Property and Evidence Team
The Property and Evidence Team is staffed by three Police Technicians, Monday through Friday. These technicians are responsible for booking in found property and all evidence items brought to them by department personnel. The property is stored until it can be returned to the legal owner, the case has been adjudicated in court, or until the statute of limitations has expired. Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 items of evidence pass through the Property and Evidence Team each year. These items consist of bicycles, firearms, money, drugs, backpacks, checks, credit cards, audio and video equipment, furniture, computers and a variety of other items.
Property is released to the rightful owner or their designee with photo identification (such as a driver's license, ID card or passport), by appointment only from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments are scheduled so the technicians will be available at the designated time to release property. The technicians are not always in their office as they spend most of their time researching cases to determine if property may be returned. The Property and Evidence Team try to respond to all phone messages by the end of the next business day. Appointments may be scheduled by phoning (707) 543-3618.
FAQ'S
If I find a bicycle and turn it in can I later claim it?
No. By City Ordinance we are required to turn over all unclaimed bicycles to our storekeeper who fixes up the bikes and distributes them to needy children through contacts at social services.
If I find and turn in any other property (i.e. money, jewelry, etc.), may I later claim it?
Yes. Except for firearms and illegal items any other property turned in as found property may be returned to the finder. There is a 90 day waiting period during which the owner may claim lost property. After 90 days has passed the reporting party (finder) may claim the property.
Why must I make an appointment to claim my property?
Appointments are scheduled so that a property technician can be made available to handle your case on a one on one basis without interruption. The property technicians may be in court, transporting evidence to the Department of Justice Forensics Laboratory or may be viewing evidence with an attorney.
I have a court order that requires SRPD to return my property, why do I still need an appointment?
By law, the Santa Rosa Police Department is allowed 10 days to return property upon receipt of a court order. This allows the investigating officer to be notified of the order and to determine if the property is still needed for the investigation. If so, the investigator may contact the court and notify a judge why the property should remain in the custody of the Santa Rosa Police Department. The judge then makes a determination whether the property should be returned or remain in police custody.
Why does it take so long for me to get my property back?
Property booked in as evidence of a crime is held for 90 days past the date of sentencing or dismissal. If no charges are filed, property is held until the statute of limitations has expired (3 years for most felony cases, 1 year for misdemeanor cases) or the investigator of the case authorizes the release of the property, whichever is sooner.
If a firearm is among the items requested, a background investigation must be conducted in order to verify the legal owner is eligible to possess the weapon. This may be accomplished within one day or, depending on the background of the owner, may require contacting the Department of Justice Gun Denial Unit for clearance. If we contact the Department of Justice it will most likely take 2-3 months to obtain clearance.
If the property was taken under a search warrant, a court order is required to release the property.