Evidence/Supply Technician

Nature of Work

Position is responsible to receive, record and maintain the integrity of all police evidence. Responsible for ensuring that supplies and materials used by the department are documented and maintained.

Work Situation Factors:

Significant personal demands include shift-work, 24/7 on-call status including weekends and holidays; Photographing at scenes of accidents, injuries and crimes; fast-paced work environment; competing demands; strict deadlines; multiple tasks; exposure to the criminal element; required to travel out of town sometimes without advanced notice for special assignments and classes; attentiveness and intensity are critical to ensure accuracy and minimize errors; violent criminal activity will be observed and photographed including but not limited to sexual abuse, child abuse, homicides, suicides and assaults; may be subjected to offensive language. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Preserve and maintain all evidence in the chain of custody for court purposes in accordance with all department operating procedures without loss or damage to evidence. Responsible to receive, tag, record and securely store all evidence received according to department procedures and to release evidence upon appropriate release from police officers/detectives or public owner when the case has been adjudicated; inventories receipts, and ensures all evidence received correlates with the incoming paperwork; transports to a storage area and records the storage location on evidence records to ensure security and ease of retrieval.
• Maintains records of stolen property or contraband including the description, identification, value or cost, data acquired, location acquired, name of custodian, date of inventory, condition and disposition.
• Conducts unit inventories of property records and traces and reconciles all discrepancies. If a discrepancy cannot be reconciled, must immediately report such issue to the Records Supervisor
• Respectfully responds to calls from the general public pertaining to the disposition of evidence in police custody and appropriately arranges for discharge of material to the public upon adjudication.
• Responsible to inventory, order, receive, store, issue and ship materials, supplies and equipment used by the Police Department to maintain necessary supplies for daily operations; maintains liaison with the City Purchasing Agency to order and receive necessary materials for police operations; compiles stock control records, consumption data, and related factors to establish appropriate stock levels or replenishment needs; completes ordering of all equipment, materials, and supplies used by the Police Department.
• Travels to and completes field crime scene processing; uses digital cameras, video equipment, and measuring and diagramming techniques following established methods and procedures; searches for and recovers latent fingerprint evidence ; collects, preserves and packages different types of evidence in accordance with established procedures; produces print/impression evidence by casting and/or photographing to scale impressions to use as investigative aids.
• Acts as a key operator for the IR-8000 Breathalyzer in support of law enforcement efforts; checks calibration of the IR-8000 weekly and performs routine maintenance; runs proficiencies received from the Scientific Laboratory; testifies in court in reference to the accuracy and calibration of the instrument; prepares and presents various special and recurring reports; appears in court related to evidence collection techniques, preservation techniques, storage techniques, photographs and latent prints.
• Cross trains with Identification office. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Equivalent to a high school diploma and two (2) years experience in photography, digital and video camera operation, preferably in government or law enforcement environment. A combination of education, experience and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces Policy. Must successfully complete basic crime scene processing class, photography training and IR-8000 key operator training within one (1) year of hire.

Valid driver's license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. No felony convictions. Must pass a thorough background investigation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Basic knowledge of rules of evidence and police procedures. Organize, plan and prioritize investigation processes. Work effectively with all types of crime and accident scenes with detectives, officers and the Office of the Medical Investigator. Knowledge of personal computers and proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Maturity of judgment and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Ability to use photographic techniques and procedures under various lighting conditions; analyze situations quickly and objectively; recognize actual and potential dangers and to determine proper course of action. Ability to cope with stressful situations calmly, fairly, tactfully and with respect for co-workers and public; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Ability to adhere to established policies and procedures.