Evidence Control Attendant

Job Information

Overall Purpose

Under the supervision of the Evidence Control Unit Supervisor, the Evidence Control Attendant is responsible for transporting, receiving, documenting, controlling and releasing recovered property, court exhibits and evidence, including narcotics, cash, and firearms; pickup of lost and found property; handling telephone and in person inquiries from internal and external contacts and members of the public; and assisting with shipping and receiving of property at the loading dock. 

Major Responsibilities include:

• As part of a team of Evidence Control Attendants, conduct Property Retrieval activities. 
• Maintain property inventory and continuity of evidence on in-house computer Records Management System (RMS) and on hardcopy history cards. 
• Provide client-centred service to a variety of internal and external community partners as well as members of the general public.

Major Responsibilities

As part of a team of Evidence Control Attendants, conducts Property Retrieval activities: 

• Responds to calls where immediate Police Officer attendance is not necessary utilizing the same equipment as officers (mobile and portable radios, vehicles and in-house computers); retrieve all DPR (deferred property retrieval) items i.e. bikes, tools, etc.; assist Fraud section with counterfeit pick-ups.
• Attends Divisional Property / Evidence locker rooms daily for property retrieval, which may include the handling and transportation of firearms and cannabis.
• Attends provincial court to review, verify and return exhibits that are no longer required for trial.
• Attends for call-back, as required, to assist officers with large search warrant seizures, drugs calls, etc. where assistance is required to transport property / evidence.
   

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Maintain property inventory and continuity of evidence on in-house computer Records Management System (RMS) and on hardcopy history cards: 

• Logging of initial property entry as well as general maintenance and quality assurance of all property reports.
• Logging of high-risk items, such as money, firearms, and narcotics.  Regular correspondence and reporting to other Government departments as required.
• Report writing, note taking, call tracking, property log maintenance.
• Research exhibits upon completion of Court or investigation to ensure no duplicate entries are entered into the property module.
• Confirm disposal authorization and coordinate for the destruction of firearms and narcotics.
• Perform Discrepancy and Browse reports (audits).
• Complete Disposal Reports as per ECU SOPs.
• Dispose of items to be destroyed as per policy 5.25, Property-Recovered, Seized, Found.
• Coordinate with and assist third party companies with specialized disposals, such as biohazardous materials.
   

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Provide client-centred service to a variety of internal and external community partners as well as members of the general public: 

• Correspond with officers regularly in an attempt to dispose of property, release property to owners and for court purposes and to maintain records.
• Perform all reasonable efforts to locate owners for items for release; research various databases, including Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).
• Correspond with general public regarding return of property and / or determination of owner.
• Assist with inquiries from general public regarding lost / stolen items (i.e. recovered or not).
• Liaise with Seized Property Management Directorate (SPMD), Passport Canada, Bank of Canada, RCMP, etc. regarding various policies relating to seizure and disposition of property.
• Correspond with Health Canada regarding destruction of narcotics; prepare and maintain Seizure and Disposition Report for every narcotic seized.
• Correspond with GC Surplus and Rideau Auctions, regarding sealed bid sales (public sale).
• Liaise with external courier companies to ensure appropriate transport of property/documents to external partners and members of the public, as required.
• Provide guidance and support to sworn officers and civilians on workflow issues and Evidence Control policy and procedures.
• Works jointly with the Drug Section and coordinates disposal of drugs.
• Facilitate the OPS Auction Function.
• Represents ECU at Joint H&S Committee Meetings. 
• Assist and advise the RMS Applications Coordinator / Business Solutions Support staff during preparation and delivery of RMS upgrades; test and implement upgrades of the software; submit and monitor RMS enhancement requests.
• Attendants can be called to upon to testify in court.  A thorough understanding of notetaking, report writing, and court procedures are necessary.

Perform other duties as required or directed.
 

Statement of Required Qualifications

1. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Completion of Secondary School - Grade 12 or equivalent plus (1) one year relevant post secondary education. 
• Experience and formal training combined may substitute for stipulated education requirements. 
• One (1)  – two (2) years related experience including: 
  • Effectively dealing with public inquiries and complaints. 
  • Experience providing service to both internal and external clients of various groups and working in a team environment. 

2. LANGUAGE 

• English – fluency in oral, reading, and writing. 

Certifications and Licences

• Possess and maintain valid Ontario or Quebec Provincial Driver’s License.   

• Candidates will be subject to successfully passing the two stage driving test administered by the OPS Professional Development Centre. 

In service Training

• The following mandatory training and education is provided to all employees of the OPS: 
  • Occupational Health & Safety. 
  • Respectful Workplace.  
  • Violence in the Workplace. 
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). 
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).  
  • Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE).
• Records Management System (RMS) & Property Module.
• Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) training will be provided. 
  • CPKN CPIC Query / Narrative Online Course. 
• Within one (1) year of obtaining position, the incumbent is expected to participate in the following programs: 
  • Working at Heights Training. 
  • OPS Firearms Safety course. 
  • Forklift Training Certification. 
  • International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE) Course sponsored by Canadian law Enforcement agency (CIAPE). 
  • RCMP Firearm Verifier Course.
  • PDC Testifying in Court Course.

All employees of the OPS are expected to complete all additional and new mandatory training as prescribed by the Office of the Chief.

Job Knowledge

• Working knowledge of: 
  • The Organization’s Mission, Vision and Values. 
  • Microsoft Word and Excel. 
  • General Office procedures. 
  • Ottawa geographical region. 
• Understanding of OPS organizational structure.  
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of client centered service. 
• Understanding the importance of evidence continuity. 
• Understanding of police procedures related to the control of evidence and stolen property. 
• Working knowledge of Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). 

OPS Competencies

Hours of Work

Effort and Working Conditions

Must be able to drive a large cargo van with sometimes-limited sight due to cargo, i.e. ability to back-up a cargo van with use of mirrors only.

Work is performed in a warehouse environment.  

As outlined in the 2019 Physical Demands Profile, there is a heavy component of physical activity, including the movement of objects of all shapes and sizes, using hand carts, power forklifts and light vehicles.

• Reaching, extending, and carrying large, heavy boxes and articles.
• Climbing ladders and staircases while holding items/inventory.
• Pulling / pushing heavy, sometimes unbalanced loads, using hand carts and pallet lifters.
• Working in cold/narrow spaces for extended periods of time.
• Loading and unloading heavy objects into/from large cargo vehicles, sometimes in the outdoors, where weather can cause dangerous conditions.
• Ability to manipulate specific functions and actions of specialized warehouse machinery and components.

Hazards include handling firearms, ammunition, narcotics, and materials, which may include disease carrying bodily fluids.
 

Desired Qualifications

• Oral, reading, and writing fluency in French or other languages.
• Prior clerical or shipping receiving experience.
• Experience in a police environment.
• General knowledge of all OPS sections and organizational structure. 
• Understanding of the various functions of the Evidence Control Unit.
• Records Management System (RMS), including the Property and Court modules and an understanding of retention polici    es
• Understanding of various court and judicial processes, appeal processes and timelines, including working with court related documents.
• Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).
• Certified as a Firearms Verifier through the RCMP.