Q: A cop has my phone from a stop when he search me and took it, it's been two days and is till can not get it back.
I had been stopped about a prior warrant I already served time over, while being stopped and searched the officer took my phone and personal belongings and sat them in his car while waiting on NCIC to come back clean and when it did he left and never returned my property. It's been two days and I still have not got my stuff back, what is the appropriate next step?
A: You can call the LEO and ask for your property back. Or call the chief or sheriff and complain. Ultimately you would have to sue the LEO and the County for conversion, which is not worth it. You might get a phone.
A:
You should start by contacting the police department where the stop occurred. Ask to speak with the officer’s supervisor or the department’s property division to inquire about your missing phone and belongings. Provide them with all relevant details, including the date, time, and location of the incident, as well as any officer names or badge numbers if you have them.
If you don’t receive a satisfactory response, consider filing a formal report or complaint with the department. Document all your communications and keep records of your requests for your property. This documentation can be important if you need to escalate the matter further.
Additionally, you might want to seek legal advice to understand your rights and explore other options for recovering your belongings. An attorney can guide you on the best steps to take and help ensure that your property is returned promptly.
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