Evidence and Property Management

Chatham-Kent Police Service Property Management Unit is responsible for the cataloguing and safe storage of all exhibits seized and found property collected. When making an inquiry with the Property Unit, please have your occurrence number available.

Seized Property

It is the responsibility of the investigating officer to return seized property to the rightful owner(s), unless authorization has been passed on to the property management unit.

No seized property will be released without the authorization of the investigating officer to the Property Management Unit.

Public is encouraged to contact the Property Unit prior to attending the office to determine if their property can be released and or to schedule an appointment.

Found Property

Found property will be retained by the Chatham-Kent Police Service for 90 days.

Bicycles will be retained for 30 days and if not claimed by rightful owner, will be secured in storage and sold at public auction.

Only found money, not claimed by rightful owner within 90 days, will be returned to finder.

If the rightful owner of found property do not claimed their property after the 90 day retention, property will be disposed of in accordance with the Police Services Act.

In the event that found money is not claimed by the rightful owner within 90 days, the finder may apply in writing to the Chief of Police, Chatham-Kent Police Service, requesting the release of said money. Once approved by the Chief of Police, finder will be contacted by the Property Management Unit. If finder does not claim said money within 30 days after approval, the money shall be forfeited.

This department conducts one (1) public auction a year, which will be announced in the local media.

Property Inquiries can be addressed to Liz Baker, at (519) 436 – 6614.

Firearms
Firearms will only be released at a pre-scheduled appointment.

Firearms that are in possession of the Police Service that are subject to release by way of a court order can only be released when the Firearms Unit has received a copy of the court order; has received authorization from the Investigating Officer; and the thirty (30) say appeal period has passed.

When attending to retrieve your firearm at your scheduled appointment, you will be required to produce proof of registration and all valid firearms licenses and registration certificates. If the firearm being retrieved is a restricted weapon, you will be required to produce an Authorization to Transport (ATT) from a Chief Firearms Officer. You can apply for an ATT by calling 1-800-731-4000. To be eligible for an ATT you must have a valid firearms license authorizing you to possess restricted firearms.

You must have a proper trigger lock and lock box in your possession to transport the weapon in order for the weapon to be released to you.

Definition of a Restricted Firearm
According to the Criminal Code, a restricted firearm is:

• A handgun that is not a prohibited firearm
• A semi-automatic, centre-fire firearm with a barrel length less than 470 mm that is not a prohibited firearm
• A firearm that can fire after being reduced, by folding, telescoping or otherwise, to an overall length of less than 660 mm; and
• Any firearm prescribed under the CriminalCode regulations to be restricted (including some long guns).

If you have any questions concerning the licensing or transporting of restricted firearms, inquiries can be made through The Canadian Firearms Centre by calling 1-800-731-4000, via email to view their website canadian.firearms@justice.x400.gc.ca or www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca.