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Hours Of Operation

• Hours of Operation: MONDAY – FRIDAY; 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Excluding legal holidays)

• Property Release Hours: MONDAY-FRIDAY; 8:30 AM-3:30 PM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

DIGITAL EVIDENCE REQUESTS

• Requests for digital evidence, including body-worn camera footage, photos, or other electronic records, should be submitted directly through our Records Department. To streamline the process and ensure timely processing of your request, please use the secure online submission link provided below. This will allow you to provide all necessary details and facilitate a smooth and efficient handling of your request.

  Our Records Department is dedicated to maintaining transparency and providing access to digital evidence in accordance with legal and departmental guidelines. Please be sure to include as much relevant information as possible (e.g., case numbers, date, or date ranges, or specific officers involved) to help expedite the retrieval process.

  For any additional questions or assistance, feel free to contact the Records Department directly at (561) 845-4133. Thank you for your cooperation.

  How to use the Records request link:

  Click the Request for Service link below, enter your street address or use the Use My Current Location button. After your address has been entered, click Next. In the Type of Issue, choose City Clerk. Under City Clerk you will find Public Records Request. Choose your type of public records request to submit your request to the Police Records Department.

  Records Request Link: https://www.rivierabch.com/311/request/add

  
  

Found Property

• Found property for which ownership cannot be established may be released to the finder after all required documentation has been completed. Claims for found property will not be processed until 90 days after the date of confiscation, to allow time for the rightful owner to be located per Florida Statutes. If the owner is found and comes forth, the found property will be returned to its lawful owner as soon as possible. If the owner has not been identified within this period, the property may be claimed by the finder.

  Residents wishing to turn in found property can contact the Riviera Beach Police Department for directions. Property of value will be retained for a period of 90 days, while bicycles will be retained for 30 days. After this retention period, if no lawful owner is found, the property may be released to the finder.

Safekeeping Property (Excluding Firearms)

• Safekeeping property requires prior authorization from the arresting officer, case detective, or a court order for release. Before attempting to retrieve property, please contact this Unit to confirm that authorization has been received. A valid photo ID will be required at the time of pickup. 

  In accordance with the Riviera Beach Police Department’s policy and Florida Statutes, safekeeping property will be held for a period of 60 days. Property must be claimed within this timeframe; otherwise, it will be eligible for disposal in accordance with Florida State Statutes.

Property Considered As Evidence

• Under Florida State Statutes 925.11 and 925.12, if the suspect in a felony case is found guilty by jury or pleads guilty in court, the evidence must be retained until the sentence has been fully served, plus 60 days regardless of ownership. 

  If the case is dismissed or the suspect is acquitted, property may be released with written authorization from the detective or officer responsible for the case or via a court order. Final court disposition documents are not acceptable in lieu of a release order.

  All property will be disposed of in accordance with Chapter 705 of the Florida State Statutes. Unclaimed, or seized evidence will permanently vest in this Unit 60 days after the conclusion of any legal proceedings. 

  
  

Unclaimed Property Notice

• The Property & Evidence Unit of the Riviera Beach Police Department, located at 2051 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 100, Riviera Beach, FL 33404, hereby notifies the rightful owners of unclaimed and abandoned property, as listed in the lobby of the Police Department or via published classified ad in the local newspaper. Pursuant to sections 705.103 and 705.105, Florida statutes, Unit shall dispose of found and unclaimed property or evidence which does not have an identifiable owner and has been retained in excess of ninety (90) days.

Evidence Or Property Requiring Special Handling - Currency & Bicycles

• Any found property in the form of currency (money) will be deposited into the City Finance Department's bank account. The rightful owner has 90 days from the time the currency is turned in or submitted to this Unit, to come forward and claim it. If the currency remains unclaimed after 90 days, the finder is responsible for contacting the Property & Evidence Unit to schedule an appointment to claim the unclaimed funds.

  Please note that department employees, when acting on behalf of the City, are not considered "finders" and are not eligible to claim any found property.

  Currency (Money)

  Currency that has been seized or collected by an officer will be deposited into the City of Riviera Beach Finance Department’s bank account. Any funds that have been cleared to be returned to a rightful owner will be returned in the form of a check written from the City of Riviera Beach Finance Department bank account.  Note that checks are printed only twice a month. In some instances, cash can be returned if the funds have not been deposited when a claim has been received which cannot be in excess of $3,000.00. For funds that have not been deposited in excess of $3,000.00; claimants will need to wait until these funds are deposited before a check can be written. Those seeking funds to be returned via check must complete a Check Request Claim Form.

  Check Request Claim Form

  Bicycles

  Bicycles received by the Property & Evidence Unit (unless marked as evidence) are held for ninety (90) days. After this period, unclaimed bicycles become the property of the City at which time any unclaimed bikes ( pedal or electric ), scooters, skateboards or property with bi, tri or quad wheels, may be sold at public auction to the highest bidder, retained for City use, or donated to charity.

  
  

How To Claim Your Property (Excluding Firearms)

• Complete a Property & Evidence Claim Form

  To claim non-firearm related property that you believe has been listed, advertised, turned over to, seized, or collected or that may possibly exist that is being retained by this Unit via other means, which you believe may rightfully belong to you - you must file a claim for it. File a claim by completing a Property & Evidence Claim Form. Proof of ownership may be required for the return of some items. All claimants must present valid photo identification issued by the state or governmental agency before release.

  Property may be claimed Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM via appointment only. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment. 

  Once this Unit has informed you that your property can be returned to you, it must be picked up within 30 days from the date of the notice to or communication thereof. Any unclaimed property remaining after the 30 days will be considered abandoned and could be sold at public auction, disposed of, retained for City use, or donated to charity, as applicable.

  If you wish to retrieve property from the Riviera Beach Police Department Property & Evidence Unit, please review the following guidelines: 

  1. Case Conclusion Requirement: In some cases, property cannot be released until the investigation or case has concluded. The Property & Evidence Unit cannot release property without the consent of the investigating officer, detective, State Attorney, or a court order.

  2. Identification Requirements: To retrieve property, you must present a valid, non-expired photo identification. Accepted forms include State issued driver's license, state issued identification card, valid passport or military ID.

  A concealed weapons permit/card is not a valid form of identification.

  3. Property Availability: To ensure the property is available and can be released to you, we strongly recommend calling in advance to schedule your appointment. Some property may require additional processing time.

  4. Case Number: When requesting an appointment or checking the status of your property return, please provide your Riviera Beach Police case number. If you do not know your case number, contact the Records Department for assistance.

  5. Property Identification: You will need to clearly identify the property you are claiming with photos, serial number, receipt or other identifiable means and along with a valid state-issued identification. In some cases, additional documentation may be required.

  6. Appointment for Release: Items classified as "Found" or "Safekeeping" may be claimed by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please contact this Unit. Items classified as "Evidence" are subject to special conditions and may have additional release requirements before being released; see How To Claim Evidence or Firearm.

  7. Property Retrieval by Authorized Person: If you are unable to retrieve the property (excluding firearms) in person, you may authorize someone to pick up on your behalf. The following is required for someone to act as your representative:

  A notarized letter of authorization addressed to the Riviera Beach Police Department Property & Evidence Unit, including:

  Date, time, case number, your legal name, address, phone number, license or ID number and signature. Include this same information for the person being sent as your representative. In detail, include a description of each item that is to be picked up by your representative. In conclusion, the letter should include the name of the notary, date, time signed by notary, signature, followed by an original notary stamp.

  An authorized representative is an acceptable means for some items to have property picked up on your behalf, but at the discretion of the Property & Evidence Unit, which could reject this means based on the notarized letter content or for the item being released. 

  8. Retention of Found Property: All found or abandoned property held by the Riviera Beach Police Department will be retained for 90 days from the date it was submitted. After 90 days, unclaimed property may be: donated to a charitable organization, transferred to another local or state agency, sold at auction or retained for departments own use.

  If you wish to claim found or lost property that belongs to you, please contact the Property & Evidence Unit.

How To Claim Firearms

• Complete a Property & Evidence Claim Form

  All claimants seeking the return of firearms must provide proof of ownership along with a valid photo ID issued by the state or governmental authority. The claimant identification must be presented for copying along with the completed Property Claim Form and proof of ownership before the return process can begin. Please ensure that all necessary documentation is provided to avoid delays in the return process. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Property & Evidence Unit.

  Firearm Returns: The return of firearms involves additional steps and specific documentation as outlined below. In certain cases, a court order may be required for the release of the firearm. If a court order is necessary, it must be the original or a certified copy, signed by a judge. 

  The classification of the firearm—whether as evidence, found property, safekeeping, or under a court-ordered domestic injunction; determines the conditions and procedure for its release. If you are unsure of the classification of your firearm, please consult with the officer or detective assigned to your case for guidance.

  ALL FIREARM RELEASES REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING

  1. 1)Property & Evidence Claim Form

  All individuals claiming a firearm from the Property & Evidence Unit are required to complete a Property Claim Form in its entirety. This form is essential for initiating the return process and must be submitted to the Property & Evidence Unit for processing.

  You may submit the completed claim form through one of the following methods:

  Electronically - via email address to the designated Property & Evidence Unit or via the form link above.

  In person - at the Police Department - Records Department.

   

  Once your completed claim form with any additional documentation has been received, the Property & Evidence Unit will begin processing your request for the return of the firearm. Please note that the return process will only begin once the completed form has been submitted, along with any other required documentation.
  
  Ammunition is returned under certain conditions, and under other conditions ammunition may not be returned.  

   

  For questions or assistance with the claim form, please contact the Property & Evidence Unit.

   

  2. 2)Background Check

  All individuals claiming a firearm from the Property & Evidence Unit must pass a background check for prior felony convictions. Firearms will not be returned to a convicted felon. If there are unresolved legal issues related to the firearm, it will not be released until those matters are cleared. Please note that background checks typically take 1-2 business days to process.

  3. 3)Eligibility Check

  The Property & Evidence Unit utilizes the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Firearms Eligibility System to verify that firearms are returned only to lawful owners who are eligible to possess them under Florida law. Persons who have been involuntarily committed for psychiatric treatment, convicted of a felony or domestic violence offense, or are under a protective order are not eligible to possess a firearm. Please note that FDLE background checks typically take 1-2 business days to process but in some cases it could take longer.

  4. 4)Proof of Ownership

  Claiming a firearm also requires you to provide proof of ownership, such as an original purchase receipt containing the matching firearm serial number you are claiming or other supporting documentation matching the firearm serial you are claiming. A firearm original case or box showing the original legible matching serial number could be an eligible means of acceptable form for establishing ownership but at the Unit discretion. If claiming more than one firearm, the ownership proof applies to each firearm you are claiming.

  Release of Firearms Classified as Evidence - If the firearm is classified as evidence, it will not be released unless authorized by the State Attorney's Office (if charges have been filed or are pending) or by the officer or detective assigned to the case (if no charges have been filed and none are pending). Authorization must be provided directly from the State Attorney’s Office, the officer, or the detective to the Property & Evidence Unit. If applicable, final court disposition documents will not be accepted as a substitute for the required release order.

  Release of Firearms Classified as Found Property, Recovered Stolen or Safe Keeping - If a firearm is classified as Found Property or Safekeeping, it will be eligible for release once the Property & Evidence Unit receives authorization from the officer or detective assigned to the case. This approval is necessary to ensure all appropriate procedures are followed before the firearm can be returned. After approval this Unit can begin the release process as stated above.

  In cases where a firearm is classified as recovered stolen from the City of Riviera Beach by another law enforcement agency, it will be returned to the Riviera Beach Police Department after all relevant investigations, charges, court proceedings, or the policies of the other agency have been completed or resolved. Once the firearm is in the custody of the Riviera Beach Police Department, it will be eligible to be returned to its rightful owner, provided all necessary procedures, documentation, background checks and any further requirements for its return have been fulfilled.

  Release of Firearms Classified as Court-Ordered Domestic Injunction - If the firearm is classified under a Court-Ordered Domestic Injunction, it will not be released without explicit authorization from the State Attorney's Office and the officer or detective assigned to the case. This authorization must be received directly by the Property & Evidence Unit and must be accompanied by an order from the judge dismissing the injunction or authorizing the return of the firearm.

  Please note that final court disposition documents will not be accepted as a substitute for a release order. The proper legal procedures must be followed, including obtaining a court-issued order for the firearm's release.

  For additional information regarding the release of your firearm, contact the Property & Evidence Unit.

  
  

Pick Up And Release Of Property To Owner (Excluding Firearms)

• After all previous steps mentioned above for How To Claim Your Property have been completed and the Property & Evidence Unit has received all clearance authorizations relating to the property return; you will be contacted to schedule a time to pick up your property.

  Scheduled pick up appointment times are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 3:30PM. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment if this Unit has not provided one already. Showing up without an appointment does not guarantee that you will receive your property; an appointment will.

  All claimants must present a valid photo identification issued from a state or government agency. Store cards, other photo ID cards not issued by a state or governmental agency, expired identification or a concealed weapon permit card are not valid forms of identification.

  With your valid identification, please visit the Riviera Beach Police Department to pick up your property at your provided appointment time. If you are collecting large or a large quantity of items, please ensure you have proper means of collecting and receiving these items.

Pick Up And Release Of Firearms To Owners

• If you have been convicted of a felony, a domestic violence crime, or are under a court order prohibiting firearm possession, a firearm will not be returned to you under any circumstances. If necessary, a court order may be required for the return.

  After all steps outlined above have been completed for How To Claim Firearms, you’ve successfully passed the FDLE and criminal background checks, there are no pending court proceedings or claims from other individuals regarding the firearm(s), and the Property & Evidence Unit has received all necessary clearance authorizations for the return, you will then be eligible to pick up your firearm. This Unit will call, text or email you that you may schedule a time that is agreeable between yourself and this Unit for the return.

  If you receive a FDLE denial; you can appeal your denial through the FDLE website. This Unit will provide you with the FDLE appeal form and appeal number for use with your appeal.

  In the event of an unsuccessful (non-passing) criminal background check, the firearm cannot be returned to you based on this unfavorable criminal history check.

  Firearms Subject to Court Ordered Domestic Injunctions

  Release requires a certified copy of the court order lifting the injunction prepared by the judge who issued the injunction. There are no exceptions

  
  

Safe Destruction Of Firearms & Ammunitions

• Firearms and ammunition may be submitted to the Property & Evidence Unit for proper and safe destruction. When relinquishing firearms, please ensure that the weapon is unloaded, and all ammunition is separated from the firearm. 

  For safety reasons, do not bring loaded weapons to the police department. If you wish to dispose of handguns, rifles, shotguns, or any other type of weapon, you can either bring it directly to the police department to be turned over to an officer or contact the Communication Department to arrange for an officer to collect the firearm from your home, if at all possible. If you are unsure how to handle or operate the weapon, an officer will assist you.

    Please note that weapons turned in for destruction will not be returned.