FAQs • El Monte, CA • CivicEngage

Items were taken from me as evidence, how do I retrieve them?: The property technician can only release items taken as evidence with the investigating detective’s approval.

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Property Bureau

1. I was arrested, when and how can I retrieve my property?: If property was booked as safekeeping, you have 60 days to make an appointment to pick up your property with the property technician by calling 626-580-2129, send a written request to hold your property for additional 10 months or give written authorization for someone else to pick up your property.

2. My friend was arrested, can I pick up their property?: If your friend gives you written authorization to pick up their safekeeping property you can make an appointment with the property technician.

3. I have my Department of Justice clearance for my firearm what do I do now to get my gun(s) back?: Call 626-580-2129 to make an appointment with the property technician to put up your firearm within thirty days from the date of your Department of Justice (DOJ) clearance letter. You will need to present a locking case, valid identification and the DOJ clearance letter in order to receive your firearm(s) back. Department policy dictates you will have to return another day to pick up ammunition.

4. Items were taken from me as evidence, how do I retrieve them?: The property technician can only release items taken as evidence with the investigating detective’s approval.

5. When and how can I retrieve my property?: If your belongings were taken for
temporary safekeeping, you MUST claim them within 60 days or they will be
disposed of as specified in CA Civil Code Section 2080.10. If you cannot pick up your belongings within 60 days, you can:
·
Submit a letter naming another
person that you have authorized to pick up your property, or
·
Submit a letter requesting that EMPD hold your property for up to 10 additional months.
To pick up your property, please contact the
Property Bureau at (626) 580-2129 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. A valid I.D. is required.

6. What information do you need from me to find my property?: The fastest way to locate your property is provide the property technician with the El Monte Police Department’s case number, for example 07CR99999. If you don’t have your case number the property technician can locate the case number with your booking number, your arrest number or your first and last name and date of birth.

If any weapons were seized from you,
either for evidence or safekeeping, the following MUST occur if you are to
retrieve them:

The release must be authorized by a
detective and/or a court order, AND

You must complete a CA DOJ Law Enforcement Gun
Release application and submit it to DOJ.
The application is available at EMPD or online at

9. I received my Department of Justice clearance letter. Who do I contact to retrieve my firearms?: Call
(626) 580-2129 to make an appointment with the property technician. You MUST pick up your firearm within thirty
days from the date of your DOJ clearance letter. You will need to present
a locking case, valid identification and the DOJ clearance letter. Per department policy, you will have to
return another day to pick up any ammunition.

If
your property was taken as evidence, it will be released ONLY if: