Applicable To: Property Control Unit employees

Approval Authority:  Chief Richard J. Pennington

Signature:  Signed by RJP

Date Signed:  6/26/08

1.               PURPOSE

The intent of this directive is to establish procedures for the timely disposal of property and evidence associated with City ordinance violations and misdemeanor crimes.  

2.               POLICY

The Atlanta Police Department will hold all property and evidence associated with City ordinance violations and misdemeanor crimes until it is no longer needed for prosecution or until a reasonable period of time has elapsed.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              Bureau, division, section and Property Control Unit commanders are responsible for the implementation of this directive within their commands. 

3.2              Property Control Unit employees will comply with this directive.

4.               ACTION

4.1              The Property Control Unit will conduct monthly audits of all cases involving City ordinance violations and misdemeanor Crimes.

4.1.1           If property or evidence is found to be more than two years old and associated with a city ordinance violation, the property or evidence will be automatically pulled for disposal. 

4.1.2           If property or evidence is found to be more than four years old and associated with a misdemeanor crime, the property or evidence will be automatically pulled for disposal.

4.2              The Property Control Unit will notify the City of Atlanta’s and the Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton County’s Solicitor’s Office each time property or evidence from a case is to be pulled.  The Property Control Unit will request notification if the solicitor’s offices feel that the disposal of property or evidence will jeopardize any case.

4.3              The Property Control Unit will obtain a court order prior to the disposal of any property or evidence associated with the violation of City ordinances or misdemeanor crimes.

5.               DEFINITIONS

                  N/A

6.               CANCELLATIONS

                  N/A

7.               REFERENCES

                  APD.SOP.6030 “Property and Evidence Control”

                  O.C.G.A. Section 17, Chapter 5, Article 3 “Disposition of Property Seized.”

                  City of Atlanta Code of Ordinance Sections 98-48 and 98-49.