10.1. SR 07-06-2021
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 10.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session July 6, 2021 Ron Nierenhausen, Chief of Police
Item Description Reviewed by
Evidence Technician Position Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discuss the attached updated position description of the Community Service Officer II/Evidence Technician.
Background/Discussion
The City Council approved the purchase of body cameras on December 7, 2020. The Police Department entered
into a contract with Axon Industries for a five-year lease of body cameras/squad cameras.
The department received, trained on their use, and activated the program in June 2021. The need for an individual
to be in charge of coordinating the redaction and dissemination of bodycam footage has been identified. Jeff
Prehatney, who is currently a Community Service Officer II with the Elk River Police Department, has been
assigned to take on this responsibility. He has also been assigned to perform other evidence management duties
which go beyond his current job description.
Financial Impact
The position hasn’t been scored yet but will be prior to council approval. The Human Resources Manager believes
we can absorb these costs in the 2021 Police Department budget with savings from other budgeted vacancies. The
full costs would be accounted for in the 2022 Police Department budget.
Mission/Policy/Goal
N/A
Attachments
Evidence Technician position with proposed changes
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity.
Updated: August 2020
City of Elk River
Community Service Officer II/
Evidence Technician
Position Description
Department: Immediate Supervisor:
Police Special Services Sergeant
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
6NTBD Non-Exempt 3/20066/2021
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
The Community Service Officer II works under the supervision of a higher-ranking officerthe
Special Services Sergeant. Provides a variety of support services to police department such as
animal control, parking regulation enforcement, equipment maintenance, property/evidence
handling, and administrative support.
Essential Functions
1. Performs evidence management duties.
A. Receives, inventories, and maintains custody of property and evidence submitted by
department personnel such as firearms, drugs, weapons, currency, clothing, papers,
and biological samples in compliance with Minnesota Rules of Evidence and
Procedure and department policy.
B. Logs each item of evidence into computer using the barcode system.
C. Assigns property location for each item, maintaining chain of custody.
D. Updates and maintains tracking systems to accurately reflect the chain of custody for
each item (i.e., to BCA, to Court, Destroyed, Returned to Owner, etc.)
E. Received, inventories, and secures abandoned or found property; compares articles
from serial numbers and descriptive features; attempts to locate owners of property
and return property to owner.
F. Identifies the owner(s) of property, drafts correspondence, schedules and facilitates
the return of property to the owner(s). Properly documents the removal of property
in the records management system and attaches all correspondence to the case file.
G. Photographs and releases stolen items to rightful owner.
H. Copies all electronic and audio video evidence, documents, photographs, and CDs
per request from the prosecutor’s office. This includes requests from Defense
Attorneys.
A.I. Maintains a system of property and evidence destruction; being mindful of the
statutes of limitations, case dispositions, and records retention laws for each incident.
2. Performs administrative activities.
A. Schedules and maintains facilitates the maintenance service recordsfor service forof
all departmental vehicles and equipment.
B. Tracks service and fuel costs through a formal recording system.
C.B. Maintains inventory of replacement parts and supplies for vehicles and
equipmentvehicle equipment.
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C. Schedules programming maintenance and annual radar certifications.
D. Maintains department radio inventory and schedules programming and maintenance.
E. Schedules new squad builds and old squad teardowns.
D.F. Delivers agenda packets to council and various commission members, and delivery
of paperwork to the Sherburne County Government Center.
E.G. Receives public safety calls and dispatch appropriate units.Schedules and facilitates
delivery and pickup of money and documents for other city departments.
3. Performs animal control duties.
A. Receives and responds to citizen complaints and reports from other
agencies/departments on alleged violations of city codes and ordinances, related to
animal control; conducts investigations; interviews complaints and witnesses;
processes, analyzes, and collects evidence as required; documents findings; and
initiates appropriate enforcement action.
A.B. Picks up stray animals found during routine patrol or in response to a complaint.
B.C. Maintains records of controlled animals and their disposition.Maintains accurate
documentation and inspects dangerous or potentially dangerous animals and
monitors their disposition.
D. Responds to other types of animal complaints.
E. Annual commercial and private kennel inspections.
C.F. Provides testimony in court or in administrative hearings related to dangerous animal
declaration.
Tranquilizes problem animals in accordance with department policy and with
supervisor’s approval.
4. Performs patrol duties.
A. Patrols city to enforce parking regulations and enforce animal code.
B. Observes traffic and other law enforcement problems and reports for action by
patrol officers.
C. Responds to non-criminal public calls for service. (i.e. lock-outs, motorist assists,
abandoned vehicles, found/lost property, etc.)
D. Provides other support to police officers as needed/directed. (i.e. traffic control,
transportation, etc.)
D.E. Performs money detail and retrieval of park donations.
5. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge, skill, and ability to effectively collect and catalog items of evidence and found
property, understanding rules of criminal procedure and chain of custody.
Knowledge of methods and recognized training in the use of tranquilizers and tranquilizer
weapons.
Knowledge of breeds and temperaments of various animals (primarily dogs and cats).
Knowledge of methods and techniques of animal control and apprehension.
Knowledge, skill, and ability to effectively use personal and departmental equipment.
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Skill to communicate effectively with a variety of groups such as youth, business people, and
seniors.
Ability to learn codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations pertaining to parking enforcement,
animal control, and related areas.
Ability to learn procedures involved in the enforcement of codes and ordinances including
methods and techniques of conducting and documenting field investigations.
Ability to interpret and apply applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations related to parking
enforcement and animal control issues.
Ability to operate word processing and computer software, records management systems,
evidence bar coding systems, data copying and redaction software, and other technology.
Ability to provide efficient customer service and communicate clearly and objectively, other
verbally and in writing.
Ability to organize and prioritize work, exercise independent judgment, and take initiative.
Ability to follow instructions and directions with minimal guidance.
Ability to comprehend and apply federal, state, county, and city criminal, traffic, and other
civil laws.
Ability to prepare routine reports, case files, and correspondence.
Ability to work under stressful situations involving intense public contact.
Ability to exercise sound judgment to enforce specified ordinances.
Ability to work within the scope of this position’s duties and authority.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.
First responder certification.
Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
Preferred Qualifications
Law enforcement education or experience.
Typing experience.
This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is within the City of Elk River’s discretion
to assign additional duties and responsibilities or remove duties and responsibilities at any time.
This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Employment.
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