – A secured room where items of evidence, found pro perty, and/or recovered property are secured. Items are secured within the evidence room according to their category such as firearms, currency, narcotics, etc. I. Found Property – Property classified as having no evidentiary value, but must be collected and preserved or held for its rightful owner for a specified amount of time. This pertains to any item that has been recovered or seized and the owner is known and/or unknown. J. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) – FDLE is a state funded invest igative body of law enforcement with seven regional crime laboratories. K. Lost Property – All tangible property which does not have an identifiable owner and has been mislaid on public property. L. Property Form – A three -part form (White, Yellow, and Pink) used to document items of evidence or property taken from a citizen or during the execution of a search warrant to maintain chain of custody. M. Safekeeping – Securing property in a safe area either because it presents a threat to someone or the owner is unable to take custody due to circumstances beyond their control. N. Unclaimed Evidence – Any tangible personal property, including cash, but excluding “contraband article”, which was seized by a law enforc ement agency, was intended for use in a criminal or quasi -criminal proceeding and is retained by 10.1 , Page 3 the Agency for 60 days after final disposition of the proceeding, and to which no claim of ownership has been made. 4. Procedures A. All property that has a readily apparent intrinsic or evidentiary value shall be collected. Always use gloves and appropriate personal protection equipment when handling evidence or biohazards. B. All evidence/property collected by members shall be entered into Agency records and submitted to the appropriate evidence storage lockers or directly to the EPS at police headquarters for secure storage before going off duty. [27.15M(a)] [27.15M(b)] 1. The EPS shall log all evidence/property taken into Agency custody into Agency records no later than the next working day as the first item of business that day. [27.15M(a)] 2. The EPS will ensure that all blood and other perishable evidence is transferred to the laboratory for analysis or placed in secured refrigerated storage as soon as practical . [27.01M(e)] 3. Sufficient samples of evidence/property shall be obtained to enable the evidence/property to be tested/processed as necessary for the successful prosecution of criminal cases. [27.01M(c)] 4. All items taken into Agency custody must be properly documented containing a case number , type of case/offense (e.g. found property, safekeeping, narcotics, destruction, weapons offense) and description of evide nce/property being secured. [27. 15M(d)] 5. All items taken into A gency custody from an individual shall be documented on a Property Form, which will then be attached to the report. C. Members are prohibited from storing property in their personal desks, lockers,