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Evidence
Contact and Hours

Property and Evidence is located at the Reno Police Department Main Station located at 911 Kuenzli Street, Reno, Nevada 89503. (map it)

Phone: (775) 334-2113

Email: property@reno.gov


Release of property is by appointment only, Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (excluding City holidays)


To request the release of your property, please complete the property release request form.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET MY FIREARM RETURNED?

Please visit the Firearms Release Request app and complete the in app forms. Please make an account first if you do not have one.

Once your Firearm Release Request Application is received, the RPD Firearms Review Unit will send you a notification via e-mail that we are in receipt of your request.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY PROPERTY IS LOST OR STOLEN?

If your property has been lost or stolen, you should file an online report as soon as possible. If you have a record of the serial number on the item(s) or if you have applied your own number, include that in the report. Items lost or stolen that are reported with their serial numbers stand a far better chance of being returned to their owners. An owner has 90 days to claim his/her found property. If you have lost some property and would like to see if it has been turned in, you may contact us by phone. As a finder, you may contact the Evidence and Property Section at 90 days to see if the item remains unclaimed; we will advise you of release procedures at that time.

WHEN CAN I CLAIM MY PROPERTY THAT WAS TAKEN FOR SAFEKEEPING?

Owners must pick up any safekeeping and/or personal property items within 90 days of the item coming into our custody (RMC Section 2.06.060). If you need more time, call or write to request an extension. Unclaimed items, including items belonging to incarcerated persons who have not contacted the Evidence and Property Section, will go to auction or be disposed of.

WHEN CAN I CLAIM MY PROPERTY THAT WAS BOOKED AS EVIDENCE?

For all evidence held in which a person has been arrested or cited, we must receive a District Attorney Evidence Release on all defendants, even if the owner of the property was not arrested or his/her part of the case is concluded. In some cases, the District Attorney may not release items immediately, pending further investigation or appeals. Upon closure of the cases and receipt of necessary releases, an owner must pick up his/her property within 90 days (RMC Section 2.06.060).

WHAT SHOULD I BRING WHEN I COME IN TO PICK UP MY PROPERTY?

In order to be helped in the most efficient manner, please bring your government-issued photo ID, along with your case number. If it is a firearm, please refer to the "FIREARM RELEASE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION" page. If there are special circumstances regarding the pickup of your property, please contact our office.

CAN SOMEONE ELSE PICK UP MY PROPERTY?

If you would like someone else to pick up your property, we must receive a NOTARIZED letter of authorization from you. If you are picking up property of a person who is currently incarcerated, that person must write a letter authorizing you to pick up his/her property. For deceased owners, you must have paperwork showing you as the Executor of the Estate, or a will with a copy of the death certificate. Please include the Report Number on all paperwork in order for us to help you more efficiently.

I LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE RENO AREA. CAN I HAVE MY ITEMS MAILED TO ME?

In some circumstances, items can be mailed. The owner/requestor may be required to cover all shipping costs. Please contact the Evidence and Property section for further details.

PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE RETENTION POLICY

Homicide

All evidence or property collected in homicide cases will be stored until the defendants are deceased or until 99 years from the date of the incident. Property/evidence may be released, however, if the following conditions are met:

  • All court action involving any suspects must be final and the District Attorney must have approved the release.
  • All persons convicted must have served both their sentence and completed parole.
  • Signed release by a Robbery Homicide Unit Sergeant.

Felony

  • In felony cases where there are no suspects or leads, evidence will be maintained for a period no longer than the statute of limitations. After expiration of the statute of limitations, if there are no leads or suspects, the evidence will be disposed. Exception: Sexual Assaults need approval by Family Crimes Sergeant.
  • Any felony case whereby the District Attorney sent an Evidence Release to dispose/release evidence prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Misdemeanor

  • In misdemeanor cases evidence will be maintained for two years. After two years the evidence will be disposed.
  • Any misdemeanor case involving property whereby the City Attorney has approved disposal/release of evidence prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Firearms

Found Property

  • The owner will be given 90 days to prove ownership and claim the property per RMC Section 2.06.060
  • All unclaimed property will be auctioned, disposed of, or converted to departmental use. Exception: Found firearms will be destroyed.

Safekeeping

  • Property that is being held for safekeeping shall be returned to the legal owner upon request. Property not claimed within 90 days is to be considered intentionally abandoned by the owner and disposed of per RMC Section 2.06.060