August 2015 - IAPE Monthly Newsletter
Ask Joe...

Each month, IAPE's primary instructor, Joe Latta, answers one of your questions. Consider writing us if you have a question that needs an answer. We would love to hear from you.
 
To submit a question for Joe  Contact Us 


 
QUESTION
 
Hi Joe!

I have a question for Joe. I am having an issue with the Prosecuting Attorney signing off on destruction orders and trade orders to purge my evidence room. Currently I am trying to purge numerous firearms and keep hitting a brick wall when it comes to getting him to get me anything. Any advice?

John 

ANSWER
 
Dear John,
 
Great question that can be trickier to answer. When I say tricky it's based on politics, favors and the importance of the issue with to those that you report to. See how easy that was! First of all, if your prosecutor is like the vast majority of other prosecutors they have their own brush first to deal with daily and generally property and evidence is low on those priorities.

If your department is like most your prosecutor may have never been in the confines of a Property Room and in most cases have never been formally asked to visit to understands the issues of your department, just like we don't appreciate the day to day issues.

Secondly, this problem may be above the pay grade of Property Room personnel and must be addressed by the chief or sheriff with a face to face discussion with the decision makers of the Prosecutors Office. If all of the stakeholder aren't see the problem through the same lenses or the problems will not get address. Let me suggest that the Chief / Sheriff set up a meeting with the department and physically tour your property room to see how theirs actions have hampered managing your Property Room. 
  
Regards,
Joe
Headline of the Month

Former EBR Clerk of Court employee admits to stealing 48 lbs. of cocaine from evidence room 
DATE - August 10, 2015
 
 
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -

A former employee of the 19th Judicial District Court has admitted to stealing 48 pounds of cocaine and five firearms from an evidence locker in 2012, according to District Attorney Hillar Moore.

William Bates Colvin, 33, is the son of former Baton Rouge state District Judge Kay Bates. He pleaded guilty to malfeasance in office, possession of cocaine and obstruction of justice.

Bell. Colvin was working in the criminal records division of the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court's Office when the theft occurred. His former girlfriend, Debra Vicknair Bell, pleaded guilty and was put on probation Monday for seven years after receiving a suspended five year prison term. Bell was also an employee of the Clerk of Courts Office at the time the cocaine went missing.

Documents say Colvin took the cocaine to the home he shared with Bell. 
  
 

Commentary: A recent inquiry into the internet found that the average retail price of cocaine in the United States is approximately 25,000 - $30,000 per pound. The 48 lbs equates to over $600,000. Question - At what point does a large quantify of cocaine become a liability?

48 lbs or 21 kilos
 

Photo of the Month: Envelopes
REALLY BAD
GOOD JOB
 
 




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