IAPE Monthly Newsletter & Updates |
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Ask Joe...Each month, IAPE's primary instructor and Executive Director, Joe Latta, answers one of your questions pertaining to your everyday property and evidence room questions.
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Dear Joe,
Over the last several months I have been watching local news about an arrest in nearby jurisdiction’s being made for the theft of catalytic converters.
To be honest I wasn’t clear on what a catalytic was or why anyone would be stealing.
Seeing as though the theft issue wasn’t an issue in my community, I paid little attention. Until this morning! I received over 50 catalytic converters shown in my attached photo from a search warrant and arrest yesterday. Now, it’s my problem! I have absolutely no idea on the best method to store them. Can IAPE provide any guidance in the best practice for storing catalytic converters.
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Dear Catrina,
Another event or trend. Catalytic converters are amongst the most unwieldy, items that may be submitted to a property room. More than likely catalytic converters will never be identified for return to owners or go to court. Let me provide some thoughts on the storage and disposition of catalytic converters.
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Due to the unusual shapes and sizes of catalytic converters, there are only a few practical methods for storage. Most of these options are for those that are receiving significant numbers as opposed to one or two.
Due to their unusual shapes, storing on the floor can create a safety issue with staff possibly tripping on them.
The first option, dependent on quality is some type of cages or bin that can contain the items.
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The choices may be wire cages, Gaylord Boxes or collapsible plastic containers as shown
Using heavy duty rack shelving is another option for consideration. These shelves come in almost any dimension needed.
Catalytic Converter Disposition
An additional consideration may be the photographing and early disposal of the items, with the case officers and or prosecutors’ approval, lessening the need for additional shelving and container.
Hope these suggestions will help your find a solution
Commentary…. Each year there are new events and trends that impact our inventories. Included in recent times have been lithium batteries, fentanyl it’s a good thing we picked up on that no and now property belonging to the homeless. Here’s one that has exasperated everyone having to store catalytic converters. They I’m just explaining it to you are a nuisance to store and will probably never go to court. Due to the value of the metals contained in the converters, don’t expect this one to go away soon.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, as of December 2020, rhodium was valued at $14,500 per ounce, palladium at $2,336 per ounce, and platinum at $1,061 per ounce. Typically, scrap metal dealers will pay $50 to $250 per catalytic converter.
Searching the internet find that several states including California, South Carolina and Tennessee are addressing the issue by possibly sanctioning scrap metal dealers. We will see!
Regards,
Joe Latta - Executive Director
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Police seize 1,000 catalytic converters
stolen from Maine vehicles
August 13, 2021
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HOULTON, Maine (WMTW) — Ten people are facing charges after Maine State Police said they seized more than 1,000 catalytic converters stolen from vehicles in northern Maine.
Police said they have been investigating the thefts of catalytic converters in northern Penobscot and southern Aroostook counties for several months.
Investigators said the ten people charged sold the catalytic converters for more than $190,000. The thefts date back to December 2019.
Officials said the estimated replacement cost of the catalytic converters is more than $2 million.
State police said the case remains under investigation and more charges are pending.
Police said the theft of catalytic converters has become a major problem in Maine. Catalytic converters are difficult to trace and match up to a particular vehicle.
Officials said it can cost about $2,000 to replace a catalytic converter, and they are typically sold as scrap for between $150 and $1,500 depending on the level of precious metals contained within the converter.
Police said Maine law requires that anyone selling a catalytic converter sign an affidavit swearing the converter is not stolen and must produce a photo ID.
Copyright 2021 WABI. All rights reserved.
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Commentary: many of the actions within a property room require a two-person rule which adds a layer of protection for actions that is taken a in property room, especially dealing with either guns or drug. This concept is as noted in the last paragraph in the story “will no longer be entrusted to a single employee, but rather require two individuals” This is a hugh loss for the department as well a the potential loss of critical homicide evidence. Review your procedures and ensure there are safeguards in place that protect the evidence and agency |
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World Class Training in “Best-Practices” For
Evidence & Property Room Management
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We offer dozens of classes per year across the U.S. and Canada, taught by current and former law enforcement officials with extensive real-world experience in management of property and evidence. This two-day course is ideal for those responsible for, or actively involved in, the operation, supervision or management of a Property and Evidence Unit. All training topics address best business practices and professional standards.
Registration to any 2-Day class now includes the digital download of
"Property and Evidence By The Book" 2nd Edition.
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2-Day Classes 2021
September
Batavia, Ohio
Citrus Heights, California
October
Toledo, Ohio
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Minneapolis, Minnesota
November
Chesterfield, Missouri
December
Burbank, California
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Supervisor Classes 2021
September
Citrus Heights, California
October
Minneapolis, Minnesota
NEW Clerk of the Courts Class
August
Hanover, Virginia
2 Day Classes 2022
February
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Need Training Right Now?
IAPE also offers ONLINE TRAINING
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The Full online course class option is a great choice if you want much of the same training as the Live classes but without the travel and time away from the department. The IAPE Property and Evidence Management video Course is approximately 14 hours in length and was prepared by Law Enforcement Personnel for Law Enforcement Personnel. Completion of the course meets the training requirements for becoming a Certified Property and Evidence Specialist (CPES).
*Registration to any 2-Day class now includes the digital download of
"Property and Evidence By The Book" 2nd Edition.
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Got a Job? Need a Job?
IAPE is delighted to announce that we have a new section for posting a job announcement or checking job opportunities.
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Become a Certified Evidence Specialist
Along with the IAPE's extensive evidence training courses, the IAPE offers our members the opportunity to become Certified Property and Evidence Specialists.
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IAPE | www.IAPE.org | 800-449-4273
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