Who's on First?

For those of you keeping score, this recent news about marijuana may not come as a surprise. Read more about it.

Premature Purging in the Spotlight

This article from yesterday’s the San Francisco Chronicle, highlights yet again the awesome responsibility we share as custodians of property and evidence.

The intake, maintenance, storage, security, and disposal, of all property and evidence should be managed with the utmost care and in accordance with all laws.

Above all, you should not be disposing of any Property or Evidence without prior approval from the prosecuting attorney or investigating officer in every case. 

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Our hearts and prayers are with all at the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department this week. R.I.P. Deputy Paris.

April Firearm Tip

If you're not tracing your firearms through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives e-Trace system, you're agency is missing out on some vital statistical information. Tracing provides law enforcement agencies a historical view of the firearm from the first sale by the manufacturer or importer to the first retail purchaser.

Additionally, a trace can also link a suspect to a firearm in a criminal investigation, highlight potential traffickers and provide statistical information to your investigations unit. These are just a few of the benefits.

For more information, contact the ATF customer service office @ 800.788.7133 or log onto https://www.atfonline.gov/etrace/ to apply for your MOU and get started now!

Lastly, consider inviting your local ATF agent to make a presentation at your agency. You might be surprised at what you may not know!

Heading Out of the Cave!

We’ll be attending the 2012 California Association of Property and Evidence (CAPE) Training Seminar next week at the Burlingame Marriott. Will you be there? The seminar board members have spent months working to make this seminar the best yet. The course offerings throughout the 4-day event will provide a wealth of information to all participants.

If you're not already a member, you should consider joining this elite group of law enforcement professionals. The people you meet, networking opportunities, and training available are important for staying current with property and evidence trends and practices.

We hope to see you there! Please stop by our booth and say hello.

Project: Clean Cave

When I visit evidence rooms, more often than not, I find they are typically understaffed and overworked.

If you're one of those legions of folks, start with one corner. By that, I mean to select one project or even a corner of your evidence room and devise a plan to tackle the issue.

Consider revising a policy, clean off a shelf or section of shelves, request an "All Law Enforcement Audit" through California Department of Justice. Give yourself an end date and whittle away at the proverbial pile.

You may even consider taking before and after photos. It can be so rewarding to recognize your progress. You'll soon be amazed how soon you see results!

March Firearm Tip

In addition to the 2012 Penal Code changes on the Law Enforcement Gun Release Application or “LEGRA”, your legal department and agency head may wish to take this opportunity to revisit  the language relating to possessor/ownership requirements on your Notice of Rights and Receipt as well as your Firearm Policy.

Honing your Notice of Rights and Property Receipt and Firearm Policy will:

• Provide for the update of new penal codes on all documents;
• Define your return policy for the possessor and agency employees;
• Reduce confusion for officers in the field when faced with questions regarding any firearm confiscation;
• Reduce or lessen liability issues for your agency.

Visit the California Attorney General’s website to review the 2012 LEGRA.

February Firearm Tip

If a firearm appears to be involved in a suicide or attempted suicide, it must be entered into the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System as a “Crime Gun”.

You may also contact the California Department of Justice Firearms Unit for further information at 916.263.4887 or visit their website.