City of Morgan Hill Public Safety Master Plan

these issues by informing department personnel of their responsibilities, outline acceptable procedures to follow, establish general performance standards, and create consistency among employees in carrying out their numerous tasks. The MHPD Property and Evidence (P&E) function is assigned to the Support Services manager. The day-to-day management of the function is handled by a civilian property technician. A detailed MHPD policy (804), “Property Procedures,” outlines the handling, storage, processing, and management of P&E. The policy provides guidance for the recovery, packaging, labeling, and storage of narcotics, money, jewelry, and firearms. The P&E room is located in a separate portion of the police building, with separate alarmed entrances and security cameras. The entry door is monitored by a single camera monitored in the communications center and provides security video of the property room entrance. A log is maintained to track persons entering the P&E room who are always under escort of the assigned property technician. Keys and access codes are in the possession of three MHPD personnel: the assigned property and evidence technician, a records clerk assigned as the backup P&E technician, and the Support Services manager. Property and evidence coming into the possession of a MHPD officer is entered into the Executive Information Services (EIS) mobile data module. The entry is documented on the officer’s original report. A property record and a computer-produced label, including a bar code, are generated. The item is labeled, packaged where appropriate, and placed in an evidence locker adjacent to the property and evidence room. Each locker has an individual key which is deposited into the locker through a small opening after the locker is secured and locked. The property and evidence technician enters the property and evidence room and retrieves the deposited item. The item and label are verified against the property receipt and the item is placed on shelving in the property and evidence room. Narcotics, money, and other valuables are placed in one of two safes housed in the room. Property release is available to the public, Monday through Friday. In its review of the P&E function, CPSM staff found the P&E room to be well kept and neatly organized. All property and evidence inspected was tagged, packaged, and stored as required. The P&E log was up to date and easily manipulated to retrieve specific data on particular pieces of evidence. Property approved for destruction had been recently picked up by the disposal vendor. Records regarding the disposed property were detailed and complete. The assigned technician was very knowledgeable of the content and organization of the P&E room, and the policy and procedures affecting his assignment, and he conveyed a commitment to maintaining the integrity of all property and evidence coming into the possession of MHPD. In December 2014, the MHPD P&E operation was audited by a private firm, DB Consulting. It was the eighth such audit conducted by DB consulting. In the auditor’s report it was stated that the operation was in the top two percent of law enforcement property rooms in California. MHPD is to be commended for its management of this important function.

Recommendation: None offered.

Police Operations and Data Analysis Report, Morgan Hill, California

61