Policing on Campus: Exploring the 20 Universities with the Largest Police Departments

Policing on university campuses is a critical aspect of maintaining safety and security within academic communities. As institutions with diverse populations, universities often rely on their police departments to address a wide range of issues, from minor disturbances to serious crimes. In this article, we will explore the 20 universities in the United States with the largest police departments, shedding light on the scale and scope of law enforcement activities within higher education settings.

1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Police Department: The UCLA Police Department is one of the largest university law enforcement agencies in the nation, serving a campus population of over 45,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a comprehensive array of services, including patrol, investigations, and community outreach, UCLA PD plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the campus community.

2. University of Texas at Austin Police Department: As one of the flagship universities in Texas, UT Austin boasts a sizable police department tasked with safeguarding a campus population of more than 51,000 students and employees. UT Austin PD is renowned for its proactive approach to crime prevention and community engagement initiatives.

3. Ohio State University Police Division: With a jurisdiction that extends beyond the main campus in Columbus to regional campuses across the state, the Ohio State University Police Division is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in Ohio's higher education landscape. Their commitment to collaboration and innovation has earned them accolades in campus safety.

4. University of Florida Police Department: The University of Florida Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the Gainesville campus, which hosts over 52,000 students, faculty, and staff. With specialized units focusing on areas such as bike patrol and crime prevention, UFPD is dedicated to fostering a secure environment for learning and research.

5. University of Central Florida Police Department: As one of the largest universities in the nation, UCF relies on its police department to uphold safety and security across its sprawling campus in Orlando. With a robust set of resources and a proactive approach to crime prevention, UCF PD plays a vital role in protecting the university community.

6. Michigan State University Police Department: Michigan State University Police Department serves a diverse campus community of over 50,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a focus on community-oriented policing and collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, MSU PD is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all.

7. University of Minnesota Police Department: The University of Minnesota Police Department serves multiple campuses across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, catering to a combined population of over 65,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a strong emphasis on community policing and student engagement, UMPD is dedicated to building trust and partnerships within the university community.

8. University of Washington Police Department: The University of Washington Police Department provides law enforcement services to the main campus in Seattle, as well as several satellite campuses and research facilities. With a focus on proactive crime prevention strategies and innovative approaches to campus safety, UWPD is a leader in higher education law enforcement.

9. University of California, Berkeley Police Department: UC Berkeley Police Department is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of one of the nation's most renowned public research universities. With a focus on community policing and collaborative partnerships, UCPD strives to create a safe and supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff.

10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Police Department: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Police Department serves a diverse campus community of over 60,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a focus on proactive crime prevention and community engagement, UIPD works tirelessly to uphold the university's commitment to safety and security.

11. Pennsylvania State University Police and Public Safety: Penn State Police and Public Safety is responsible for law enforcement and emergency management services across multiple campuses throughout Pennsylvania. With a dedicated team of sworn officers and professional staff, Penn State PD is committed to protecting the university community and promoting a culture of safety.

12. Rutgers University Police Department: Rutgers University Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. With a focus on community policing and proactive crime prevention initiatives, RUPD works collaboratively with campus stakeholders to address safety concerns and build trust within the university community.

13. University of Arizona Police Department: The University of Arizona Police Department is tasked with ensuring the safety and security of the Tucson campus, which hosts over 45,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a focus on community-oriented policing and crime prevention, UAPD is committed to fostering a supportive environment for teaching, learning, and research.

14. University of Maryland Police Department: The University of Maryland Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the College Park campus, catering to a diverse community of over 40,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a commitment to excellence in policing and a focus on community engagement, UMPD strives to enhance the quality of life for all members of the university community.

15. Indiana University Police Department: Indiana University Police Department provides law enforcement services to multiple campuses across the state, serving a combined population of over 110,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, IUPD is dedicated to promoting a safe and secure environment for teaching, learning, and research.

16. University of South Florida Police Department: The University of South Florida Police Department is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the Tampa campus, as well as several regional campuses and research facilities. With a focus on proactive crime prevention and community engagement, USF PD is committed to fostering a culture of safety and respect within the university community.

17. University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department: The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the Madison campus, which hosts over 45,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a focus on community-oriented policing and proactive crime prevention, UWPD works collaboratively with campus stakeholders to address safety concerns and promote a supportive learning environment.

18. University of Colorado Boulder Police Department: The University of Colorado Boulder Police Department is tasked with ensuring the safety and security of one of the nation's premier public research universities. With a commitment to community policing and student engagement, CUPD strives to create a campus environment where all members feel safe and supported.

19. Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department: Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department provides law enforcement services to the Richmond campus, as well as several satellite campuses and research facilities. With a focus on proactive crime prevention and community outreach, VCU PD works collaboratively with campus stakeholders to address safety concerns and promote a culture of respect and inclusion.

20. University of Oregon Police Department: The University of Oregon Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the Eugene campus, catering to a diverse community of over 25,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a focus on community policing and proactive crime prevention, UOPD is committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for all members of the university community.

Conclusion: The presence of large police departments on university campuses reflects the commitment of institutions to prioritize safety and security. By implementing proactive crime prevention strategies and fostering strong partnerships with the community, these universities aim to create environments where students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

Community Policing: To Serve, Protect, and Solve Problems, Part II

In the early 1990’s when I was a rookie officer in the now-defunct New York City Housing Police Department, I was often called to apartments for seemingly ordinary events such as water leaks. While this may not be considered a police matter, upon investigation, it is often discovered that the circumstances surrounding the water leak may require emergency personnel to respond. On numerous occasions, I discovered a person who had fallen in the bathtub and was unable to shut down the water and call for help. Other times, a person preparing dinner or washing dishes would succumb to an in-home mishap, or suffer a heart attack, and the faucet would overflow the sink. Only when the residents below noticed water dripping through their ceiling would the police be called, and the tragic discovery made in the apartment above. Or, overflowing water from an apartment where the residents were not at home would flood the apartment below. The police would be the responding agency to assure that there were no victims associated with the flooding other than property.

Because housing police patrol residential complexes, it is the duty of the officers to become familiar with the residents in the developments they are assigned to. As a rookie, I recall a senior officer making the observation that over the course of time, an active officer will notice that he is arresting the same ten to fifteen individuals over and over again in each neighborhood. The officer further stated that it behooves a cop new to an area to work all three tours of duty over a period of weeks and observe the comings and goings of the citizens on their beat. Beginning around 5:00 a.m. during the midnight tour, you will see people going to work on public transportation. A bit later, parents will escort their children to school bus stops. In the afternoons, starting at 3:00 p.m. or so, those same folks will begin to come home. By 9:00 p.m. on a warm, summer night, the working folks will start to go inside for the evening; the younger kids will go in later. His point to me was that in between the typical schedules of working adults and school aged children, the ten to fifteen repeat offenders will be on the street corners, in the playgrounds, or other common areas while everyone else is at work or school. In addition, there are unwanted visitors in public housing developments who buy drugs, commit robberies, burglaries, or worse. Officers who familiarize themselves with the routines of the residents they serve will spot those who do not live there and investigate their presence accordingly.

An observant and active officer will begin his tour by visiting all of the facilities located on his beat. Most of the public housing developments have health facilities, maintenance shops, community centers, pre-schools, and other social centers on the grounds. By speaking to those who operate the programs and the residents who patronize the facilities, and officer builds trust and keeps lines of communication open with them. Officers perform vertical patrols of the buildings and search the stairwells, roof landings, and roof tops for trespassers and others who may be engaged in law-breaking. Many buildings have active tenant patrols. These are residents who maintain a post in the lobby of their building, working in conjunction with the Housing Authority and in cooperation with the police, and screen visitors entering the building by signing them in and asking for identification. Patrol officers visit tenant patrols and sign their attendance records and inquire about any nuisances or occurrences. It is also important to attend regular community meetings to listen to and respond to the complaints of the residents and provide information on how various issues will be addressed by the police.

A Housing police officer will utilize field reports to alert maintenance about damaged locks on doors, shattered windows, broken lights, or poorly lit areas, downed fences and gates, and any other condition which leads to a lack of security. In addition, excessive graffiti, illegally dumped trash, uncollected garbage, and shattered windows lead outsiders to believe that there is a lack of oversight or weak law enforcement in the area and the building and grounds then become an attractive location for drug use or sales, robberies, burglaries, or large groups loitering in lobbies or obstructing pedestrian traffic. By maintaining close relationships with maintenance crews or other city agencies, community police officers can concentrate resources on these problematic concerns and improve the overall quality of life for the residents and reduce criminal activity.

End of Part II 

About the Author: Michael J. Kannengieser is the author of the police thriller, The Daddy Rock. He is a retired New York City police officer who lives on Long Island with his wife and two children. Michael worked as the Managing Editor for Fiction at The View from Here magazine, a U.K. based literary publication. Currently, he is employed at a performing arts college as an Instructional Technology Administrator. He has been published at The View from Here, and in Newsday, a Long Island newspaper. Michael is a contributor to Criminal Justice News. Click Here to buy a copy of Michael J. Kannengieser's new novel "The Daddy Rock."

Community Policing: To Serve, Protect, and Solve Problems, Part III

Working with the community also means utilizing discretion and taking reasonable actions when dealing with the public. Officers who are familiar with the residents of the development where they work may be more inclined to return juveniles to their parents if they are engaged in minor, nuisance activity, such as breaking housing authority rules against riding bicycles on the grass, staying in the park after the posted closing hours, or other minor infractions. Parents appreciate the discretion the officer exercises, and the rewards of appealing to the resident’s sense of empowerment in maintaining order and control in their living environment becomes tangible. A parent’s reprimand may do the child offender more justice than a juvenile report filed at the precinct. Residents who return home from work on a hot, summer evening and sit outside with an open container of beer may be better served with a request to conceal the container or to drink indoors rather than face a fine. An officer knows that any action he takes can escalate to an arrest in spite of his best intentions, but an experienced community police officer applies his discretion based on his knowledge and experience with the people her serves.

Officers operating under the community police model will investigate criminal activity to a wider extent than officers on routine patrol. If there is a suspected gambling location on his beat, drug sales, or other persistent illegal enterprises, the officer may call upon other specialized units at the precinct level or within the department after performing observations and preparing reports. In addition, the officer may be the source of intelligence for outside agencies who wish to execute a warrant or arrest a suspect. On different occasions, my partners and I reported our findings to the Organized Crime Control Bureau, detective units, and other narcotics units. Also, I provided detailed information to Postal Inspectors given to me by a member of the community who trusted me because of my history of fairness and effective policing in his community. Special Agents of the Secret Service visited out Police Service Area satellite to consult with us concerning a suspect who threatened former President Bill Clinton’s life. Because the officers I worked with and I knew the suspect and where he lived, he was arrested without incident by the Secret Service, and with Housing Police present at the scene. On numerous occasions, when responding to nine-one-one initiated calls for police assistance, we would knock on a resident’s door, and when the occupant asked who is was, we’d answer “It’s the police.” The follow-up question was almost always, “Are you Housing?” Then, we would respond with a reassuring, “Yes.”

The methods of community policing employed by the former, New York City Police Department, briefly outlined here are still utilized by the NYPD’s Housing Bureau created in 1995 after the merger of the Housing Police into the NYPD. While relationships between the police and the community can often times be strained or contentious, community policing, as exemplified by the NYPD’s Housing Bureau and the other housing police departments in cities across the nation, remains an effective and enduring model of policing.  

End of Series

About the Author: Michael J. Kannengieser is the author of the police thriller, The Daddy Rock. He is a retired New York City police officer who lives on Long Island with his wife and two children. Michael worked as the Managing Editor for Fiction at The View from Here magazine, a U.K. based literary publication. Currently, he is employed at a performing arts college as an Instructional Technology Administrator. He has been published at The View from Here, and in Newsday, a Long Island newspaper. Michael is a contributor to Criminal Justice News. Click Here to buy a copy of Michael J. Kannengieser's new novel "The Daddy Rock."

Community Policing: To Serve, Protect, and Solve Problems, Part I

When the public hears the term “community policing,” they envision a cop on the beat who knows the local shop owners and is familiar with the residents in town. The beat cop sees and hears everything, knows the routine of the townspeople, and exercises discretion for minor offenses. When police departments deploy community policing strategies, they see the same things as the public does, but their intentions go deeper. Their focus is on developing relationships with civic leaders to gain a better understanding of the needs of the public, identifying crime trends, and preventing law-breaking. Although various departments define community policing in different ways, the concept is not new, and certain agencies – in particular housing authority police departments – are models of community policing. In order to appreciate the difference between standard police model and community policing, it is important to define both and to illustrate the differences.

The standard police model (The Disparity Between Traditional and Community Policing) is a regimented and relatively anonymous, uniformed force which responds to nine-one-one initiated calls for police assistance and focuses on both preventing crime, solving past crimes, and “order maintenance,” also referred to as “keeping the peace.” Officers patrol in marked cars or on foot and concentrate on arresting offenders and upholding the law. Contact with the public is consistent with the motto: “To Protect and Serve,” (The Peelian Principles), and is typically the result of a “reactive policing” philosophy. Officers have little leeway, and the mandate for the department to enforce the law comes from the “coercive power of the law” to gain control.

Community policing is a different concept which has other names (Community-Orientated Policing, Problem Orientated Policing), and has slightly varying definitions, but boils down to the police department serving the community by getting more deeply involved in their problems and involving outside agencies. An officer is given wide-discretion to implement strategies and ideas, while working with businesses, community organizations, and individuals to address crime and quality of life issues. By engaging and interacting with shop owners, housing associations, and youth groups, police learn the specific problems related to a neighborhood and are able to call upon municipal, charitable, or police resources to address the community’s concerns. In addition, citizens feel empowered to report issues to police due to the buildup of trust through regular contact and communication.

The concept of community policing can best be demonstrated by the practices of housing authority police departments throughout the country. Directly serving the residents of public housing, police officers interact daily with tenant groups, community organizers, and individual residents. Officers are able to access the resources of the housing authority for assistance with issues ranging from criminal activity, to noise, to out-of-service elevators. In many areas, the police act as front-line representatives of government. The resourcefulness of street officers, combined with a service-orientated department focusing on community needs, fills the void where other city agencies may be lacking. Community policing is not limited to housing police agencies, but the model is best illustrated by agencies serving public housing due the physical and organizational structure of each public housing development. Individually, they are their own communities with their own unique problems, and housing police units employing community policing methods are best able to provide security for these locations.

End of Part I

About the Author: Michael J. Kannengieser is the author of the police thriller, The Daddy Rock. He is a retired New York City police officer who lives on Long Island with his wife and two children. Michael worked as the Managing Editor for Fiction at The View from Here magazine, a U.K. based literary publication. Currently, he is employed at a performing arts college as an Instructional Technology Administrator. He has been published at The View from Here, and in Newsday, a Long Island newspaper. Michael is a contributor to Criminal Justice News. Click Here to buy a copy of Michael J. Kannengieser's new novel "The Daddy Rock."

The February 22, 2013, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation between Michael J. Kannengieser, a retired NYPD police officer and the host, Raymond E. Foster, a retired LAPD Lieutenant, on the similarities and differences between NYPD and LAPD on community policing.

Program Date: February 22, 2013

Program Time: 1500 hours, PACIFIC

Topic: LAPD to NYPD: Community Policing

RSVP Via Facebook Event:  http://www.facebook.com/events/201293246678287

Hunter Adopted by Hopkins

July 29, 2008, (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. James H. Lilley, the Police-Writer.com Author of the Year (2008), has had his book, The Eyes of the Hunter, adopted by Johns Hopkins University.

James H. Lilley is a former Marine and Police Sergeant with the Howard County Police Department (Maryland). He worked in the Uniformed Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division, Forensic Services (CSI) and Drug Enforcement Division. His Street Drug Unit was featured in the book "Undercover" by Hans Halberstadt and published by Simon and Schuster. Some of his awards include The Medal of Valor, Four Bronze Stars, Four Unit Citations and the Governor's Citation. He is also an 8th Degree Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Karate. James Lilley is the author of seven books: A Question of Honor; The Eyes of the Hunter; The Far Side of the Bridge; Just Retribution; A Miracle for Tony Clements; Death Knocks Twice, and, A Tony Clements Christmas Miracle.

According to Sheldon Greenberg, Ph.D. (Associate Dean, School of Education, Johns Hopkins University), “The Eyes of the Hunter will be used as a text for the Communications course in the Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis degree program at Johns Hopkins University.” Dr. Sheldon continued that Lilley’s book will help the students “focus on creativity and critical thinking, research, understanding the audience, and formulating meaningful written documents.”

The course The Eyes of the Hunter will be used in is “Communications: Fact, Opinion, Significance, and Consequence.” According to the course description, “Within the intelligence community, findings are of little value unless they are communicated well. Dissemination of findings is essential to the success of any analysis or research. Students learn to deliver written, oral, and visual presentations for maximum effect by considering factors such as intended outcome, timing, structure, and method. Working individually and in small groups, students address issues such as lack of time to plan and prepare, unfamiliarity with the customer (end user of analytical documents), disruption and change, and coping with the unexpected. Students receive ongoing feedback on their communication style and effectiveness.

The ability to justify and present an analytical conclusion in clear, succinct prose is essential to supplying policy makers with information they need to formulate decisions. Students consider traditional and innovative methods of intelligence writing and briefing, focusing on the difference between fact and opinion. Students prepare written reports and presentations on a variety of topics and, in doing so, construct narratives, establish project credibility, convey recommendations, and reinforce key messages.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 1029 police officers (representing 431 police departments) and their 2189 criminal justice books in 33 categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.

Police Lineups: Making Eyewitness Identification More Reliable

In 1981, 22-year-old Jerry Miller was arrested and charged with robbing, kidnapping, and raping a woman. Two witnesses identified Miller, in a police lineup, as the perpetrator. The victim provided a more tentative identification at trial. Miller was convicted, served 24 years in prison, and was released on parole as a registered sex offender, requiring him to wear an electronic monitoring device at all times.

Recent DNA tests, however, tell a different story: Semen taken from the victim’s clothing—which could have come only from the perpetrator—did not come from Miller. In fact, when a DNA profile was created from the semen and entered into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s convicted offender database, another man was implicated in the crime.

On April 23, 2007, Miller became the 200th person in the United States to be exonerated through DNA evidence.

Eyewitnesses play a vital role in the administration of justice in this country. Their testimony can provide the key to identifying, charging, and convicting a suspect in a criminal case. Indeed, in some cases, eyewitness evidence may be the only evidence available.

Yet cases like Miller’s show that eyewitness evidence is not perfect. Even the most well-intentioned witnesses can identify the wrong person or fail to identify the perpetrator of a crime. According to the American Judicature Society, misidentification by eyewitnesses was the leading cause of wrongful conviction in more than 75 percent of the first 183 DNA exonerations in the United States.

These cases have caused criminal justice professionals to take a closer look at eyewitness evidence, specifically at the effectiveness of identifying suspects from photographic and live lineups. And recent studies on lineup structure and implementation have led to even more questions and disagreement in the field, highlighting the need for more research and dialogue about what works. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has initiated a multi-site field experiment of eyewitness evidence to examine the effectiveness and accuracy of this crucial and powerful component of the Nation’s criminal justice system as it is used in police departments and courtrooms across the country.

READ ON
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/258/police-lineups.html

Two Cops, a Fed and Scientist

olice-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books, added two police officers, one federal agent and a civilian police writer. Added to the growing list of writers are: William Camp, Don Howell, Michael E. Grimes and Ken Goddard.

According to Jim Doherty, William Camp was a deputy sheriff for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Camp wrote two novels Night Beat and The Jacob Park Killings.” In Night Beat, Camp recounts a rookie police officer’s first night on patrol. In The Jacob Park Killings, Camp’s story is about a murder investigation that uncovers a corrupt police force. Doherty says, the location is given the fictional names of “Sedona County,” but Camp is clearly writing about Los Angeles County.

Don Howell graduated with honors with a degree in Police Science and Administration. He spent 25 years as a police officer for two different agencies in Southern California cities, retiring from the Huntington Beach Police Department. As a detective for more than 15 years, he specialized in the investigation of sexual assaults and child abuse. He is a court certified expert in these areas and is a highly sought after consultant to agencies on complex cases.

His book, Interviewing Sex Crime Victims, was strongly endorsed by John Walsh, the host of America's Most Wanted; and, has been recommended by law enforcement professionals, social workers and educators. Howell’s book presents a step-by-step formula for interviewing sex crime victims, particularly children. The non-threatening method of interviewing children shown in the book is quickly becoming the "standard" for these difficult investigations. This book introduces the "team" approach to sex crimes investigation, demonstrating the success of blending law enforcement officers and social workers, working together, to solve the crime and protect the victim.

Michael E. Grimes spent 28 years with the United States Department of Justice in law enforcement. He began his career with the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and continued as a Special Agent when the organization became the Drug Enforcement Administration. He spent his entire career either working in the field as an agent or supervising field agents. As a field agent and supervisor he dealt with hundreds of informants and saw most, if not all, mistakes that can be made by law enforcement officers in dealing with informants. In 1980, Agent Grimes began sharing his observations with other law enforcement officers and has since lectured extensively to federal, state, and local police officers and agents nationwide.

His book, A Guide for Developing and Controlling Informants, “is vital to the success of the drug enforcement operations of any law enforcement agency.” According to the book description, “rarely can a drug case be developed without the services of informants at some stage of the investigation. This is why knowing the proper procedures for handling informants is important for police officers. The material in this manual was developed through the misfortune of many who have used informants. Use of the manual will help maintain the integrity of the department, the controlling officer and the investigation. Police departments that do not set-up and maintain a standardized system for the development and control of informants will be subject to intense scrutiny and criticism by the courts and the community.”

Ken Goddard was a deputy sheriff/criminalist with the Riverside (CA) Sheriff's office (1968-69); a deputy sheriff/criminalist with the San Bernardino (CA) Sheriff's office (1969-72); Scientific Investigation Bureau (civilian) Supervisor and Chief Criminalist for the Huntington Beach Police Department (1972-79); Forensic Science Branch Chief (civilian) and 'tech agent' (carried a badge and gun for self-protection at remote scenes, but did not have arrest authority) for the US Fish & Wildlife Service (1979-86); and National Fish & Wildlife Forensics Lab director (civilian)(1986 to present).

Ken Goddard has written and published two non-fiction books: Crime Scene Investigation and Weaponless Control. Additionally, he has written eight fiction thrillers: Balefire, The Alchemist, Digger/Cheater, Prey, Wildfire, Double Blind, First Evidence and Outer Perimeter

Currently, he is writing a third book in the First Evidence series for Bantam, and has been hired by Pocket Books to take over a series of fiction novels based on the TV series CSI written by Max Collins.

Police-Writers.com now hosts 326 police officers (representing 139 police departments) and their 746 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.

Five New Authors

Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books five additional authors: Robert Almonte, Tom Avery, William Cavenaugh, Dave Toma and Anthony D’Augustine.

Robert Almonte retired in 2003 after nearly 25 years with the El Paso Police Department. He spent the majority of his career in narcotics as a detective, sergeant, and commander, until his promotion to Captain, in May of 2000. Ultimately, Robert Almonte retired as a Deputy Chief. Robert’s book, “Covert Operations Management” “is designed to provide students with a basic theoretical and practical understanding of the management, legal and ethical issues regarding covert operations that are applicable within multiple levels of government agencies. Management issues covered include; selection and rotation of personnel, ethics, use of informants, intelligence vs. operations, compare and contrast civilian law enforcement and government activities, basic and advanced investigative techniques, and applied practical skills. This textbook is appropriate for criminal justice, criminal investigation, and homeland security programs.”

Robert Almonte’s second book, “Evolution of Narcotics Investigations,” “is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the evolution of the methods for conducting narcotics investigations. Interaction among law enforcement agencies as well as contemporary factors regarding investigative complexity will be examined. Students will also be exposed to alternative solutions to the narcotics problem.”

Tom Avery has been an investigator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, CA, for over 10 years. Tom is currently assigned to the Technology Crimes Unit. He is a Technology Crime trainer for the California Department of Justice. He is also a co-author for a book entitled “Homeland Security Principles, Planning and Procedures.” According to the description, the “text introduces a broad, in-depth look at security planning and procedures. Students will learn to develop skills in interviewing and interrogation techniques, intelligence gathering, surveillances, perimeter and crime scene security, criminal evidence preservation and collection, and principles of crowd and riot control. Additional topics include threat assessment and response, and facility security and vulnerabilities. This text also helps students develop skills in substance abuse recognition, theft, sabotage and espionage. It also covers techniques for dealing with computer security, electronic criminal investigations, firewalls and security software as well as crime prevention techniques. Additional topics include crime prevention, security access control, and security force management.”

William Cavenaugh retired as a Captain form the Laguna Beach Police Department after 30 years of service. The majority of his career was spent in uniform, assigned to traffic enforcement as a motorcycle officer during which time he made thousands of arrests for DUI. Since 1986 he has conducted a one-week long POST approved course on DUI enforcement. The course has regularly been one of the highest rated courses in California POST training. Bill also recently retired as a Colonel form the Marine Corps Reserve after thirty-six years of service.

Bill is the recipient of MADD, USA’s Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution to DUI enforcement. In 2004, Bill received the Governor’s Award for Life Time Achievement in California law enforcement training, primarily for his efforts in DUI enforcement education. William Cavenaugh authored “Drunk Driving Enforcement : The Street Cop's Guide.”

According to IMBD, "Toma" was based on the real-life exploits of Newark, New Jersey narcotics detective Dave Toma, who in the late 1960's and early 70's, made a name for himself by using unorthodox techniques to get the goods on criminals. He would often dress up as a nun, rabbi, homeless person or any other average citizen in order to blend in and get the drop on pushers.

This TV series started off with good intentions and was a hard-hitting, realistic urban police drama. But star Tony Musante was worried it was going to go the route of every other cop show and just become formulaic. When he pushed for creative changes, producers pushed back and the show ended after just one season. The concept re-emerged the following year as "Beretta" starring Robert Blake.” Toma authored two books, “Toma: The Compassionate Cop” and “Airport Affair.”

Anthony D’Augustine is a former detective lieutenant and firearms training supervisor with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey. He and his wife, Patricia, have four children and one grandson. According to the book description of “Best Enemies,” “After retiring under questionable circumstances, Mac searches to find his daughter and to square up with two of his best enemies. The search takes him to a recreational park in the Catskill Mountains known as Mongaup Pond. When a murder and kidnapping occur at the upstate New York campground, Mac takes it personally.” Anthony is currently working on his second novel, “Just Vengeance,” which chronicles the continued exploits of Mac Taylor.

Police-Writers.com now hosts 292 police officers (representing 122 police departments) and their 710 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.

Inspiration, controversy and corruption

The police experience is as varied as that of all of humanity. Bringing readers stories of inspiration in recovery, controversy in justice and true-to-life tales of corruption, police officers not only show readers their world, but reflect on the world. Recently added to the ranks of police officer turned authors are: Tom Docherty, Joanna Purl, Michael Varnado and Lieutenant Joe “Bill” Bradley.

Houston Police Department Officer Tom Docherty was hit head-on by a drunk driver on a Houston interstate. No one expected him to live, but his family prayed, and he held fast to the hope of recovery and once again returning to the police force that he had given his life to. His book, “Down, but not out” describes his inspiring journey of recovery.

Police Officer Joanna Purl survived the training in the Police Academy and at the time her book was written (1997) worked the night shift in gang control. According to her publisher, “Joanna Purl has a talent for describing a scene in a manner that puts the reader IN HER SHOES. She writes in a light-hearted way about a very serious subject. Other times she is just purely funny. Like the description of the difficulty of going to the "ladies room" in full police officer uniform, with gunbelt, baton, flashlight, and all the rest. This book is for enjoyment, education, and general interest in the subject of law enforcement as a police officer. Any person, male or female, considering such a career will find this a fascinating portrayal of life behind the badge.”

Michael Varnado began his 30 year career as a law enforcement officer while still a student at Southeastern Louisiana University. He joined Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office; ultimately becoming a detective. He is the detective famous for solving the murder case on which the movie “Dead Man Walking” is based. His first book, “Victims of Dead Men Walking” is a response to the movie (and the book from which it is taken). Detective Varnado presents a very different picture of the killer and justice. His second book, “Soft Targets: A Women’s Guide to Survival,” uses actual case histories as a means to advice women on how avoid becoming the victim of a crime.

Lieutenant Joe “Bill” Bradley retired from the Houston Police Department after 30 years of service. His first novel, “Twelve Judges” “is a series of stories detailing the work of a police lieutenant and his rogue detectives. They use every means available to them to successfully apprehend criminals including illegal wiretaps and other questionable methods. Their goal is to make ironclad cases that will withstand the dubious scrutiny of shady defense attorneys. Their cases take them from Houston to Mexico and from the ship channel to the roof of the Astrodome. In the end their honor and their careers are called into jeopardy and they must decide whether to trust their own criminal defense attorney.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 276 police officers (representing 112 police departments) and their 685 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.

Murder, sinners and souls

January 20, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans increased their representation of police authors with the addition of four police officers who continued the New Orleans’ themes of murder, intrigue and thrills in the big easy. Added to the list are Wade Schindler, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr, Frederick Morton and Lawrence Green.

Dr. Wade Schindler began his law enforcement career in 1967 when he joined the New Orleans Police Department. In New Orleans he worked various assignments such as patrol and homicide. In 1974 he became the chief of police for the Oberlin Police Department. He has a Doctorate in Criminal Justice from Southwest University in Arizona and is the author of several novels including “Help! Murder! Police!” According to his website, “Help! Murder! Police!” Is a cop's cop novel. It zeroes in on the day-to-day mission of an average patrolman on the streets of one of America's most intriguing cities at a critical moment in the history of the American psyche.”

Dr. Wade Schindler “developed the idea of a guidebook for the foreign traveler to the United States-a guidebook that would go beyond the ordinary travel guide to give visitors to this country insight into ways of protecting themselves from the all too common criminal attacks in the United States. The book, “Freeze! A Guide to Safe Travel in the United States,” discusses every aspect of safety from living arrangements to travel by automobiles, planes and trains, as well as how to sightsee and shop safely.” He is also the director of the Orleans Regional Security Institute.

According to Ron Schott, of dropzone.com, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr was “A paratrooper in the US ARMY in the early 1950's, he was also a two-time boxing champion and coach of the championship team while on duty in Korea. Following his stint in the military he became an undercover narcotics officer for the New Orleans Police Department. As a New Orleans patrolman, he was the victim of kidnapping and attempted murder. He escaped by defying the perpetrator's orders to run a police road block with his cruiser and instead aimed it at a tree and jumped just prior to the vehicle's impact. His adventures in undercover work and the characters he met provided the background material for his book, The Saint and Sinners.”

Detective Frederick (Eric) C. Morton grew up in a middle class neighborhood in New Orleans with a good family background and virtues. His father raised him with a very stern hand, but taught him always to help others, never turn anyone away who needed the help, never let your guard down, and to always put your family above all. His mother raised him to be a caring person dedicated to family values and God. All during his childhood, he loved to watch and play police, but never thought he would ever develop into that line of work. After joining the military and a few years of college, he became bored with life until a chance encounter with two New Orleans Police Detectives. Infatuated with the idea, they talked him into joining the police department. He is married with three wonderful children, and since his inception in the police department, Eric has held many positions and has attempted to make an impact wherever he went.

Lawrence (Larry) E. Green was born in Natchez, Mississippi, and was raised as a child in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is married and is the father of two children. After graduating high school, he worked as a mechanic for ten years and decided to fulfill his life long dream of being a New Orleans Police Officer. Now he has over ten years of Law Enforcement experience, where the latter part he has held the position of a Homicide Investigator for the New Orleans Police Department.

Both the authors began working together when they headed up an international investigation involving the theft of cemetery artifacts. This investigation led them into a world of supernatural occurrences that changed their life forever. Although their novel, Lost Souls in the City of the Dead,” is completely fictional, it was inspired by this true to life investigation.

Police-Writers.com now hosts 267 police officers (representing 107 police departments) and their 671 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.

Murder in the big easy

January 19, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans swept onto the scene of Police-Writers.com with the addition of four new police officers. New Orleans area police officers added are John Dillmann, James Hurley, Brian Perry and James Colbert.

John Dillmann was a highly-decorated, veteran Homicide Detective for the New Orleans Police Department has written several true crime books. As an example, in “Deadly Weekend,” John tells the story of his investigation into the disappearance of Mark Sheppard, a 50-year-old M.D. from St. Petersburg, Florida. According to one reviewer, “With the discovery of the doctor's nude body, the case took a new and grisly turn which led down the treacherous streets of the Big Easy and into the darkest secrets of a respected physician described as 'a murder waiting to happen.”

Brian D. Perry Sr., was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He joined the New Orleans Police Department, obtained a Bachelor's Degree, and upon graduation with a Juris Doctor Degree, the Mayor of New Orleans selected him as the New Orleans Police Attorney. Activated during Desert Storm, he served as the Commandant of a large logistics command. Before redeploying back to the United States he was offered a position by a major oil company in Saudi Arabia to head their investigations unit. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve and was the Executive Officer for a Joint Command in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The American Community elected him to the School Board. After seven years in the Middle East, he returned to New Orleans to practice law.

His first novel is “Algiers Point.” According to the book description, “Nick Charbonnet is an honest cop with a beautiful wife and a seductive partner. He struggles with law school and his adulterous feelings. Then his world is shattered by a single phone call. The meeting that follows is the beginning of his involvement in a world he knows nothing about. Nick must make choices. Life changing choices. Good and evil live side by side and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Big Easy.”

Born and raised in Connecticut, James Hurley is a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and a 10-year veteran narcotics agent of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. After moving to Florida, he worked in the financial industry for ten years as a stockbroker for 3 major wire houses. He currently lives in Cape Coral, Florida, where he spends most of his free time writing or on the golf course. In his 2004 book title “Gone,” “Former narcotics agent Sean Flynn must find Marcus Lowell, a professional money launderer and drug dealer under U.S. government protection. While making final preparations for one last drug deal, Lowell and his associates brutally murder a close friend of Flynn's on a remote Bahamian island and set into motion a number of events that will change Flynn's life forever. Flynn must return to the underworld of drug dealers and killers he left behind years ago. Its familiar territory, only this time the stakes are higher. His life is on the line-and he is no longer a cop.”


James Colbert served in the United States Marine Corps from 1970 to 1971. After his honorable discharge (E4), he would ultimately find his way to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office where he would serve as a Deputy Sheriff from 1976 to 1978. He has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Arkansas, and a BA from Louisiana State University. He is the author of five books. In his novel Skinny Man, Skinny “Skinny is a New Orleans police detective who is on suspension after wrecking yet another police car. While working an interim job as security policeman for his apartment complex, he becomes involved in an arson plot involving his sexy neighbor, unscrupulous real estate developers, and an intriguing woman named Ruth. Skinny is a quirky guy with a sense of humor and a habit of referring to himself in the third person.” Colbert’s other books are “Profit and Sheen,” “No Special Hurry,” “All I Have is Blue” and “God Bless The Child.”

Both Colbert and Perry were also added to www.military-writers.com, a website that lists current, retired and former military personnel who have written books. Police-Writers.com now hosts 263 police officers (representing over 70 police departments) and their 667 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.

NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary

Thursday, January 18, 2007

"Officer's Body Armor Stops Bullet"
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (01/15/07); Diedrich, John

A teenage assailant shot a Milwaukee police officer during an attempted carjacking in the city. The officer's vest prevented the bullet from piercing his chest. The 17-year-old shooter fired at point-blank range at the 36-year-old officer, who was not identified. Police have two 17-year-old suspects in custody--one of which is believed to have fired the shot. In addition, police also arrested an 18-year-old who was driving the suspects in a van and two other people at the scene of where the suspects were hiding. The suspects and the driver took off by foot after the shooting, but police were able to follow their tracks in the snow. Deputy Chief Brian O'Keefe said the two 17-year-olds quickly confronted the officer while he attempted to purchase gas for his Mitsubishi Montero SUV and road salt at a Citgo. The officer was in uniform, but he had on a civilian coat that covered the upper half of his police attire. The assailants ordered the officer at gunpoint to drive to an alley. The assailants reportedly did not give any indication that they were aware that the man they held hostage was a police officer. The officer began to struggle with one of the young men when he attempted to search him after he was ordered out of the vehicle at the alley. The officer was shot during the altercation, but was able to shoot both young men as they fled.
http://www.jsonline.com
/story/index.aspx?id=552930

"Mesa Moving Forward With Anti-Crime Project"
Associated Press (01/12/07)

The city of Mesa, Ariz., wants to launch a technology-based initiative to reduce crimes linked to illegal aliens, according to police officials. They said the project would potentially involve hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire such equipment as portable digital fingerprint scanners, license plate reading cameras, and remote cameras. Additionally, data-mining software would enable cross-searches within several federal, state, and local law enforcement databases. City leaders said federal agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms would be assigned to work with local police officers to solve crimes, swap data, and enhance communications with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Such a move could help uncover illegal aliens who had been deported or arrested previously. The city is also mulling the creation of red-curb zones to indicate places where parking a vehicle is prohibited.
http://kvoa.com

/Global/story.asp?S=5929412

"Livingston Police Go High-Tech in Their Cruisers"
Merced Sun-Star (CA) (01/12/07) P. B1; Jason, Scott

The Livingston, Calif., police department's 14 officers can now file reports, check license plates, and look into a suspect's background from their police cars. Eight in-car computers were implemented in the cruisers at the end of last month, and an additional half-dozen computers will be installed in the unmarked administration and detective vehicles by this month's end. The $242,690 for the system was approved in August by the City Council in an attempt to improve the department's technology. Although the touch-screen computers utilize the same systems the officers use at their desks, they also have GPS that can help officers study Livingston's layout. The department is still awaiting California's approval to access the state Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, which houses driver's license, firearms, and warrant databases. In addition, the system links with other states, providing officers with more search choices. The system means "we will be able to quickly identify criminals, make more arrests and ultimately have a larger number of convictions," notes city manager Richard Warne. Besides helping police dispatchers, Councilman Rodrigo Espinoza says he believes the additional time police are in public can lessen the level of crime.
http://www.mercedsunstar.com
/local/story/13189613p-13830880c.html

"Speedy Traffic Tickets Urged"
Baltimore Sun (01/12/07); Fenton, Justin

The Maryland legislature is considering a program that would allow law enforcement officials to issue e-citations to traffic violators, getting them back on the road more quickly and minimizing the amount of time officers have to stand in traffic. The electronic citations would let officers swipe driver's licenses and registrations to automatically generate a computerized ticket, which could then be transmitted electronically to the courts. Local police departments would be able to switch to the electronic systems when they were ready; many departments have already developed in-house software that allows them to handle e-citations. The state police says that it is currently ready to make the switch. State police say they would prefer a system which would eliminate the need for drivers to sign the citations, but it is unclear if this preference will make it into the final draft of any legislation. The proposal was discussed in a hearing of the state's Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 11.
http://www.baltimoresun.com
/news/local/bal-md.tickets12ja
n12,1,4274894.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

"GPS Finds Its Way Into Nassau Patrol Vehicles"
Newsday (01/11/07); Cassese, Sid

The Nassau County, N.Y., police department has installed global positioning systems (GPS) in 207 of its squad cars, a move that county officials say will allow officers to respond to incidents more quickly by enabling emergency dispatchers to contact whichever vehicle is closest to the scene of an incident. The system will work in conjunction with the Computer Aided Dispatch System in order to locate and dispatch officers. However, some critics of the systems are concerned that criminals may be able to hack into a GPS and thus track where police officers are at all times. However, a similar system set up in neighboring Suffolk County in 2000 has not yet had any such security problems.
http://www.newsday.com/news
/local/longisland/ny-ligps115047
833jan11,0,4918778.story

"Taser Unveils Latest Stun Gun"
Arizona Republic (01/09/07) P. 1; Johnson, Andrew

On Jan. 8, Taser International started accepting Internet orders for its new consumer stun gun that the firm hopes will heighten its sales, which are primarily fueled by its devices for law enforcement officials. The company introduced on Jan. 8 its Taser C2 model at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show, which ran through Jan. 11. Taser selected that venue to demonstrate the gun, which is compact enough to fit inside a purse and is available in black, silver, pink, and blue. The C2 is the follow-up to the X26C model, which was launched in 2004. Taser intends to begin shipping the initial orders of the new gun in April. The company will sell two versions of the gun: The first has a laser function and costs $350, while the other comes without a laser and goes for $300. Analysts claim the new model has numerous features that will expand a Taser's appeal to retail distributors and consumers. Besides costing a lot less than earlier consumer models, the C2 is outfitted with a proprietary technology known as SureCheck, in which the guns are inactive until a consumer submits to a background check either over the Internet or by calling a number.
http://www.azcentral.com
/arizonarepublic/business/ar
ticles/0109biz-taser0109.html

"Sheriff Gets Grant for Major Upgrading of Radio Systems"
Ashtabula Star-Beacon (01/15/07); Cook, Doris

The Ashtabula County Sheriff's Department has received in excess of $127,000 in grants from the federal Department of Homeland Security for connecting its radio system with others used by regional law enforcement agencies. The department lacked the funding needed to upgrade radio equipment in cruisers until it received the grants, according to Sheriff William Johnson. The department currently uses different frequencies from other local law enforcement agencies. The grant will also pay for acquisition of Motorola portable radios and mobile charger units in cruisers that are operated by police supervisors.
http://www.starbeacon.com

"Most Law Enforcement Agencies Don't Require Bulletproof Vests"
WESH NewsChannel 2 (Central Florida) (01/16/07)

Police have arrested two suspects believed to be involved in the shooting death of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. The shooting happened when the trooper pulled over a vehicle on U.S. Highway 27. The trooper was not wearing his bulletproof vest at the time of the shooting. The Florida Highway Patrol does not require troopers to wear protective vests, but does urge its troopers to do so. Some police personnel believe that the trooper have may survived the shooting if he had worn the vest. Most police agencies in the region give their officers the option not to wear a bulletproof vest.
http://www.wesh.com/news/10754887/detail.html

"Squad Car Computers Would Fill Variety of Needs in Dodge Sheriff's Department"
The Reporter Online (01/12/07) P. 7A; Nehls, Todd

Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls wants to acquire portable data computers and make other improvements to the Wisconsin-based Sheriff's Department. Some of Nehls' other goal include establishing substations, consolidating the dispatch system, and restructuring the records system. Nehls also cites the equipping of police cruisers with Mobile Data Computers (MDCs) as an important step. The MDCs can serve as a platform for future technological enhancements and will give officers the ability to search databases. Officers and detectives are currently restricted to making information requests on a suspect using the radio, but they could conduct information searches instantaneously using MDCs.
http://www.fdlreporter.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701120449

"City Hall Pushed to Buy $1.5 Million System to Track Gunshots"
Boston Globe (01/06/07); Smalley, Suzanne

Boston City Hall is being pressured by Boston city councilors, law enforcement officials, and community leaders to find the $1.5 million to install a gunshot detection system called ShotSpotter. The system, produced by ShotSpotter Incorporated of Santa Clara, Calif., uses a network of audio sensors, about the size of a coffee can, to triangulate the position of a gunshot, and is believed to be intended to cover parts of Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, and the South End. The system is so sophisticated that it can determine the location of a shot from as far as 1.5 miles away within seconds, can isolate gunshots from other sounds, and even distinguish between shots fired from different types of weapons. Last year Boston had 74 homicides, 54 from gunshot wounds, almost identical to 2005 which had a 10-year high of 75 homicides, with 51 from gunshots. The number of shootings in 2006 increased from 2005 to 377 shootings, an rise of more than 10 percent. Similar gunshot detection-systems are being used in Chicago, Ill., Minneapolis, Minn., Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Oakland, Calif., Gary, Ind., Charleston, S.C., and Rochester, N.Y. Last October in D.C. the system led police to a suspect only minutes after the shooting and Minneapolis has several success stories including an officer-involved shooting, the recovery of a discarded gun, the arrest of a convicted felon with a gun, and an arrest for a shooting that was never reported to the police.
http://www.boston.com/
news/local/articles/2007/
01/06/city_hall_pushed_t
o_buy_15m_system_to_track_gunshots/

"New Orleans Mayor Seeks Solutions for Growing Violence on City Streets"
Associated Press (01/09/07); Foster, Mary

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) on Jan. 9 suggested ways the federal government could help reduce crime in New Orleans. This included installing a camera surveillance system in the city and within police vehicles. Landrieu said the surveillance cameras would help apprehend offenders as well as make sure that officers carry out their duties appropriately. She also wants more agents from the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration as well as an emergency grant similar to the one given to New York City after the Sept. 11 attacks. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has estimated that nationwide, the average period of time it takes for a legally purchased gun to become implicated in a crime is five years, but in New Orleans that period is only six months, according to bureau agent Austin Banks.
http://news.lp.findlaw.com/
ap/o/51/01-09-2007/ab8e
001cc4633fd8.html

"New Model for Computer Forensics: Champlain College and Law Enforcement Team Up on Digital Investigations in Vermont"
AScribe Newswire (01/10/07)

A ground-breaking new partnership between a college and law enforcement agencies is helping police process more digital evidence and fight cybercrime in Vermont. The Champlain College Center for Digital Investigation, which received a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, is enabling two new Champlain faculty members to work with federal, state and local law enforcement investigators, performing digital investigations and adding capacity to law enforcement agencies in Vermont. Based at the Burlington Police Department, these investigators sift through digital evidence found on computers, cell phones, iPods and other digital devices so that crucial pieces of evidence can be applied to criminal investigations. The professors also share their professional experience as they teach courses in Champlain's Computer & Digital Forensics program. The grant also enables the college to create online training opportunities that will be available to members of law enforcement in Vermont and across the country. "Computer forensics and digital investigations have become an integral part of police work in the new millennium," said Professor Gary C. Kessler, director of the new center. "Computers are now as much a part of the modern law enforcement officer's daily routine as the baton, sidearm, radio and handcuffs."
http://newswire.ascribe.org
/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid
=20070110.090318&time=1
0%2045%20PST&year=2007&public=0

"It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a...DHS Drone"
Washington Technology (01/09/07) Vol. 1, No. 1,; Lipowicz, Alice

To help patrol the border between the United States and Canada, the Department of Homeland Security plans to launch test flights of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)--also known as drones--later in 2007. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Jan. 8 it intends to use the drones in a pilot program by Sept. 30. The program would take place in Grand Forks, N.D., because of its proximity to the country's border with Canada. "As unmanned aircraft have proven to be effective on our southern border, this first step in North Dakota will lay the foundation to expand unmanned aerial system operations along the nation's northern border," said Michael Kostelnik, assistant commissioner for CBP's Office of Air and Marine, in a press release. UAVs feature cameras that can observe and detect motion, and they will complement law enforcement and critical incident responses, the agency said. In addition, CBP plans to restart drone flights over the U.S.-Mexico border using Predator B aircraft in November. That program was halted in April 2006 after the first Predator drone crashed as a result of a navigation error, according to government probes. CBP also announced it will incorporate satellite infrastructure at its Air and Marine Operations Center in Riverside, Calif., in 2007. http://www.washingtontechnology.com
/news/1_1/daily_news/29943-1.html

"Social Networking Sites in the Cross Hairs?"
TechNewsWorld (01/03/07); LeClaire, Jennifer

As the popularity of social networking sites grows, so do the threats posed to them and the entire Web 2.0 community, but growing public awareness could be the best defense against this trend. The worm and phishing attack against MySpace in early December 2006 called attention to this new venue for cybercrime. Malicious tactics being employed include changing user settings, viewing account information, and implanting cookies with malicious code, all of which are made possible by exploiting the confidence users have in each other. Face Time Security Labs Chris Boyd says, "Social networking sites are goldmines of information, and a social engineer's dream. You don't even have to go dumpster diving anymore." A study conducted by CA and the National Security Alliance found that 57 percent of social networking site users admitted to being concerned about security threats, but personal information is still being posted, with no signs of slowing down. Boyd says that no matter the approach used by attackers, the goal is financial, "even if they're stealing login data, they're only doing it to spam Web sites that install adware, such as the recent MySpace worm." Attacks like this one leave users no options for defense but to not use the site at all. As social engineering scams gain more attention, so will the danger posed to Web 2.0, because its content is constantly changing, which means Web filtering applications that use URL databases or honeypots are ineffective; URLs would have to be scanned in real time. However, CTG's Ed Moyle thinks social networking sites are relatively safe, having experienced few actual attacks, since they are centralized and feature community enforcement.
http://www.technewsworld.com
/story/54932.html

"How to Buy Rifle Optics"
Police (01/07) Vol. 31, No. 1, P. 34; Smith, Scott

Rifle optics these days include both telescopic sights used by snipers, and aiming-related devices called compact optics. Combat optics use a red-dot laser to help an officer aim his weapon, and this technology first caught on with competition shooters. Today every U.S. Army soldier with an M16 or M4 rifle has a combat optic sight as well. Two inexpensive but trustworthy red-dot sights that retail for around $125 are TruGlo Dual Color and Tasco ProPoint. Mil-Spec sights begin at $300 and these are military-tailored. For police officers who wear glasses, they must use holographic sights for best results. Bushnell, EoTech, and C-More specialize in this field, with Bushnell specializing in holographic sights with night-vision. Trijicon ACOG is the leading combat optics company of magnifying red-dot sights that enlarge a target between three and five times its true size. Before any purchase, one should fully understand installation issues unique to each sight and gun model.
http://www.policemag.com

"Digital Cameras for Cops"
Police (12/06) Vol. 30, No. 12, P. 28; Spraggs, David

Digital cameras have dropped in price during the last few years, making this upgraded technology a reasonable purchase for many police departments. Furthermore, digital cameras have produced higher-quality results for police departments than manual cameras, not in the least because digital photographers can view their pictures on the camera screen and therefore reshoot any mishaps. Point-and-shoot digital cameras are great tools for a patrol officer, but forensic photographers shooting fingerprints or footwear impressions need better technology. A serviceable point-and-shoot digital camera should have between four and seven megapixels, have an optical zoom, offer low-light capability, image stabilizations, and macro-setting for close-up photos. At $200, Fujifilm's F20 offers a very serviceable camera that is officer-friendly, with solid after-sale support and service. Nikon is a top-of-the-line brand, and the Nikon L5 digital delivers the whole package, plus an especially long telephoto lens, for $275. Pentax Optio E10 is a solid choice at the bargain price of $150, and Sony's DSC-W70 has great low-light features and a good zoom lens at $275. One should also remember that digital cameras require batteries, and Nickel Metal-Hydride rechargeable batteries are the best at providing a renewable, rechargeable energy source.
http://www.policemag.com

Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.