Is it normal for police officers to keep confiscated guns/drugs at their houses?

Ken

In order for any evidence to be used at trial a chain of custody must be established. If an officer takes the evidence home, that would generally destroy the chain of custody.

leslie S

It depends on the jurisdiction. In many smaller towns officers are charged with keeping the inventoried items until trial. It simplifies the chain of evidence.

Fewer and fewer places are still doing this. No large town, that I know of, has their officers still do this.

Drugs normally would not be kept since they need to be turned in for testing to prove they are contraband.

Christy S

That is not normal at all. In the case of items that are confiscated from someone, there has to be a chain of custody done. A chain of custody is a legal document that tells who had what piece of evidence for how long, and then what it also states what they did with the evidence.

Lady G

I wouldn't think so. Isn't there some room where they lock evidence up?

Hammer

No.

anoldmick

Not only is it not normal, it is not legal.

rowdysunsetart

NO they can get in deep trouble for it..they have to turn in and document any thing they get from any person mostly if it is drugs or guns...go to his superior officer if you feel there is cause...that is the best way so you are protected. hope it helps.

robbocop

Not necessarily, but possible. The officer is responsible for the evidence. He must maintain a chain of evidence of everyone that handles it. Most bigger departments has an evidence technician that all evidence is to be turned over to and he has sole custody of it until it is used in trial. It is then to be turned back over to him for proper disposal or storage. But, some smaller departments do not have evidence technicians and therefore the individual officer is to maintain custody of the evidence. this includes guns and drugs. However, he must be able to maintain the integrity of the evidence in order for it to be used in court. He is also responsible for the destruction and/or storage of the evidence post-trial.

beachy

for the crooked ones it is.

soulflower

Ken is right. My husband was a cop. Where I am from there was a big scandal because the cops didn't follow the chain..they took them away from the evidence room and the drugs got "replaced"...it was a HUGE mess.

I pray that he doesn't put them back on the streets (some do and many do this in order to keep snitches paid) and I feel sorry for the other officers who will have to pay as a dept when this screw up gets caught.

I also feel bad for the community he patrols.

renee-nay

uuuuuhhh, naw man that crap goes in tha evidence locker, only, they could lose their badge 4 that shiz... and if you wanna report them then here u go bro:http://www.copwatchla.org//newsaction.cgi?article=99999985451476

penydred

Only if they are working for the Mob......

Richard P

If a policeman takes something and doesnt charge you with a crime, or give you a reciept/report, thats armed robbery.

caldude1010101

Depends on your definition of "normal"

David B

Yes it's normal...illegal but normal.

There are some dirty cops out there for sure. This is normal behaviour for a compromised officer.

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