County administrator seeks independent audit of evidence room; sheriff asks for safeguards

Ogemaw County’s administrator told the board that the county’s insurance provider recommended an independent audit of the police evidence room, and that Police Evidence Audit LLC offered a free consultation to assess security, chain of custody and storage practices. The administrator said the outside review would help limit liability exposure and document concerns.

The sheriff said he had been invited to participate but was pausing while he consulted legal counsel; he told the board he has no problem with an audit but recommended the county include a sheriff’s lieutenant and an outside agency representative to witness the work because opening the evidence room to outside civilians could trigger subpoenas in ongoing cases. "When you crack that door open...you may possibly get subpoenaed into any one of those cases that's involved," the sheriff said, urging careful safeguards.

Commissioners and the administrator encouraged communication and offered to coordinate a conversation between the sheriff’s office and the audit consultant. Several commissioners said the insurance‑recommended independent audit is prudent to reduce future liability, while others expressed concern about potential cost if the consultation leads to a costly audit. The board asked the sheriff to meet with the consultant and to allow a conversation about scope and safeguards before any external audit proceeded.