About the Property & Evidence Unit
The Property and Evidence Unit is part of the Administrative Services Section of the FIU Police Department. This unit is responsible for the impounding, safekeeping, and disposal of property and evidence turned into FIUPD, and for returning property to its rightful owners.
Looking for a Lost Item?
If you have lost an item on campus, use the form in the next section to submit a request to FIUPD. You may also check with the following Lost & Found locations across campus, as items are sometimes turned in directly to these locations:
Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC)
- Graham Center — Lost & Found Desk 181 | Phone: 305-348-1735
- Green Library — Check Out Desk (Circulation)
- College of Engineering & Computing — Email: gimenezl@fiu.edu
Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC)
- Wolfe University Center — Welcome Desk, WUC 110A | Phone: 305-919-5224
Contact & Location
Florida International University Police Department
885 SW 109th Ave, Parking Garage 5 (PG5), First Floor, Southwest Corner
Miami, Florida 33199, Modesto A. Maidique Campus
All property and evidence turned into FIUPD, including items collected from the Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami and the Engineering Center in Sweetwater, is stored at the main police station at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus.
Phone: 305-348-7899
Email: Fiupdproperty@fiu.edu
Submit a Request
Submitting the online Property & Evidence Request Form is the only way to initiate a property pickup or lost item inquiry with FIUPD. This allows our staff to locate and verify your property prior to your appointment, ensuring a smooth and efficient release process.
Use the form to:
- Request to pick up property held by FIUPD
- Check if a lost or found item has been turned in
- Inquire about any other property-related matter
After submitting the form, a member of the Property & Evidence Unit will review your request and follow up with you using the contact information you provided.
Unable to complete the form? If you are unable to access or complete the online form, please contact the Property & Evidence Unit by phone at 305-348-7899 or by email at Fiupdproperty@fiu.edu for assistance. Staff are available Monday through Friday during business hours.
Appointments
An appointment is required to pick up any property held by FIUPD. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, with available times set through our online scheduling system.
How the appointment process works:
- Submit the online request form above
- A member of the Property & Evidence Unit will review your submission and verify your property
- Once your request is approved, you will be contacted directly with a link to schedule your appointment
Note: Appointment scheduling links are provided by the Property & Evidence Unit after your request has been reviewed and approved. Appointments cannot be scheduled without first submitting the request form.
Claiming Your Property
To claim property that belongs to you, please bring the following to your appointment:
- Valid photo identification
- Proof of ownership or proof of purchase, if required
- Original court order for property return, if applicable
Typical property release appointments take 10 to 15 minutes. Release times may vary depending on the number or size of items, or if a firearm is involved.
Firearm Returns
If your inquiry involves a firearm that was impounded for safekeeping, you must bring the following to your appointment:
- Valid photo identification
- Proof of ownership for the firearm
- An original court order for property release, only if the firearm was impounded as evidence
Court orders will be collected by the Property Unit and reviewed with the FIU Legal Department. Once authorization is granted, a Property Unit representative will contact you to schedule your pickup appointment.
Ammunition is not returned due to safety concerns, unless specifically ordered by a court.
Designating a Representative to Receive Your Property
In certain circumstances, an authorized representative may pick up property on your behalf. To designate a representative:
- Contact the Property & Evidence Unit and email a notarized letter designating your representative and authorizing the Property Unit to release your property to them.
- Your designated representative must schedule an appointment and bring both the notarized letter and valid photo identification to the appointment.
Property Disposal Procedures
Property with a Known Owner
Property is held for 90 days. If no contact is made, a certified letter is sent to the owner providing 10 days to retrieve the property. If no attempt is made within that 10-day period, the property is purged pursuant to Florida Statute 705.18.
Lost and Abandoned Property
Lost and abandoned property is held for 90 days, after which it is purged pursuant to Florida Statute 705.18.
Property of Arrested Individuals
Property collected from individuals who were arrested is held for six months. After the six-month period, a certified letter is sent providing 10 days to retrieve the property. If no attempt is made within that period, the property is purged pursuant to Florida Statute 705.18.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Where do I pick up my property? Do I need an appointment? What do I need to bring? Can someone else pick up my property? |
Can my property be mailed to me? How long does a pickup appointment take? How do I obtain a court order for my property? What if I cannot complete the online form? |
For general inquiries, please use the online form or contact the Property & Evidence Unit directly. We are committed to returning your property as efficiently as possible.