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Commission OKs part-time evidence custodian after sheriff cites lost records system and heavy backlog
Summary
The sheriff told commissioners the department lost its records-management system and faces a large backlog of evidence to inventory; the commission approved a part-time evidence custodian position at $18.47 per hour, limited to 1,000 hours per year.
The St. Francois County Commission approved creation of a part-time evidence custodian position for the sheriff—s office after the sheriff described a backlog created when the county—s records-management system was lost.
Sheriff's presentation: The sheriff said Captain Ryan previously served as evidence custodian but has different duties after promotion, and the department lost its records-management system so staff must now inventory evidence manually. The sheriff said the new part-time hire would receive evidence from deputies, ensure items are packaged and labeled, log evidence into the evidence room, transport items to labs and retrieve analyzed items, and process destruction orders already approved by prosecutors and judges. The sheriff said the department will use a temporary holding locker for overnight intakes.
Position details: Commissioners approved the position as part time (no benefits) at $18.47 per hour with a 1,000-hour annual cap. The sheriff said payroll reports will be run every two weeks to ensure the hourly limit is not exceeded and that keys to the evidence room are controlled via the county's key vault system.
Evidence disposition: The sheriff described approved destruction methods: drugs are incinerated and firearms are pulverized by a third-party vendor (identified in remarks as Gunbusters), which the sheriff said operates within ATF/DEA guidelines.
Vote and implementation: The motion to create the position passed by voice vote. The sheriff said the part-time custodian will begin by catching up on existing destruction orders and inventorying decades of stored evidence.
What remains: The sheriff will proceed with posting and hiring the part-time custodian, and will report back on progress inventorying the evidence room and executing destruction orders.
