Question of the Month???  

Ask Joe  

Q Dear Joe 

Hello, I'm wondering if you've heard of a scenario like this and what you would suggest to do in this situation:  What can be done when an officer is working on a case and can't finish packaging their evidence because there is an urgent situation he or she must respond to?  Have you heard of a department having a "pre-temporary" holding locker that the officer can place their evidence in that only they can access, or would you suggest that the officer place all evidence into the "real" temporary pass-thru locker that only property custodians have access to?  Thanks for any thoughts or tips you may have.  I'm curious to hear what you have to say.  Thanks!!!  

Thanks,

"New Property Officer" 

A 

Dear,  "New Property Officer"

You have several options.  Some departments will provide the officer in charge (Watch Commander) several combination locks that are have a changeable combination. The officer signs out the lock, then changes the combination so that he or she is the only person with access.  Some small departments designate a specific locker for this purpose and give each officer a lock that he or she may use in this type of situation.  It may be advantageous in this scenario for the property officer to have a duplicate set of keys to these lockers.  I hope one of these suggestions give your agency the flexibility it needs to have personnel respond to emergency calls yet maintain the chain of custody.  

Good Luck

Joe 

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