Interim
For a hardcopy pdf of this document, contact the Office of Compliance (2-8246).
Policy Title: Lost and Found Property
Policy Number: 750-36
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Responsible Officer: |
Chief of Police/Associate Vice Chancellor of Auxiliary Services |
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Responsible Office: |
Police Department/Auxiliary Services |
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Origination Date: |
08/01/2000 |
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Date of Revision: |
04/08/2020 |
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Date of Last Review: |
04/08/2020 |
I. Policy Summary and Scope
This policy outlines the process for turning in, reclaiming, storing, and disposing of lost and found property. The policy covers items found on UCR controlled property and applies to all members of the UCR community, including faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
II. Policy Text
A. Turning in Lost and Found Property
1. Turn in of Lost and Found property: All articles (including cash, but excluding those listed below in Section II.A.2) left in campus classrooms, buildings or on the grounds should be brought to the Police Department in the Administration Annex within 24 hours. The exception Lost and found property may be turned into the Police Department at any time of the day.
2. Due to sanitary, safety and/or biohazard risks that may arise from collection or storage; UCPD cannot accept the following items as lost and found materials. These items include:
a. Any type of clothing, including coats, jackets, hats, uniforms, and shoes, regardless of value
b. Water bottles
c. Any type of bedding, including pillows, sheets, comforters
d. Perishable items/food/food containers
e. Flammable items (lighters, vape pens, etc.)
f. Loose charging cables
g. Personal grooming items (combs, brushes, bows, ribbons, etc.)
h. Umbrellas
i. Any items containing liquids or gel-like substances or items which could leak or melt
j. Any items which present a sanitation risk by being wet or soiled
k. Any broken items
l. Medications
m. Syringes
n. Pepper spray or other similar substances
o. Any items which are sharp and could be hazardous to staff
p. Paperwork (i.e. homework) which does not appear to be an official document
q. Hazardous waste
Any department or individual who brings or delivers any of the above items to UCPD will be advised that they cannot be accepted.
B. Maintaining Lost and Found Property
1. When articles are received, they are logged in by date and assigned a number. The number is affixed to each article.
2. Lost and found property is kept for three months. After three months, the property is turned over to the Equipment Management Office. All articles except glasses and keys unfit for resale are sold.
C. Claiming Lost and Found Property
Claiming Lost and Found property at the Police Department: Property may be claimed 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Phone inquiries may be made at (951) 827-7285. On weekends and after 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, telephone inquiries should be made to (951) 827-5222.
D. Additional Lost and Found Items
1. Unclaimed cash and negotiable property (such as check, gift card, money order) may be returned to the finder after the expiration of the three-month period unless the property has been found by a University employee in the course of his/her employment.
Cash and/or negotiable property that has been found on University premises during the course of one's employment must be turned in to the Police Department as outlined above. If the cash and/or negotiable property is not claimed within the three-month period, it becomes the property of The Regents. This applies to faculty, staff and student employees with the following exceptions:
a. Unclaimed cash/or negotiable property found on University premises by a University employee outside the individual's normal working hours may, upon demand, be returned to the finder after the three-month waiting period. Any unusual or extenuating circumstances regarding the disposition of cash and/or negotiable property will be resolved by the Chief of Police.
b. Unclaimed cash and/or negotiable property found by persons who are not University employees (e.g., students, visitors, etc.) will upon demand, be returned to the finder after the three-month waiting period.
2. Student ID Cards. Lost student I.D. cards should be sent directly to the Cashier's Office. If the I.D. card is in a wallet, purse, etc., it should be left with the other articles and sent to the Police Department.
III. Roles and Responsibilities
A. Police Department
The Police Department maintains a Lost Property file. When an article is reported lost, information about the article is recorded on a card for filing. If the article is later turned in, Police Department personnel will notify the owner.
B. Equipment Management Roles – Lost and Found Property
The Equipment Management Office is charged with the responsibility of disposing of all unclaimed lost and found articles received from the Campus Police.
IV. Procedures
All lost and found articles are turned in to the Campus Police, assigned a control number and recorded on the Lost and Found Register. The articles are retained by the Campus Police for three (3) months for possible return to the original owner, upon proof of ownership. After three months, the Campus Police will advise Equipment Management that the unclaimed articles are ready for pickup.
After pickup, Equipment Management will review the Police Control Register and ensure each item is properly identified and that control numbers are properly affixed to each item prior to acknowledging receipt of the same. The Police Department will provide a copy of the Police Control Register to the Equipment Manager for continued control using the original control number assigned, until items are sold or disposal action is completed.
Lost and found articles will be stored in a secure area within the Equipment Management warehouse until sold or claimed by the original owner. The Control Register will be utilized to answer inquiries from individuals; individuals claiming items must provide positive identification and proof of ownership before items are released.
A copy of the Control Register will be retained in the file for future reference as to final disposition of lost and found items.
V. References
A. Delegation of Authority 0415 - UC Policy on Found and Unclaimed Property (July 2, 1973).
VI. Approval and Revision History
This policy originated in 2000. It was previously revised in November 3, 2017. It was most recently revised on an interim basis effective April 8, 2020, to (i) include a policy summary and scope (ii) include items that cannot be accepted by UCPD (iii) fix broken reference links, and (iv) reformat policy.