Property Room
Evidence and Property ManagementThe Property Room is the secure facility where evidence and found property are cataloged, stored, audited quarterly and released or disposed of lawfully.
About the Property Room
The Property Room within the Chesterfield Township Police Department is a secure facility in which all evidence and property are held for safekeeping. Every item is cataloged and stored until it is collected by its rightful owner, released under a legal proceeding or properly disposed of in accordance with Michigan law.
The Property Room is audited quarterly and inventoried annually to protect the integrity and chain of custody of everything in the department's care. Chain of custody is what allows a piece of evidence to be presented in court, so every movement of an item in or out of the room is recorded. Those audits are also part of the department's MLEAC accreditation standards.
At the end of 2025 the Property Room held 3,023 items. During the year 426 items were received and 1,184 were removed through release, court order or disposal, a significant purge compared with 340 items removed in 2024. Unclaimed money on hand totaled $20,098.47.
Personal property and non-evidentiary property are released at the property clerk's discretion. Evidence is released only with the approval of the detective assigned to the case, because premature release can compromise a prosecution. When you call about an item, the property clerk will explain what is needed to release it and whether detective approval applies.
Responsibilities
- Receive, catalog and securely store evidence and found property
- Maintain chain of custody records for every item
- Release personal and non-evidentiary property to rightful owners
- Release evidence only with approval of the assigned detective
- Transfer evidence to and from crime laboratories
- Dispose of property in accordance with Michigan law and court orders
- Complete quarterly audits and an annual inventory
Claiming Property
The Property Room is open by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. To ask about property in the department's custody or to schedule a pickup, call the Records Department at (586) 949-2112 during public hours. Bring photo identification and, if you have it, the case number connected to the property.
If the item is evidence in an open case, the property clerk will need the assigned detective's approval before it can be released. Found property that goes unclaimed is disposed of under Michigan law after the required holding period.
Property Room Activity
| Measure | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Items Received | 509 | 426 |
| Items Removed | 340 | 1,184 |
| Total items in storage | 3,500 | 3,023 |
| Unclaimed Money | $0 | $20,098.47 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick up my property?
Call the Records Department at (586) 949-2112 to confirm the item is ready and schedule an appointment. Pickups are by appointment only, Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Why can't my property be released yet?
If the item is evidence in an open case it can only be released with the approval of the detective assigned to that case. Personal property that is not evidence is released at the property clerk's discretion.
I found something. Can I turn it in?
Yes. Bring found property to the station lobby at 46525 Continental Drive, Chesterfield Township, MI 48047 at any hour, or call (586) 949-2322 and an officer will take a report.
How often is the Property Room checked?
The Property Room is audited quarterly and inventoried annually.