How to get items back from the Police, that they "lost"

[Muncher]

Not enough was the gist of it.

[paradigital]

Greendubber said:

What, that bobbies are helping themselves to items from detained property?

What are they doing about it then?

They’ll probably put up a few speed and ANPR cameras, such is the police solution to everything these days.

[Greendubber]

Muncher said:

Not enough was the gist of it.

In almost 15 years of policing I have never seen or heard anything about anyone stealing items from DP.

For a start our access systems dont allow us into the stores! The property system is all one massive evidential audit trail, could you ask how many times they have seen it as I'm curious.

[Muncher]

I will ask them, my recollection was that one of them said access was not restricted in a particularly meaningful way.

[Greendubber]

Muncher said:

I will ask them, my recollection was that one of them said access was not restricted in a particularly meaningful way.

Which force? You've disclosed quite a serious matter so if they're not dealing with it someone needs to know about it and do something.

[Bigends]

Years ago, the property store key at my station was on the front office keyboard. We used to take a lot of found property over the front desk so needed access
Anyone could access the store to remove / replace property - signing it out and the reason given in a register.

Generally property would only be retained in sub station stores for a day or so before being transferred to a secure - one key - divisional store. If property was to be returned - an application to the property officer was made and it would be despatched back over the following day - back to the store with unrestricted access - lots of opportunity for dishonesty but I never knew it happen.

Property was managed on a local basis and tightly audited

All property was returned on receipt - no receipt and questions would be asked.

All centralised and recorded on computer now

[Carnage]

Greendubber said:

Which force? You've disclosed quite a serious matter so if they're not dealing with it someone needs to know about it and do something.

Suggests Ipswich in the other thread.

I went there on mutual aid for the prostitute murders and it was a perfectly conventional, secure property store then. Went back in 2013 for another enquiry and to collect some property and was exactly the same.

If kit is getting nicked, the relative in PSD needs to step up. Not hard to stick a covert camera in.

My old force did that and potted a bent property officer following reports of items going missing.

For the OP, I imagine the iPad was sent for download and is probably sitting in the holding area for your areas high tech crime unit to download.

As others have said; get in touch with the OIC and if he doesn’t get it back promptly stick a complaint in.

[Red 4]

Muncher said:

Red 4 said:

Obvious troll is obvious.

Excuse me?

Here's the thread where I discuss it back in 2014! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

My brother in law and sister in law are both officers, one in professional standards. Other brother in law's father is a very recently retired inspector. I'm friends with at least another 5 current officers off the top of my head covering 4 forces. All have said much the same thing.

Edited by Muncher on Saturday 20th February 15:43

Hmm. So 8 officers from 4 different forces have told you that property routinely disappears from stores. I'm still calling BS on that. When you first join the job you are told that there are 2 things beginning with P that may land you in the st, so take care with both of them.

1. Property.
2. Police women.

Most people listen to that advice. I suspect you've been watching too much Line of Duty (or something).

[Muncher]

So how does a full size bike just dissapear from a property store? It's a bit hard to misplace!

[Red 4]

Muncher said:

So how does a full size bike just dissapear from a property store? It's a bit hard to misplace!

I have no idea what happened to the bike but that is very different to saying that 8 officers from 4 different forces have stated that property routinely disappears from police property stores.

[anonymous-user]

Let’s steal and sell the OP’s property which will have been referred to in the investigation and overtly obvious from the original information.

Nothing better than going to prison and throwing away a career for £50 😂

[Hugo Stiglitz]

98elise said:

It seems bizarre that they can lose something that was possibly going to be used as evidence!

Officer clicked dispose of item instead of dispose of/return to owner.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

98elise said:

It seems bizarre that they can lose something that was possibly going to be used as evidence!

Officer clicked dispose of item instead of dispose of/return to owner.

[TVR1]

La Liga said:

Let’s steal and sell the OP’s property which will have been referred to in the investigation and overtly obvious from the original information.

Nothing better than going to prison and throwing away a career for £50 ??

But it does happen.

My earlier post was slightly tongue in cheek but I know, from experience, that stuff just does ‘disappear’

The failure are people and systems.

I’ve still my ‘access all areas’ entry card from a BMW dealership and a VERY large Audi dealership. Both in London.

I’ve not worked for either for 15 and 6 years years respectively.

But they still work. Although, there is an override code if you forget your own, that’s accepted but doesn’t flag up anywhere.

Alarm codes, once inside, haven’t been changed.

People steal things for many reasons: desperation, need money, the thrill.

The value isn’t relevant.

[anonymous-user]

TVR1 said:

La Liga said:

Let’s steal and sell the OP’s property which will have been referred to in the investigation and overtly obvious from the original information.

Nothing better than going to prison and throwing away a career for £50 ??

But it does happen.

My earlier post was slightly tongue in cheek but I know, from experience, that stuff just does ‘disappear’

The failure are people and systems.

I’ve still my ‘access all areas’ entry card from a BMW dealership and a VERY large Audi dealership. Both in London.

I’ve not worked for either for 15 and 6 years years respectively.

But they still work. Although, there is an override code if you forget your own, that’s accepted but doesn’t flag up anywhere.

Alarm codes, once inside, haven’t been changed.

People steal things for many reasons: desperation, need money, the thrill.

The value isn’t relevant.

Of course the value is relevant as it forms part of the risk / reward for most thefts.

I don’t see the relevance of slack automotive industry processes.

[daveinhampshire]

TVR1 said:

But it does happen.

My earlier post was slightly tongue in cheek but I know, from experience, that stuff just does ‘disappear’

The failure are people and systems.

I’ve still my ‘access all areas’ entry card from a BMW dealership and a VERY large Audi dealership. Both in London.

I’ve not worked for either for 15 and 6 years years respectively.

But they still work. Although, there is an override code if you forget your own, that’s accepted but doesn’t flag up anywhere.

Alarm codes, once inside, haven’t been changed.

People steal things for many reasons: desperation, need money, the thrill.

The value isn’t relevant.

Every door access card is recorded against the name of the officer/staff who use it. The information is stored offsite and backed up to multiple locations. In most cases it is linked to CCTV that is also stored away from the stations/offices. It really is quite and operation. Records of property are stored electronically and access to property stores is strictly limited. In this case as it was electronic offences it may have been sent of forensic examination and could still be to return, they're slow at the best of times.

In the case of the OP, I'm surprised he wants either contact with the police of the electronic devices back considering how much trouble they both caused him. I'd cut my loses and move on. The phone IMEI can be disabled if reported stolen.

[Greendubber]

Average turn around for examination of an electronic device here is well over 12 months! Wouldn't be a shock if its off in a bin waiting to be done.

[Red 4]

La Liga said:

Nothing better than going to prison and throwing away a career for £50 ??

You say that but I knew an officer who allegedly set up an eBay account and allegedly flogged stuff seized in searches. Those items never saw the inside of a property store.
I use the term allegedly because I'm not sure exactly what discipline or criminal offences were proved against him. I do know he was sacked. He was a Sergeant with 23 years service. I think he ended up on the taxis. 5 of his colleagues (PCs on the same unit) were also sacked.
That was 8/9 years ago.

Nobody can deny this stuff happens but it is a rarity.
And when it does the force (sorry,service) looks at things properly and comes down hard.
My issue was that Muncher asserts this type of stuff goes on routinely. He is very wrong in that assertion.

[Muncher]

I’m only relaying what I was told.

[Red 4]

Muncher said:

I’m only relaying what I was told.

Yet all the officers/ former officers on here state that property going missing does not happen routinely. Don't you find that odd ?

There may be a delay in returning stuff but that is due to procedure/ process, not dishonesty.