(A) A police officer will inventory the personal property in the possession of a person taken into police custody and such inventory will be conducted whenever:
(1) Such person will be either placed in a secure police holding room or transported in the secure portion of a police vehicle; or
(2) Custody of the person will be transferred to another law enforcement agency, correctional facility or treatment facility, as that phrase is used in ORS 430.399, or such other lawfully approved facility for the involuntary confinement of persons pursuant to state statutes.
(B) The purpose of the inventory of a person in police custody will be to:
(1) Promptly identify property to establish accountability and avoid spurious claims to property;
(2) Fulfill the requirements of ORS 133.455 to the extent that such statute may apply to certain property held by the police officer for safekeeping;
(3) Assist in the prevention of theft of property;
(4) Locate toxic, flammable or explosive substances;
(5) Locate weapons and instruments that may facilitate an escape from custody or endanger law enforcement personnel; or
(6) Reduce the danger to persons and property.
(C) Inventories of the personal property in the possession of such persons will be conducted according to the following procedures.
(1) An inventory will occur prior to placing such person into a holding room or a police vehicle, whichever occurs first. However, if reasonable suspicion to believe that the safety of either the police officer(s) or the person in custody or both are at risk, an inventory will be done as soon as safely practical prior to the transfer of custody to another law enforcement agency or facility.
(2) To complete the inventory of the personal property in the possession of such person, the police officer will remove all items of personal property from the clothing worn by such person. In addition, the officer will also remove all items of such personal property from all open containers in the possession of such person.
(3) A closed container in the possession of such person will have its contents inventoried only when:
(a) The closed container is to be placed in the immediate possession of such person at the time that person is placed in the secure portion of a custodial facility, police vehicle or secure police holding room;
(b) Such person requests that the closed container be with them in the secure portion of a police vehicle or a secure police holding room; or
(c) The closed container is designed for carrying money and/or small valuables on or about the person including, but not limited to, closed purses, closed coin purses, closed wallets and closed fanny packs.
(D) Valuables found during the inventory process will be noted by the police officer in a report as directed by the Chief of Police.
(E) All items of personal property either left in the immediate possession of the person in custody or left with the facility or agency accepting custody of the person, will be handled in the following manner.
(1) A property receipt will be prepared listing the property to be retained in the possession of the respective police department and a copy of that receipt will be tendered to the person in custody when such person is released to the facility or agency accepting custody of such person.
(2) The property will be dealt with in such manner as directed by the Chief of Police.
(F) All items of personal property, either left in the immediate possession of the person in custody or dealt with as provided in division (E) above, will be released to the facility or agency accepting custody of the person so that they may:
(1) Hold the property for safekeeping on behalf of the person in custody; and
(2) Prepare and deliver a receipt, as may be required by ORS 133.455, for any valuables held on behalf of the person in custody.
(Prior Code, § 4.30.040) (Ord. 247, passed 4-7-1997)