Property and Evidence Committee Report 4/14/08
by Kelly Donnelly
Mercer Island Police Department

Our Group Email Network has continued to increase through inquiries directed to
LEIRA. We have been able to reach out to agencies throughout the state to
participate in our “network of information” that is specific to our jobs.

Our email group now consists of 132 individuals which comprise 90 agencies – up
from 2007. Over the last several months, the topics of information and resources
that were shared covered the following:

1. Personal assistance to very small agencies with limited budget – i.e. Tribal Police
    with no electronic evidence tracking program
2. Updated contact Lists for tracing computers/MP3 players
3. Bulk marijuana storage
4. Evidence retained by Superior Courts
5. Sharing of Job Postings
6. Air Quality Testing
7. Biohazard disposal
8. Resources for temporary lockers
9. Uniforms/clothing allowance
10. New policy for usage of Nucor Steel
11. Unclaimed property (examination of 63.29 and 63.32, 35 & 40)

I have spent time researching an existing “Certification Program” in other states
for Property and Evidence technicians to uses as a model to develop one for
this state. Oregon is also interested in putting together a similar program; however,
there does not seem to be a program in place.

I have begun a list of potential topics that should be included for training under
such a program and also some “test questions” that might be considered.
Problematic is the issue of how and when training covering these topics would
be offered. Because logistics have prevented an initial meeting to brainstorm
ideas between the individuals who have expressed interest in working on this
project, I am considering creating an email group to facilitate the exchange of
ideas via email.

I am hoping to host a Regional Group meeting on Mercer Island before summer.
I have identified a possible speaker for a presentation. I will be contacting the
Exhibit Manager for the King County Superior Court to inquire about a presentation
that pertains to physical evidence taken from our agencies as court exhibits and the
procedures that the courts follow in disposal of exhibits. I am also still hoping to
procure a speaker from the US Attorneys Office to discuss Federal Crimes that
begin with local agencies and the corresponding physical evidence.

Sadly, our network has also been utilized to pass on the news of the unexpected
passing of one of our own, Danny Armstrong, a long time Property and Evidence
staff member at Bellevue PD who many of us had the pleasure of meeting and
working with through our group. The reality of bonding together as a unit has
now brought about the revelation that we must equally share grief and feel loss
as we have shared the accomplishments of our efforts.

I hope everyone has a fruitful and fun experience at this Conference; unfortunately,
I will be out of town and will not be able to attend this time. I’ll just have to have
the pool girl get me another cocktail and try to get over not being there with you all.

I have begun a list of potential topics that should be included for training under such
a program and also some “test questions” that might be considered. Problematic is
the issue of how and when training covering these topics would be offered.
Because logistics have prevented an initial meeting to brainstorm ideas between
the individuals who have expressed interest in working on this project, I am
considering creating an email group to facilitate the exchange of ideas via email.
I am hoping to host a Regional Group meeting on Mercer Island before summer.
I have identified a possible speaker for a presentation. I will be contacting the
Exhibit Manager for the King County Superior Court to inquire about a presentation
that pertains to physical evidence taken from our agencies as court exhibits and
the procedures that the courts follow in disposal of exhibits. I am also still hoping
to procure a speaker from the US Attorneys Office to discuss Federal Crimes that
begin with local agencies and the corresponding physical evidence. Sadly, our
network has also been utilized to pass on the news of the unexpected passing of
one of our own, Danny Armstrong, a long time Property and Evidence staff member
at Bellevue PD who many of us had the pleasure of meeting and working with
through our group. The reality of bonding together as a unit has now brought about
the revelation that we must equally share grief and feel loss as we have shared
the accomplishments of our efforts. I hope everyone has a fruitful and fun
experience at this Conference; unfortunately, I will be out of town and will not
be able to attend this time. I’ll just have to have the pool girl get me another
cocktail and try to get over not being there with you all.

Kelly Donnelly
Mercer Island Police Department
(206) 275-7931
Kelly.Donnelly@mercergov.org