One Property/Evidence Specialist staffs the Property and Evidence Unit of the Campbell Police Department, Monday through Thursday, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Property/Evidence Specialist is responsible for booking all found, safekeeping, and evidence items brought into the police department. The property is stored until it can be returned to the legal owner, until the case has been adjudicated in court, or until the statute of limitations has expired. Items stored include bicycles, firearms, money, drugs, backpacks, checks, credit cards, audio and video equipment, furniture, computers, biological material, hazardous materials, and a variety of other items.
	Property is released to the rightful owner or their designee with photo identification (such as a driver's license, ID card or passport), by appointment only from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Property is released by appointment only. The Evidence Specialist is not always in the office as time is spent at the crime lab and researching cases to determine if property may be returned. We try to respond to all phone messages by the end of the next business day. Appointments may be scheduled by phoning 408-866-2183   If I find a bicycle and turn it in can I later claim it? Yes. By law, if the owner does not claim it or we are not able to locate the owner after 90 days, the finder may claim the bicycle.

If I find and turn in any other property (i.e. money, jewelry, etc) may I later claim it? Yes. Except for firearms and illegal items any other property turned in as found property may be returned to the finder. There is a 90 day waiting period during which the owner may claim lost property. After 90 days has passed the reporting party (finder) may claim the property.

Why must I make an appointment to claim my property? Appointments are scheduled so that the Property Specialist can be made available to handle your case on a one on one basis without interruption. The Property Specialist may be in court, transporting evidence to the Crime Lab or may be viewing evidence with an attorney.

I have a court order that requires the Campbell Police Department to return my property, why do I still need an appointment?

By law, the Campbell Police Department is allowed 10 days to return property upon receipt of a court order. This allows the investigating Officer to be notified of the order and to determine if the property is still needed for the investigation. If so, the Investigator may contact the court and notify a judge why the property should remain in the custody of the Campbell Police Department. The judge then makes a determination whether the property should be returned or remain in police custody.

Why does it take so long for me to get my property back? Property booked in as evidence of a crime is held for 60 days past the date of sentencing for felony cases and 30 days for misdemeanors (if an arrest has been made). The Investigator or District Attorneys office may authorize the release of property earlier. However, this is on a case by case basis and the final decision must be approved by the DA and/or Investigations supervisor. If no arrest is made, evidence may be held for the statute of limitations or upon approval of the Officer and Investigations Sergeant. The Property/Evidence Specialist does not have the authority to release evidence on any open case.

If a firearm is among the items requested, the person seeking the return of the firearms must apply to the California Department of Justice for a gun release eligibility request form. You may contact 916-263-4887 or go to www.ag.ca.gov/firearms for the forms and information. It is solely the person’s responsibility for filling out the proper paperwork to retrieve their firearm(s). This process may take 1-2 months depending on DOJ’s back log. If approval is granted by DOJ for the return of your firearm(s), a letter will be mailed to you and this letter will be valid for 30 days. You will be required to bring this letter to the Campbell Police Department at the time of pick up. You will also need proof of ownership and photo identification.

If the property was taken under a search warrant, a court order is required to release the property.