Did you notice? The regular "Standards" column of the last issue of The Evidence Log
(Volume 98, Number 1) discussed temporary lockers and storage. That column deviated from its regular practice of incorporating references to some of the few documents in the property management field which are generally accepted as guidelines. Apparently some of our members are building their own property manuals through this "Standards" column, and noticed the omission.

So especially for you, here are the standards that could, and probably should, have been included with the "Property Standards #5: Temporary Evidence Storage" article in the last issue. Thanks for noticing!

Actually, there are almost no guidelines for temporary storage in the six or so documents generally accepted as beneficial in evaluating property management systems. Two that touch on it are listed below. The CALEA standard mentioned first is very general, but points out that each storage area has special hazards, and temporary storage facilities certainly fall in that category. The California POST standard mentions the need for secure temporary facilities, but doesn't go into any detail. We propose that the best guideline would be to keep in mind that the chain of custody for a piece of evidence goes from the time it is first observed to the time that it is presented to the court. Therefore, we need to insure that temporary storage does not become a weak link in that chain.

In addition to the general property room(s) or facilities, the agency needs to provide secure storage for large items such as vehicles, bicycles, appliances, and the like. Special areas and/or procedures should be provided. External areas, such as impoundment lots, are vulnerable. When assessing the degree of security to provide, the agency should weigh the importance of the property it is placing in these areas and the consequences if the property is stolen, damaged, or contaminated while in custody. CALEA 84.1.2

Usually at least three types of secure storage facilities are used by an agency in the operation of it evidence function. The first is a secure evidence room for the storage of guns, narcotics and valuable items. The second is a secure storage area for the storage of flammable materials and large items such as bicycles, tires and wheels, furniture, etc., and the third area would be to secure all other property and evidence. The separation of homicide evidence is always a excellent practice, since it is so infrequently removed from the confines of the property room.

In addition, an agreement should be made with either another department within the city or with a private enterprise for the care of certain items that cannot be facilitated in the evidence room, or for emergency / temporary situations. When various pieces of evidence are booked into the property system it is necessary to temporarily store these items in some type of temporary lockers. POST - Managing Property In Law Enforcement Agencies, 1984, Page 3.