If you find an item, you should

If you find an item, you should

• A. Turn in to supervisor
• B. Take control/custody of it
• C. Dispose of it
• D. Hide it

Answer: (B)

When you find an item, your first step is to secure it and take custody of it. Acting quickly to hold onto the item prevents loss, theft, or tampering and helps preserve any potential evidence. While you’re securing it, note where and when you found it and describe the item, so you can later document the details and ensure the chain of custody is maintained. Then report to your supervisor and follow agency procedures to transfer the item into proper custody or the property/evidence system. Disposing of or hiding the item would undermine trust and could compromise investigations, and simply handing it over without securing it first risks it being lost or damaged.

When you find an item, your first step is to secure it and take custody of it. Acting quickly to hold onto the item prevents loss, theft, or tampering and helps preserve any potential evidence. While you’re securing it, note where and when you found it and describe the item, so you can later document the details and ensure the chain of custody is maintained. Then report to your supervisor and follow agency procedures to transfer the item into proper custody or the property/evidence system. Disposing of or hiding the item would undermine trust and could compromise investigations, and simply handing it over without securing it first risks it being lost or damaged.