Each month, IAPE's primary instructor, Joe Latta, answers one of your questions. Consider writing us if you have a question that needs an answer. We would love to hear from you.
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Dear Joe,
I am a brand
new Evidence Custodian assigned to a Property Room where there has never been any one responsible. Evidence duties were just passed around to different officers. I just completed your video class which was very informative and has caused me to start asking a lot of questions. When I started digging into years of chaos, I found a cache of counterfeit money that has been sitting here for years. In the past, we just stored it on the shelf. I need help! What should I do with it? Can you give me any advice?
Thank you,
New Evidence Custodian
Dear New Evidence Custodian,
Over the last 10 years, we have had a number of Secret Services Evidence Specialist, Supervisors and Agents attend our classes. During any discussion about the handling of money, counterfeit bills are always discussed and we are always reminded by our Secret Service students about the high quality of the bills that are be passed around the world. As the quality improves and is sometimes indistinguishable, the bills are becoming the target of thefts in our evidence rooms.
We have attempted to address the issue in the IAPE Professional Standards. We recommend anytime an officer submits counterfeit money, that there be several special handling protocols be put in place. The ideal scenario is to have some type of money envelope or package that has prompts on the package that the denomination of the bills are included and a check box or some other marking highlighting that the package contains COUNTERFEIT MONEY.
The next suggestion is to set aside a tray, bin or shelf in the safe or money room allocated for just counterfeit money so that it can be easily monitored.
DO NOT COMMINGLE WITH GENERAL EVIDENCE!
IAPE Standards
Standard 10.1: Money - Packaging
Counterfeit notes should be packaged in a standard envelope with the quantity of the different notes documented. There is no need to add the total amount, but the quantity, denominations, and serial numbers are important. The sum of counterfeit money should not be included with other genuine money. The words SUSPECTED COUNTERFEIT should be readily visible on the front.
Standard 10.4: Money - Storage
Other valuables, such as negotiable securities, foreign money, counterfeit bills, jewelry and precious stones should also be provided additional levels of security and documentation regarding their handling and ultimate disposition.
During our classes, we routinely are asked about the handling and disposition of damaged money. Look no further, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing U.S. Department of the Treasury
can help. The following link will provide you with a method of submitting the money for redemption.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Bureau of Engraving and Printing U.S. Department of the Treasury
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Mutilated Currency Redemption
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Every year the Treasury Department handles approximately 30,000 claims and redeems mutilated currency valued at more than $30 million. The BEP redeems mutilated currency as a free public service because your money is important.
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What is considered mutilated currency?
Mutilated currency is currency which has been severely damaged - to the extent that its value is questionable or security features are missing. Currency can become mutilated in any number of ways. The most common causes are fire, water, chemicals, and explosives; animal, insect, or rodent damage; and petrification or deterioration by burying.
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What is not considered mutilated currency?
Any badly soiled, dirty, defaced, disintegrated, limp, torn, or worn out currency note that is clearly more than one-half of the original note, and does not require special examination to determine its value, is not considered mutilated.
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Lawful holders of mutilated currency may receive a redemption at full value when:
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Clearly more than 50 percent of a note identifiable as United States currency is present, along with sufficient remnants of any relevant security feature and clearly more than one-half of the original note remains; or,
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Fifty percent or less of a note identifiable as United States currency is present and the method of mutilation and supporting evidence demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Treasury that the missing portions have been totally destroyed.
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Commentary:
Timing is everything. After answering the previous question, this story came across the internet about the theft of counterfeit money. Let this be a reminder that we need to get counterfeit money to the Secret Service as soon as practical.
Regards,
Joe
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HEADLINES
Officer steals counterfeit money and spends it at Dollar General stores, SC cops say
A police officer was behind bars after she was accused of stealing counterfeit money from her department and spending it at dollar stores, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said Wednesday.
Sallica Rose Williams failed to fulfill her duties as a member of the Kingstree Police Department, according to an arrest warrant.
From July 5-8, the 46-year-old Bishopville resident took counterfeit $100 bills from the evidence section at her police department, according to the arrest warrant.
Williams confessed to the crime, and there is video surveillance of the incidents, according to the arrest warrant.
Information on how much counterfeit money Williams took from the evidence locker was not available.
She was taken to the Williamsburg County Detention Center and charged with misconduct in office, SLED said in a news release.
Messages left with the Police Department asking about Williams' employment status were not immediately returned.
The threat of counterfeit U.S. currency to the financial system of the United States has grown in recent years. Advances in technology, the availability of scanning and printing devices and the adoption of the U.S. dollar by nations as their legal tender have exacerbated the threat. To counter these threats, the Secret Service focuses on strategic international investigations targeting counterfeiters and their distribution networks. The agency has also initiated a comprehensive international forensic counterfeit detection training program for bankers and law enforcement officers overseas. https://www.secretservice.gov/investigation/#counterfeit
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