Found iPhone

[44267547]

Generally if a serial number or imei number is retrievable we will post it on GCIC as lost/recovered. We may also post on social media items found if we think that could help where an owner may be identified. Sometimes the phone will have a message on it for times when the phone is lost etc. Also we may call a carrier if we can determine which one it is and let them know we have the phone and provide the imei number to them. Many times they can call the owner and let them know. As far as search warrants, on lost and or abandoned property there are exceptions to that rule as we are acting in a community caretaker role.

You make a good point about social media, which is a great way to reach out to the Community for a lost item and ultimately is a huge resource for staying up-to-date on current events.

But being The amount of private and confidential information on ones cellular device in today's world, it's nothing more than opening a portal for someone trying to burn an Officer/Department for trying to do a good service If the Phone is tampered in any fashion. I think it's necessary for a Department having restrictions on logging the phone into evidence and leaving it there, with no further action taken past that, mainly being the unknown ramifications that binds Officers to unnecessary issues or investigations for what someone might "Claim", which now causes a rift over something so minor.

The Only time I would tamper with somebody's cell phone without a warrant, would be for exigent circumstances and nothing more. (Of course, All agencies will vary pending P&P.)

On a side note, I would say the times I have had phones turned in, have all been claimed without reaching out to the owner within hours.

 

[Reno Raines]

We don't tamper with it. If the imei number is visible we can use it. As far as search warrants since it is not the target of a criminal investigation and it is found property there are warrant exceptions. Kinda like an abandoned vehicle. An administrative search can be made of it without a warrant to impound it and determine ownership if no tag or VIN is available. We don't dig around in phones. Just if we can determine a phone number or imei we will try and put the phone back with the owner. In my state it is a pain to get rid of abandoned or lost property if not claimed and the evidence room starts to get full. Our courts look at what the intent is when the officer does what they do. We have a community caretaker exception here. I know not all states do. The joys of paperwork.

 

[44267547]

We don't tamper with it. If the imei number is visible we can use it. As far as search warrants since it is not the target of a criminal investigation and it is found property there are warrant exceptions. Kinda like an abandoned vehicle. An administrative search can be made of it without a warrant to impound it and determine ownership if no tag or VIN is available. We don't dig around in phones. Just if we can determine a phone number or imei we will try and put the phone back with the owner. In my state it is a pain to get rid of abandoned or lost property if not claimed and the evidence room starts to get full. Our courts look at what the intent is when the officer does what they do. We have a community caretaker exception here. I know not all states do. The joys of paperwork.

Again, policies differ. I get that. And I didn't mean tamper as in literally manipulate the Cell Phone, I meant more as searching through the Phone for various pieces of identifying information, which is prohibited in our Department. Bottom line is, we don't have the time/resources for unnecessary issues that could arise doing for good service. Our job is to log the phone in to evidence for sake keeping until claimed.

Also, an abandoned vehicle and found property would be completely two different things for a search. If A vehicle is abandoned with no VIN/Plate, someone is relinquishing ownership, warrants don't apply. A found cell phone, is owned property and confidentiality tethered to someone, where I would safeguard myself. And if an Officer is unsure, consult with a supervisor or your P/P manual.

As far as warrants to an exception, I don't see it being worth going through the phone to locate the IMEI/number with Sensitive information. In my opinion, I think you are just asking for unwarranted issues to arise. We don't go through someone's phone, unless through an obtained warrant or exigent circumstances.

We do have a community care taker doctrine in our state, our Department P/P overrides that.

OP: Apologies for derailing your thread. Just an interesting topic to discuss.

 

[Reno Raines]

Again, policies differ. I get that. And I didn't mean tamper as in literally manipulate the Cell Phone, I meant more as searching through the Phone for various pieces of identifying information, which is prohibited in our Department. Bottom line is, we don't have the time and the resources for unnecessary issues that could arise doing a good service. Our job is to take in the phone property, log it in to evidence for sake keeping.

Also, an abandoned vehicle and found property would be completely two different things for a search. If something is abandoned, someone is relinquishing ownership. A found cell phone, is owned property and confidentiality tethered to someone.

As far as warrants to an exception, I just don't see it being worth going through the phone to locate the IMEI/number through Settings or any other information you might come across. as one's phone has a plethora of confidentiality. Bottom line is, don't go through someone's phone settings. If you are allowed to do so, then so be it. But perhaps maybe I've seen ramifications of what can happen over something so minor.

We do have a community care taker doctrine in our state, our Department P/P overrides that.

Again, the only time I would ever go through somebody's phone is through an obtained warrant or exigent circumstances.

We don't go beyond the lock screen so maybe I should have clarified that. Like with find your iPhone or its android equivalent when you just hit the home button you will sometimes get a message with a phone number, etc giving owner info. Also sometimes on the back you can find the imei or a serial number if it has removable battery space. We might want to check that to make sure it was not reported stolen. The SIM card can also tell you the carrier and has a unique identifier. One can call the carrier, tell them you have the phone, they call the customer acting as an intermediary and tell them where to find your phone, and privacy rights are still respected. Depending on the carrier you will find varying degrees of success. I agree it depends on manpower. I know NYPD does this to a certain extent as my brother in law parted ways in NYC with his iPhone. It was recovered and NYPD called him in another state and said they had it and how to get it back.

 

[flyinmac]

The one point I'm curious about is if T-Mobile left their voice message on the phone number assigned to the lost phone. If so, the person may never hear the message.

Hopefully they had an alternate number to call.

 

[jhearty99]

The one point I'm curious about is if T-Mobile left their voice message on the phone number assigned to the lost phone. If so, the person may never hear the message.

Hopefully they had an alternate number to call.

I believe the first customer service rep I spoke with over the phone called the number assigned to the phone I found but when I actually went into the store, the rep called the primary account holder for the plan as there were multiple lines.

Also note, when the phone was found, the SIM had already been deactivated so that may mean they had a replacement phone already. Either way, no one has contacted so when I get some time this weekend I will just drop it off at the police station near me.

 

[flyinmac]

I believe the first customer service rep I spoke with over the phone called the number assigned to the phone I found but when I actually went into the store, the rep called the primary account holder for the plan as there were multiple lines.

Also note, when the phone was found, the SIM had already been deactivated so that may mean they had a replacement phone already. Either way, no one has contacted so when I get some time this weekend I will just drop it off at the police station near me.

I'd ask the police for some sort of documentation that you turned in the phone. Since your name is now tied to finding it. That way if anyone does contact you, you'll be able to prove you gave it to the police.