EVIDENCE CONTROL CLERK III 5068

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Under general direction, an employee in this class supervises a unit responsible for the receipt, classification, storage and release of critical and confidential items of evidence related to cases under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office, the District Attorney's Office or the Suffolk County Police Department. Testimony is given in court when necessary. Supervision may be exercised over Evidence Control Clerks and Evidence Control Clerks II engaged in the record keeping and maintenance of evidence. In the absence of unit supervisory responsibilities, the incumbent manages a complex warehouse in the Suffolk County Police Department’s Property Section containing items of evidence or has responsibility for all evidence in the Major Crimes Evidence Vault Section of the District Attorney’s Office. Work is reviewed by an administrative supervisor. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Receives evidence from submitting agencies such as Police Departments, District Attorney, Sheriff and from intra-divisional units, and issues receipts to document same;

Receives, stores, releases and recalls handguns, narcotics and monies delivered as evidence to the District Attorney’s Office;

Inspects all evidence packaging to ensure integrity;

Marks and identifies evidence in legally acceptable manner;

Examines all firearms submitted for safety and condition;

Documents receipt of evidence in computer and accession record;

Releases and recalls material evidence between the Medical Examiner's Office and the Police Department and/or District Attorney's office, and/or to and from Assistant District Attorneys for trial preparation or presentation in Court or at Grand Jury proceedings;

Notifies submitting agencies, commands and laboratory units of any problems relating to location of evidence or its transfer;

May retrieve evidence from lockers located in police precinct(s);

May distribute and release material evidence to appropriate laboratory section(s);

May burn evidence pursuant to a court order;

May prepare evidentiary displays for presentation in court;

Fields questions from police agencies regarding submission of evidence to the District Attorney’s Office;

Secures, stores and inventories evidence in vault;

Testifies in Court relating to the integrity of the chain of evidence;

Supervises the work of subordinate evidence clerks;

Plans and organizes Suffolk County Police Department property auctions;

Evaluates Suffolk County Police Department property warehouse items to determine salability of inventoried items marked for disposal;

May appraise evidentiary items for police department personnel;

May notify laboratory section head of priority cases, e.g., Grand Jury, trial, arrest, warrant requirements;

May respond evenings and/or weekends for evidence pick-up in emergency cases or when evidence lockers are full or to allow access to evidence for Assistant District Attorneys;

May file and retrieve completed laboratory reports;

May prepare typewritten forms, memos, and reports.

May transport evidence from and between various bureaus of the District Attorney's Office.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of departmental procedures and protocols for receiving, cataloging, storing and safeguarding material evidence; thorough knowledge of the interrelated procedures of storekeeping and inventory control; good knowledge of safety precautions required in the handling of firearms; skill in operating a computer terminal; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to supervise the work of personnel in a tactful and effective manner; ability to maintain good working relations with others; high degree of intellectual honesty; physical condition commensurate with demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and six (6) years of experience in inventory control and stock-keeping, two (2) of which must have been in handling material evidence from criminal cases.

PROMOTIONAL

Two (2) years of permanent competitive status as an Evidence Control Clerk II.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Within four (4) months of appointment, candidates must provide documentation of satisfactory completion of a comprehensive firearms safety course accepted by the appointing authority.

At the time of appointment and during employment in this title, candidates must possess a valid New York State driver's license.

Candidate must be eligible for security clearance to carry and transport illegal firearms and drugs.

R 03/02/18

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive