420.01: Property and Evidence Control

Question 1

What is an Audit, according to this policy?

Answer 1

AN Official examination of the evidence room. A random sampling of evidence being held by the PD is inspected to ensure compliance of this policy

Question 2

How often will there be unannounced Audits?

Answer 2

at least annualy

Question 3

Who conducts unannounced audits?

Answer 3

someone not directly connected to property or evidence control

Question 4

What is “Disposition” according to this policy?

Answer 4

the return, destruction or otherwise legal release of evidence and property from the possession or control of NPD

Question 5

What is the difference between found property and held for safe keeping property?

Answer 5

found property has no known owner, held for safekeeping, the owner is known

Question 6

What are some “high risk property/evidence?”

Answer 6

Narcotics/controlled substances
money
firearms
any property having large monetary value

Question 7

What is the “impounding Officer?”

Answer 7

the member of the PD who initially receives the evidence and initiates the chain of custody

Question 8

When evidence is stored in the south sally port, who can give authorization to police personnel to access the evidence

Answer 8

A CID supervisor

Question 9

Can currency be grouped together with other property for property number purposes?

Answer 9

No, it must be given its own PR number

Question 10

Where are perishable(blood, bodily fluids, etc.) property items stored?

Answer 10

in refrigerator in the BCI office

Question 11

True or False, property such as High evidence property, weapons, drugs can all be stored together?

Answer 11

False, they each need their own separate secure storage area

Question 12

Unless money is needed as evidence, where is it eventually transferred?

Answer 12

Interest bearing account in accordance with RIGL 33-21.1-14.1(b).

Question 13

How long does money remain in the account and where does it go when it is removed after that period of time?

Answer 13

3 years and then submitted to the RI general fund

Question 14

How often is the prosecution department to notify the BCI officer of disposed cases for which evidence is no longer needed?

Answer 14

weekly

Question 15

What are the exceptions to firearms and other contraband being destroyed?

Answer 15

1. If the court authorizes its use by NPD

2. if the firearms is required by state law to be returned to its owner

Question 16

The destruction of drugs and other controlled substances are to be inventoried and documented prior to being disposed. How many Officers must witness this and who are the officers?

Answer 16

2 Officers total;
1 being the BCI Officer
1 being designated by the Administrative Services Division Commander

Question 17

How often is the BCI Officer to inspect the Evidence room and recovered property room

Answer 17

Semi annually (twice each year)

Question 18

When is a “joint inventory” to be conducted?

Answer 18

Whenever the BCI/Property officer is reassigned

Question 19

Who does a joint inventory?

Answer 19

the BCI Officer or Department Armorer and;

A supervisor designated by the Chief

Question 20

What Officers can test powdered substances, regardless of if they are known?

Answer 20

Only Vice Detectives

Question 21

What types of powders are to be double bagged?

Answer 21

Fentanyl and unknown powders

Question 22

For authorized personnel, how many must be present when testing powdered substances and pills?

Answer 22

2: 1 person testing inside the testing room, the other outside but able to visibly see the testing officer. The second Officer is to reamin in sight of the sally port camera.