The Ethics of Plea Bargaining: Balancing Expediency and Justice

Plea bargaining is a fundamental aspect of the modern criminal justice system, offering defendants an opportunity to negotiate with prosecutors to resolve their cases before trial. It plays a crucial role in alleviating the burden on overburdened courts and efficiently disposing of cases. However, the practice of plea bargaining raises ethical concerns as it involves a delicate balance between achieving expedient case resolutions and upholding principles of justice. This article delves into the ethical considerations surrounding plea bargaining and explores the challenges of striking a fair and equitable balance.

Understanding Plea Bargaining

Plea bargaining allows defendants to plead guilty to a lesser charge or fewer counts in exchange for a more lenient sentence or the dismissal of more serious charges. Prosecutors, on the other hand, use plea deals to secure convictions, avoid costly trials, and allocate limited resources effectively. The negotiation process can occur at various stages of the criminal justice process, from pre-trial to even during the trial.

Ethical Considerations

1. Coercion and Pressure: One of the primary ethical concerns surrounding plea bargaining is the potential for coercion. Defendants might feel pressured to accept a plea deal, even if they maintain their innocence, to avoid the risks of harsher sentences that could result from a trial. Economic and emotional pressures, inadequate legal representation, and the fear of uncertainty can lead to questionable decisions during plea negotiations.

2. Access to Justice: Plea bargaining has the potential to exacerbate the disparity between individuals who can afford skilled legal representation and those who cannot. Defendants with limited resources may be forced into unfavorable plea deals, leading to unequal treatment under the law.

3. Innocent Defendants: The possibility of innocent defendants accepting plea deals is a significant ethical dilemma. Innocent individuals might confess or plead guilty due to perceived disadvantages in the trial process, depriving them of their right to a fair trial.

4. Prosecutorial Discretion: Prosecutors possess significant discretion in plea bargaining negotiations, which raises concerns about potential abuse of power and unequal justice. The decisions made by prosecutors can significantly impact the outcomes of cases and individual lives.

5. Judicial Oversight: The extent of judicial oversight in the plea bargaining process is a matter of ethical concern. In some cases, judges may be compelled to accept plea agreements without a thorough review, limiting their ability to ensure the fairness of the negotiated outcome.

Striking a Balance

While plea bargaining undoubtedly presents ethical challenges, it also offers an opportunity to achieve justice efficiently and avoid overwhelming court systems. To address the ethical concerns associated with plea bargaining, the following measures can be considered:

1. Transparency: Ensuring transparency throughout the plea bargaining process is vital. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys should be candid with defendants about their rights, potential outcomes, and the implications of accepting a plea deal.

2. Legal Representation: Adequate legal representation is essential for defendants to make informed decisions during plea negotiations. Efforts should be made to ensure that all individuals have access to competent counsel.

3. Review and Oversight: Judges should play an active role in overseeing plea deals to ensure that they are fair and just. This might involve conducting thorough inquiries to assess the voluntariness of guilty pleas.

4. Restorative Justice: In cases where defendants admit their guilt, a focus on restorative justice principles can facilitate healing and rehabilitation, addressing the needs of victims and communities.

Conclusion

Plea bargaining is a complex ethical issue that requires a careful balance between expediency and justice. While it offers benefits in terms of efficiency and court resource management, it also presents the risk of compromising individual rights and fairness. Striving for transparency, legal representation, judicial oversight, and a focus on restorative justice can help address the ethical concerns surrounding plea bargaining, ensuring that the practice remains a valuable tool in the pursuit of a fair and effective criminal justice system.

 

Attorney General Eric Holder Testifies Before the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Washington, D.C. ~ Thursday, May 6, 2010

Good morning Chairwoman Mikulski, Ranking Member Shelby, and distinguished members of the subcommittee. Thank you for this opportunity to discuss the President’s Fiscal Year 2011 Budget for the Department of Justice and to provide an update on the department’s progress, key priorities and future plans. I appreciate your recognition of the department’s critical mission, and I look forward to your continued partnership and support.

When I appeared before this subcommittee last May, I set forth several goals for the department: to protect our nation’s security, to reinvigorate the department’s traditional missions, and to restore integrity and transparency at every level of the department’s work. I also pledged that, under my leadership, all decisions and policies would be based on the facts, the law and the best interests of the American people, regardless of political pressures or political consequences.

Almost one year later, I’m pleased to report that the department has made historic progress in meeting these goals. Although new challenges and demands have emerged, the thousands of men and women who serve the department have advanced efforts to protect our country, to enforce our laws in a non-partisan manner, to defend our interests in court, and to ensure the strength and fairness of our justice system.

The President’s FY 2011 Budget request for the Department of Justice, which totals $29 billion and includes $2 billion in program enhancements, will enable the department to build on the progress that’s been achieved over the last 15 months. During this time, we’ve enhanced our national security programs and capabilities. We’ve strengthened efforts to support our most vulnerable communities, to safeguard civil rights in our workplaces, housing markets, voting booths, and border areas, and to protect our environment. In light of last week’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, I want to note that the Justice Department stands ready to vigorously enforce the laws that protect the people who work and reside near the Gulf, the local wildlife, the environment and the American taxpayers. I recently dispatched a team of attorneys to New Orleans to monitor the oil spill, and the department will continue to provide critical legal advice and support to the agencies involved in the federal response.

As part of our focus on securing our economy and combating mortgage and financial fraud, the department is now spearheading the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force that President Obama launched last year. And, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, we’ve made meaningful progress in combating and deterring health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team. Through this initiative, we have brought the full resources of our agencies to bear against individuals and corporations who illegally divert taxpayer resources for their own profit. Just last week, this work resulted in a $520 million settlement – the largest amount ever paid by a company in a civil-only settlement of off-label pharmaceutical marketing claims. And, over the past 15 months, the Justice Department has recouped more than $2.8 billion in health care fraud cases through use of the False Claims Act, money that will be fed back into federal coffers.

The President’s budget request will enable the department to build on these achievements and to continue making progress in meeting its responsibilities. Let me assure you that, in distributing and using these funds, we will think carefully and strategically. And we will act to ensure accountability and transparency, just as we have in managing the billions of dollars that have recently been recovered.

The investments requested in the President’s Budget would allow us to continue aggressively pursuing and prosecuting financial and health care fraud, to expand the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring program, to reduce violent crime and drug trafficking, to assist our state, local and tribal law enforcement partners, to ensure that detention programs are adequately funded and that effective prison and jail re-entry programs are available, to protect civil rights, to combat international organized crime, and to enforce immigration laws. As you all know, the Department is currently working with agencies across the federal government, and with Congress, to support comprehensive immigration reform in a way that "keeps faith," as President Obama has said, "with our heritage as both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws."

The budget would also allow the department to strengthen its critical national security work. As you’ve seen, $300 million in program increases have been requested to help strengthen national security and to counter the threat of terrorism. These resources will enable us to expand on the progress we’ve made in the last year. Due to the vigilance of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies, we’ve succeeded – repeatedly – in identifying and averting nascent plots.

On Monday, Faisal Shahzad, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan, was arrested in connection with his alleged role in last Saturday’s attempted car bombing in Times Square. On Tuesday, he was charged with acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, and other federal crimes. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence in prison.

During ongoing questioning by federal agents, Shahzad has provided useful information, and we will continue to pursue a number of leads as we gather intelligence relating to this attempted attack. Although this car bomb failed to properly detonate, this plot was yet another reminder that terrorists are still plotting to kill Americans. In February, Najibullah Zazi, a key participant in the plot to bomb New York City’s subway system, pleaded guilty to terrorism violations. Less than two weeks ago, we secured another guilty plea from one of Zazi’s co-conspirators and revealed the role of senior al-Qaeda leaders in ordering the plot. Three others also have been charged as a result of our investigation.

These attempted attacks are stark reminders of the threats that we, as a nation, confront. For the Department of Justice and our partners in the national security community, there is simply no higher priority than disrupting potential attacks and bringing those who plot them to justice. In the Shahzad and Zazi cases, that is exactly what the dedicated federal agents, law enforcement officers and Justice Department prosecutors achieved through exemplary investigative efforts. It is in every American’s best interest to ensure that these public servants have the resources necessary to continue their outstanding work.

In this time of unprecedented challenges, new threats, and ongoing war, your support will continue to be critical in helping the department meet its goals and obligations. As we move forward, I look forward to working with you as all. Once again, thank you for inviting me here today. I am now happy to answer any questions you may have.

Leadership Online

July 14, 2009 (San Dimas, CA) American Heroes Press announced that the co-author of Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style, Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.) will be a guest on the internet-based radio program Ask Sharifah, on July 30, 2009 at 2PM Pacific.

Date: July 30, 2009
Time: 2PM Pacific
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Sharifah/2009/07/30/Leadership-Texas-Hold-em-Style

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Sharifah Hardie has over 15 years of online experience, is Google's #1 Ranked "Professional Business Consultant," the host of Ask Sharifah Radio Show and spotlights business owners on her website, "Celebrate Your Online Success." Call in and spotlight your business, ask your online marketing, website design, social network, internet, affiliate program, search engine related questions Monday - Friday at 2:00PM PST. For more information about Sharifah Hardie visit her website: Professional Business Consultant.

ABOUT RAYMOND E. FOSTER
Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton. He has completed his doctoral studies in business research. Raymond is a graduate of the West Point Leadership program and has attended law enforcement, technology and leadership programs such as the National Institute for Justice, Technology Institute, Washington, DC.

Raymond has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and is currently a faculty advisor and chair of the Criminal Justice Program at the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

His first book, Police Technology is used in over 100 colleges and universities nationwide. He latest book, Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style has been adopted by several universities for course work in leadership; by several civil service organizations and required reading for promotion; and, has been well received in the wider market.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Using poker as analogy for leadership, Captain Andrew Harvey, CPD (ret.), Ed.D. and Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA found the right mix of practical experience and academic credentials to write a definitive book for leaders. Working together, Harvey and Foster have written Leadership: Texas Hold em Style. Most often leaders find they are given a set of resources people, equipment, funds, experience and a mission. As Foster noted, "You're dealt a certain hand. How you play that hand as a leader determines your success."

More than a book: A fun and entertaining journey through leadership that includes an interactive website to supplement knowledge gained from the book.
Proven and Tested: Not an academic approach to leadership, but rather a road-tested guide that has been developed through 50-years of author experience.
High Impact: Through the use of perspective, reflection, and knowledge, provides information that turns leadership potential into leadership practice.
Ease of Application: Theory is reinforced with real-life experience, which results in accessible and practical tools leaders can put to use immediately.
High Road Approach: Personal character and ethical beliefs are woven into each leadership approach, so leaders do the right thing for the right reasons.
Uses Game of Poker: Rather than a dry approach that is all fact and no flavor, the game of poker is used as a lens through which to view leadership concepts.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret)
909.599.7530
raymond@hitechcj.com
www.police-writers.com

Cincinnati Final Report on 2001 Race Riots

On December 17, 2002, Susan B. Dlott United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Ohio appointed Saul A. Green and a team of eight policing experts (the Monitor Team) to monitor compliance with, and implementation of: the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), between the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), the City of Cincinnati (City) and the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD); and the Collaborative Agreement1 (CA), between the Plaintiffs,2 the Fraternal Order of police (FOP), the City and the CPD. During six years of monitoring, the Monitor Team published 21 quarterly reports that chronicle the state of compliance by the parties with the terms of the MOA and CA. The MOA and CA were born out of a unique Alternative
Dispute Resolution (ADR) process developed by Judge Dlott that came to be known as the Cincinnati police-Community Collaborative.

This is the final Monitor’s Report. The report briefly discusses: police community relations in America in an effort to put the MOA and CA in a historical context, the events leading to and the development of the MOA and CA, and some of the critical events and accomplishments during the five years of implementation and the sixth transition year. The Collaborative has been successful in laying a strong foundation for police reform. Many communities, over many decades, have tried to ameliorate the persistent problem of friction between minority communities, particularly African American communities, and the police, with little success. This report documents what went right, what went wrong and what is still to be accomplished in the Collaborative. We hope it will serve as a resource for other communities that face the complex challenge of producing healthy and productive police-community relationships and effective public safety.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
http://www.gabsnet.com/cincinnatimonitor/Final%20Report%2012-29-08.pdf

Strategies for New York City Teens Influencing Public Policy

This report describes findings from a study that sought to understand how young people can become important players in the policymaking process. Youth civic engagement literature shows that there are low levels of civic and political participation among American youth, in part because there are few policy structures to support youth in community governance. Many youth programs that work to influence public policy have been designed in response to this, but evaluation of these programs has focused on the impact of participation on the individual youth themselves – their knowledge of a particular issue, self esteem, communication skills, and perceptions of self-efficacy – as opposed to measuring the impact that a particular youth campaign had on policy.

In an attempt to understand what the most effective strategies are for youth having a voice in public policy, the study focused on the supply and demand for youth input. On the supply side, we examined several New York City programs that work to increase the voice of inner city youth in policy in order to determine what have proven to be effective strategies for influencing policy. On the demand side, we sought to determine what policymakers want to know from youth and how the voice of young people can most effectively be heard and respected. The findings of the study will be used to inform the Youth justice Board, an after-school program of the Center for Court Innovation, that seeks to influence public policy related to juvenile justice issues.

READ ON
http://www.courtinnovation.org/_uploads/documents/Voice_Youth.pdf

Harlem Justice Study

This study examines the impact of the Harlem Community Justice Center’s housing court, a community-based housing court that attempts to achieve speedier and more durable outcomes in landlord-tenant disputes. The primary objective was to determine the perceptions of pro se tenants (i.e., those who represent themselves without an attorney) whose cases are heard in Harlem about their court experience. Also examined are the perceptions of pro se tenants whose cases are heard in New York City’s centralized housing court located in southern Manhattan (“downtown housing court”). The study is based on 343 in-person interviews conducted between January and May 2007 both in Harlem and the downtown housing court and on direct observation of 406 court appearances across the two sites.

DOWNLOAD THE STUDY
http://www.courtinnovation.org/_uploads/documents/Harlem_Housing_Court_Study.pdf

BJA Drug Court Solicitation

BJA Drug Court Solicitation
Opportunity Number: BJA-2009-1979
CFDA Number: 16.585

SUMMARY:
Drug courts help reduce recidivism and substance abuse among nonviolent offenders and increase an offender's likelihood of successful rehabilitation through early, continuous, and intense judicially supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, community supervision, and appropriate sanctions and other habilitation services. A drug court can be a specially designed court calendar or docket as well as a specialized court program. Drug courts funded through the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program are required by law to involve nonviolent offenders and must implement an adult drug court based on the BJA and National Association of Drug Court Professionals' publication: Defining Drug Courts: The Key Components. Implementation grants may also serve DUI/DWI offenders. The FY 2008 solicitation offers three drug court grant categories: Implementation, Enhancement, and Statewide.

FUNDING:
Award ceiling of $350,000.

ELIGIBILITY:
For Implementation and Enhancement Grants, applicants are limited to states, state and local courts, counties, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments, acting directly or through other public or private entities. For Statewide Grants, applicants are limited to state agencies.

DEADLINE:
January 29, 2009.

TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/09DrugCourtsSol.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chris Casto at (202) 353-7193 or chris.casto@usdoj.gov

Public Safety Technology in the News

Experimental Shoe-Print Database Sees the Soles of Criminals
Wired, (11/20/2008), Ryan Singel

A computer science professor at the University of Buffalo is conducting research to enhance computational forensics for shoeprints. Sargur Srihari is building a search engine containing thousands of shoe images from Internet shoe sites. When complete, the system would allow law enforcement forensics units to submit a photo of a shoe print from a crime scene to quickly obtain the gender, size and brand of shoe. The professor and his graduate students initially developed a shoe tread database containing more than 10,000 pairs of men's shoes. Students then stepped in powder to create images of the soles. Srihari is working on algorithms to identify likely matches for the images for partial foot prints. The work is being done with a $300,000 grant from the Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice.
blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/11/professor-sees.html

Prisons Beefing Up Teleconferencing to Save Money
Associated Press via Hartford Courant, (11/23/2008)

Connecticut is the latest state to increase use of courtroom teleconferencing to improve public safety and save money. Connecticut finished installing teleconferencing equipment in all of its 18 correctional facilities in October. During that month about 150 inmates used the system to participate in hearings on parole, civil and family and immigration and customs matters. Corrections officials say using teleconferencing spares them from having to move inmates between the jail and hearings. Other states that are using teleconferences between judges and inmates include Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Caroline, South Dakota and Tennessee.
www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-ap-ct-teleconferencinginov23,0,4504091.story

RISC: Repository for Individuals of Special Concern Rapid Search Functionality
FBI, (11/2008)

The FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) Repository for Individuals of Special Concern (RISC) rapid search functionality system will provide officers with important identifying fingerprint information. When this new system becomes functional, during a vehicle stop an officer could take a minimum of two or a maximum of 10 fingerprint images from an individual using a mobile device and submit it through a participating state's identification bureau to FBI RISC. RISC in turn performs a limited repository search of persons of special interest, such as wanted persons, known or suspected terrorists or sexual offender registry subjects. The goal of NGI is to process this submission within seconds, and the expectation is to respond with a red, yellow or green flag. A red response means a viable candidate has been identified and the response includes category of hit, FBI number and master name. A yellow response means the level of confidence that a candidate is viable is bel! ow the level required for a positive match, and green means the search did not identify a viable candidate. RISC will provide law enforcement with rapid/mobile identification services that quickly assess the potential threat level of an encountered individual. The FBI is currently prototyping this capability. Deployment of RISC will be dependent on capabilities of individual state and local agencies. For more information visit the FBI Web site at www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/ngi.htm or call (304) 625-5590.

Texas Prison Officials Plan Cell Phone Jamming Test
American Statesman, (11/26/08), Mike Ward

Texas wants to be the next state to test cell phone jamming technology in prisons. Prison inmates can use cell phones to commit criminal activities while incarcerated. Jamming prevents cell tower transmissions from reaching the phone. South Carolina recently tested jamming technology in one of its prisons and wants to conduct a pilot program to test the technology further. Federal law, however, allows federal agencies to obtain authority to jam cell signals, but states and localities are prohibited from doing so by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Local authorities are working with members of Congress and the FCC to determine if it is possible to revise the law.
www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/26/1126cellphones.html

High-Tech Radio Microwaves to Connect law enforcement in State
Sidney Herald, (11/18/2008), Louisa Barber

Public safety agencies in Montana have new tools to communicate easily across the state. As part of the Interoperability Montana Project, which has been underway for several years, authorities recently began using high-tech radio microwave technology to communicate securely using encrypted two-way radios. The state is also working on developing an interoperable mobile data system in cooperation with the state highway patrol and department of transportation.
www.sidneyherald.com/articles/2008/11/19/news/doc4923797542b02192281513.txt

TSA Tests Boarding Pass technology
Security Directory News, (11/25/2008), Leischen Stelter

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has completed a test of an automated system that encrypts personal passenger information on a boarding pass. The Laser Data Command's PassPro system uses images, fingerprints and documentation such as a driver's license or passport to confirm passenger identity. The information is encrypted and compressed into a barcode and printed onto the boarding pass, which can be scanned by airport security. The system is designed to improve security and speed passengers through the process. The system was tested at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport using law enforcement officers as a test group. Outcome of the testing is confidential.
www.securitydirectornews.com/article/sd200811kwrHDZ/TSA%20tests%20boarding%20pass%20technology

North Carolina law enforcement Finds Success in Tracking Crime Suspects
PR Newswire, (12/02/2008)

North Carolina has joined 11 other states that use a multijurisdictional computerized system that allows law enforcement agencies to search for criminals nationwide with a touch of a keyboard. Justice Xchange users have access to booking records, warrants and other information from law enforcement agencies in other states. The system can also be used to locate missing persons and witnesses. Other states currently using the system are Texas, New York, Florida, Washington, Kentucky, Utah, Arkansas, Indiana, South Dakota, Maryland and Arizona.
www.ibtimes.com/prnews/20081202/nc-appriss-crimetrack.htm

Police Setting Up Database on Gangs
Boston Globe, (11/30/2008), Jay Atkinson

Massachusetts law enforcement agencies will soon have access to a collaborative database containing information on violent street criminals, especially street gangs. The MassGangs database project was developed with a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and will have information on a suspect's associates, criminal history and gang affiliation. Data can be shared immediately as it becomes available. Officers will fill out a form that assigns a point value to a suspect's gang-related criteria. Point values are assigned for categories such as "self admission" and "known group tattoo/marking." A score of 10 or more points will register a suspect as a member of a gang. Officials plan to launch the MassGangs database in January 2009.
www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/11/30/police_setting_up_database_on_gangs/

Johns Hopkins Tests Gunshot Detection System, Police Respond
Security Director News, (11/25/2008), Leischen Stelter

Johns Hopkins University is participating in a gunshot location pilot program. The SECURES Detection System has been installed using 93 sensors mounted on streetlights and buildings surrounding the university's 140-acre campus in Baltimore, Md. If the sensors detect a gunshot, a signal displaying the location is transmitted to the university's communications center, which notifies Baltimore Police to respond. The city of Baltimore will be evaluating the technology during the pilot to decide if it should be used in other parts of town.
www.securitydirectornews.com/article/sd200811pXovn0/Johns%20Hopkins%20tests%20gunshot%20detection%20system,%20police%20respond

Schools to Use Spray for Drug Detection
WSMV Nashville, (11/25/2008), Jonathan Martin

Metropolitan Nashville public schools have decided to use D4D spray to detect illegal drugs. The equipment for the test will be free through a partnership with the Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice. The test can detect more than 10 different drugs based on a color chart. School officials plan to use the spray to test students' desks, cars, book bags and pockets. In the past the schools have used a dog to search for drugs. Officials decided to begin using the spray because of the number of students being busted with marijuana and cocaine.
www.wsmv.com/education/18145960/detail.html

New Online Event: Sexual Assault on College Campuses

December 11, 2008: 2-4 pm (EST)
Online event. Registration required, and free of charge.

This event is the last of four in the Series on Sexual Violence, sponsored by the Government Innovators Network and the National Institute of Justice. Additional event topics include sexual violence from an international perspective, sexual violence and evidence collection, and residency restrictions for sex offenders. Ample time will be allocated for audience Q&A.

Did you know that more than 50% of college sexual assault cases involve alcohol? Despite media perceptions, date rape drugs are rarely used. Schools vary widely in how they comply with requirements to report and respond to sexual victimization. Many schools need guidance on how to handle security, report crime data, and ensure victim rights.

This event will examine the prevalence, nature, and reporting of various types of sexual assault experienced by university students, including those perpetrated by "undetected" rapists, and will discuss evidence-based prevention strategies. The discussion will be moderated by Marnie Shiels, Attorney Advisor for the Office on Violence against Women. The panel includes:

Chris Krebs - Senior Research Social Scientist, RTI International
David Lisak - Forensic Consulting, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Dorothy Edwards - Director, The Violence Intervention and Prevention Center, University of Kentucky

MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER
http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/spotlight.html?id=1841&preview=0

Public Safety Technology in the News

Homeland Security and Justice Departments Providing More Info to Local Officers
The National Ledger, (11/16/2008), Jim Kouri

The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice (DOJ) have enhanced their biometric systems to improve information sharing with state and local agencies. The changes improve interoperability between the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT) and the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). To target criminal aliens, a new database link can automatically check the criminal and immigration history of individuals incarcerated by local and state law enforcement. IDENT and IAFIS interoperability is key to Secure Communities, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's comprehensive plan to identify criminal aliens in local communities. Seven sites nationwide have participated in a pilot version of interoperability between the DHS and DOJ databases. The Customs agency plans to expand this capability to more than 50 state and local law enforcement agencies by next spring.
www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272623792.shtml

New Police Car Scans License Plates, Sniffs Out Bombs
ABC News, (11/15/2008), Patrik Jonnsson

law enforcement professionals attending the International Association of Police Chiefs' annual meeting in November got their first look at a "purpose-built" Police Car. The Carbon E7 is a 300-horspower car that runs on biodiesel fuel. It is equipped with sensors for weapons of mass destruction and automatic license-plate scanners. Carbon Motors would need to sell about 20,000 cars to U.S. law enforcement agencies to warrant its proposed 2010 production run. In designing the vehicle, the company included ideas gleaned from law enforcement officers, including a "hoseable" rear seat, an extra-wide driver's seat into a cockpit-style front compartment and side emergency lights to increase visibility and safety. The vehicle sticker price has not yet been announced.
abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=6254509&page=1

Improved Measurements Could Mean Safer, More Reliable Electroshock Weapons
ScienceDaily, (11/14/2008)

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are working toward a standard method for assessing the electrical output of electroshock weapons. In recent years, conducted-energy devices such as stun guns have become popular among law enforcement agencies as less-lethal weapons. Questions have been raised about whether the devices can contribute to or cause death in some individuals. Groups such as Amnesty International have called for guidelines that include "threshold exposures," which are the minimum level that would incapacitate different groups of people without putting them at risk for injury or death. However, current reports on the voltage the weapons deliver are inconsistent. NIST scientists have developed methods for calibrating the high-voltage and current measurement probes used by industry. More research is needed, but eventually NIST will work with government agencies and the law enforcement community to standardize the method that ! will facilitate establishment of user guidelines.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081113140420.htm

Crime Cartography
The Diamondback, (11/11/2008), Kyle Goon

Police at the University of Maryland will soon be able to directly contribute crime data to the crime-mapping Web site www.UCrime.com. UCrime relies on police departments, newspapers, user reports and university incident logs to find crime data and plot it on a Google map. Crimes are classified by category and include descriptions of what happened. University police want to upload the university's crime information for crime mapping purposes.
media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2008/11/10/News/Crime.Cartography-3536238.shtml

Californian Prisons Employ Robotic Scouts
Gizmag, (11/04/2008)

California's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has agreed to test remote-controlled surveillance robots. Roughly 250 of the 1.2-pound Recon Scouts are used by law enforcement agencies in the United States and military personnel in Iraq. Ten robots will be tested in California prisons. During hostile prison situations, the robots can be thrown into place or fired from a tear-gas launcher. They can survive a 30-foot drop onto concrete and can be operated from up to 100 feet away using a handheld controller, which displays footage from the robot. The robots cost $6,000 ($9,000 with an infrared camera).
www.gizmag.com/californian-prisons-employ-robotic-scouts/10306/

States Complete Radiation Detection Drill
Global Security Newswire, (11/07/2008)

Nine states and the District of Columbia recently completed a practice exercise to test their ability to cope with a nuclear or radiological attack. The exercise, which ran several days, tested the coordination capabilities in the southeastern region of the United States. The exercise was the end result of the Southeast Transportation Corridor Pilot Program, which emphasized training, improved communications Technology and emergency protocols to improve regional nuclear detection and response capabilities.
www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20081107_5287.php

BMV Joins Identity Theft Fight
Indianapolis Star, (11/07/2008), Gretchen Becker

An Indiana agency is testing face-recognition Technology for driver's licenses to help fight identity theft. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will test the Technology at three of its Indianapolis branches as part of a pilot program. A $2.4 million software program scans the millions of photos in the database to determine if a photo is on a different credential with a different name. The software looks for matching points on the face, such as the distance between pupils, and compares those to other images with the same data points. The system reports any suspect names and faces. About 20 states are using the Technology.
www.indystar.com/article/20081107/LOCAL/811070442

Wichita Falls Unified Command Post is Ready for Operation
Texomas, (11/14/08), Sara DiMuro

The city of Wichita Falls, Texas, has a new rolling command center to help cope up close with long-term situations such as standoffs, environmental hazards and weather disasters. The $400,000 center, which was funded with federal grant money, is available for use across north Texas. The unit has full telephone and dispatch capability, infrared night vision and a camera mounted on the top.
texomashomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=22831

New Technology in Bonneville Co. Will Help Find Missing Children
KPVI-TV, (10/31/08), Andrew Del Greco

The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office in Idaho is the latest jurisdiction to obtain iris scan Technology as a tool to locate lost children. The sheriff's office will share the Technology with other agencies in the state. Should an adult or child go missing, if their eyes have been scanned their identification can be sent digitally across the United States. Young children may not know their names or phone numbers and can be identified with an iris scan. Thirty-five states currently use the Technology.
www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=9276017

Green Prisons Farm, Recycle to Save Energy, Money
Associated Press, (11/01/08), Phuong Le

Corrections facilities are discovering the benefits of going green. Prison officials find that using inmates to keep bees, recycle, and grow organic vegetables reduces costs, lowers the impact on the environment and provides inmates with new skills. Agencies are replacing old appliances with energy-efficient ones and installing solar panels. Because of a water shortage this summer, inmates in the North Carolina's prison system converted 50-gallon pickle barrels into small cisterns to capture rainwater. The green practices instituted by the Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Washington state has resulted in the facility using 250,000 fewer gallons of water a year and saving $6,000 to $8,400 annually on garbage bills.
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gW-MYyvVx600Ql2nvH6z6Ybk9yJQD946B0CO0

REQUEST for INFORMATION – RFI

This is a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) only. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is developing an equipment standard for vehicular digital recording systems used by law enforcement to record events in and around patrol cars. NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of Justice and public safety. NIJ does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for information received in response to this RFI.

This RFI is issued solely to solicit technical input from Industry (i.e., manufacturers and testing laboratories) for consideration by NIJ as it develops a performance standard for vehicular digital recording systems. No product demonstrations or marketing presentations will be scheduled as a result of this research/information gathering announcement. Specifically, through this RFI, NIJ seeks to gather test methodologies and performance requirements that Industry representatives feel should be included in the standard currently being developed, along with the rationale for these suggestions. These include test methodologies and performance requirements that address, but are not limited to, camera and audio device functions; safety; and recording, transfer, and security of video and audio. If a test method being suggested is currently in use, NIJ is interested in learning why that particular method and applicable parameters were chosen and what information the test results provide.

Responses to this RFI should be submitted no later than November 24, 2008 in order to ensure full consideration. The narrative section of your response (summary of recommendations) should not exceed 7 double-spaced pages. Company information, abstract, table of contents, charts, figures, appendices, and data and information supporting the recommendations, do not count toward the 7-page limit for the narrative section. Responses should be sent via overnight express mail or e-mail attachment to the contact person below, and include the vendor's company name, address, point of contact name, e-mail address, and telephone number. Any proprietary or company confidential information provided in the response must be clearly marked on every applicable page of the response provided.

Point of Contact: Casandra Robinson
Mailing Address: NIJ, 810 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20531
Email Address: Casandra.robinson@usdoj.gov

'Internationalizing' Criminal Justice Research

When the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) set out to develop updated standards for portable X-ray equipment used by bomb squads, British scientists and engineers did most of the work. "Explosives have no nationality," said Chris Tillery, associate deputy director for science and technology at NIJ. “Most countries have the same concerns.”

Because NIJ has close contact with the British Home Office Scientific Development Branch, officials on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean knew that American and British law enforcement agencies were independently working on similar projects. This contact made it possible for the American effort to leverage the considerable experience and expertise developed by the British over decades. The collaboration is a good example of how international efforts can ultimately help U.S. state and local law enforcement agencies.

READ ON
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/260/internationalizing.htm

Spring 2009 Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute

Application Deadline: February 1, 2009

For the seventh year, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is sponsoring a Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute. This technology institute will be held May 3-7, 2009 in Coronado (San Diego), California and is targeted/designed for the command staff/supervisory personnel of rural and small law enforcement agencies containing less than 50 sworn officers. Law enforcement personnel will learn about and discuss technology initiatives and issues affecting the rural and small law enforcement community. Participants will receive information and assistance on existing and developing technologies, work through problems relating to technology implementation, and exchange technology lessons learned, that are of importance to the rural and small law enforcement community.

As part of the program, participants are required to give a brief (no more than 15 minutes) PowerPoint presentation on a technology issue that their department has encountered or is in the process of implementing (i.e. implementation of a crime mapping program, new communications system, automated booking station, etc.). The presentation can be either an "issues to be dealt with" or a "lessons learned" format, depending on whether the program has been completed, and must be submitted on CD-ROM with the application.

There is no registration cost and all travel, food, and lodging expenses are paid. However, only 35 individuals will be selected to attend. Previous attendees of the NIJ Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute or the NIJ Technology Institute for Law Enforcement or Corrections are not eligible to reattend.

The deadline for submitting an application is February 1, 2009 and applications not received by that date and/or applications submitted without a CD-ROM containing the PowerPoint presentation will not be considered. The application and PowerPoint CD-ROM should be mailed to the following address:

Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center
ATTN: Rural LE Tech Institute
101 Bulldog Lane
Hazard, KY 41701

Please contact Scott Barker, Deputy Director-Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center, at 866-787-2553 or by email at ruletc1@aol.com for additional information about the NIJ Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Coquitlam, BC, will host a Crime Analysis Applications Course from October 6th to October 10th 2008. The course will be presented by Steve Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Alpha Group Center for Crime and Intelligence Analysis Training, and may be used for Certification purposes in the Certificate in Crime and Intelligence Program offered by the California Department of Justice and the California State University system.

This will be a "hands-on" applications course which takes a "learning-by-doing," practical approach to training. Students will actually perform the tasks associated with Crime Analysis work. Each participant will also receive a copy of Mr. Gottlieb's book, "Crime Analysis: From First Report to Final Arrest," a textbook over 600 pages which explains how to design, implement, and operate a Crime Analysis program, and how to use a wide variety of analytical techniques to forecast when and where criminals are likely to strike again. Each participant will also receive a copy of Mr. Gottlieb's 150-page step-by-step "Crime Analysis Study Guide and Workbook," which will be used throughout the class. Tuition is $525.00 and includes the week of instruction, the text, workbook, and a wealth of handout materials.

To obtain a course brochure or to register for the course, please contact remittance Cpl Robert McDonald, RCMP, 2986 Guldford Way, Coquitlam, BC, Canada.You may also register by phone by calling Cpl McDonald at (604)945-1472 by faxing your registration form to him at (604)552-7303 or by email to: Robert.mcdonald@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or Diana Olson of the Alpha Group at (909) 484-2169 or contact by e-mail at: crimecrush@aol.com. Additional information about the content of the course can also be found on the Alpha Group website at www.alphagroupcenter.com

Criminal Investigative Analysis Course

The Murfreesboro Police Department, TN will host a Criminal Investigative Analysis Course from September 22nd to September 26th 2008. The course will be presented by Wayne Porter of the Alpha Group Center for Crime and Intelligence Analysis Training, and may be used for Certification purposes in the Certificate in Crime and Intelligence Analysis Program offered by the California Department of Justice and the California State University system.

Mr. Porter is an FBI-certified Police fellow profiler who for 11 years profiled serial rape and homicide cases as a Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, several of which have been featured on television's A&E's Investigative Reports and Court TV. Currently maintaining his sworn status as a Reserve Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Mr. Porter, who retired with 32 years in Law Enforcement, now consults and instructs on violent Crime topics along with practical applications of Criminal investigative analysis techniques for Law Enforcement organizations throughout North America.

Designed for both investigators and Crime analysts who are responsible for investigating or assisting in the investigation of rape, homicide, and violent Crime cases, this course takes a very practical "learn-by-doing" approach to training that, through lectures and demonstration, provides students with numerous opportunities to walk through the analytical process in the analysis of serial rape and homicide. Participants learn how to analyze Crime scene patterns, recognize the all-important signatures of serial violent crime such as homicide and rape, identify the behavioral, physical, and personality characteristics of offenders who commit these crimes. They'll also be shown how to determine the offender's obsessions and motivations, how to determine if, when, and where offenders may strike again. In addition the course will address the target selection process of offenders, sexual deviants behaviors exhibited by the offender, how female serial killers differ from male serial killers, and how social and environmental factors shape an offender's life.

Each participant will receive a copy of "The Criminal Investigative Analysis Study Guide and Workbook," a manual of over 700 pages of class notes and supplemental reading material, and a CD of "Managing Death Investigations," by Arthur Westveer, Jr., containing over 600 pages of material for the investigation of many types of violent deaths. This is an unique opportunity to become more aware of the investigative analysis process currently preformed by the Police-fellow and F.B.I. profilers. The student will learn the importance of walking in the shoes of both the suspect and the victim.
Tuition for the course is $525 and includes the week of instruction and all related course materials. The course also fulfills the requirements of the Certified Crime and Intelligence Analysts Program and may be used for certification purposes.

To obtain a course brochure or to register for the course, please contact remittance Lt Steve Teeters, Murfreesboro Police Department, 324 S.Church St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.You may also register by phone by calling Lt Teeters at (615) 895-3874 by faxing your registration form to him at (615) 849-2628 or by email to: steeters@ci.murfreesboro.tn.us or Diana Olson of the Alpha Group at (909) 484-2169 or contact by e-mail at: crimecrush@aol.com

New Body Armor Standard

Body armor (which is commonly but inaccurately called "bulletproof" vests) has saved the lives of more than 3,000 law enforcement officers since 1975. NIJ has revised the standard for body armor to require rigorous testing of the vests that now includes conditions of high heat, humidity and mechanical wear before ballistic testing. The standard ensures that the vests police officer wear will continue to protect them as the material ages.

The revised standard is the fruit of the Justice Department's Body Armor Safety Initiative. The initiative followed the failure of a vest worn by a police officer in Forest Hills, Pa. While the officer survived the shooting, he had serious injuries. The shooting was the only case ever reported to NIJ in which body armor compliant with the standard failed to prevent penetration for a bullet it was designed to defeat.

Download the new standard from NIJ's web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/223054.htm.

Public Safety Technology in the News

Military WrapsTM Unveils New Camouflage Technology PIRATETM
Stockhouse.com, (06/13/2008)

To aid law enforcement and military personnel in achieving realistic training exercises, Military WrapsTM, Inc., which specializes in camouflage concealment, has created Photo-Immersive Realistic Aides for Training Environments (PIRATETM). The system is designed to accurately create and depict situations based on high-megapixel images that can be altered to enhance the perception of scale and perspective for the user, and then the images are printed to special vinyls. These vinyls can be used to make rooms, offices, city blocks, schools, or parade routes and then be applied to the interior or exterior of the agencies training facility.
www.stockhouse.com/News/USReleasesDetail.aspx?n=6939185

Tasers Getting More Prominent Role in Crime Fighting in City
The New York Times, (06/15/2008), Al Baker

One of the Nation's largest police forces is re-evaluating the use of the Taser as a less-lethal option for the department. However, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) isn't just putting the units out on the streets; it is using a study from the RAND Corporation, using feedback from department personnel about the study, and using an internal study between two similar departments (one with the Taser and one without) as a guide for the implementation of the Taser. The RAND study was commissioned in 2007 after a police-involved shooting found two things: that additional study would be needed based on current available Taser use data, and the department's 455 fatal police-involved shootings may have ended differently had a Taser been an alternative. For now, NYPD's plan is to move Tasers from the trunks of certain vehicles to the gun belts of the agency's 3,500 sergeants while continuing to analyze full implementation of the Taser units.
www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/nyregion/15taser.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin

GE Security's MobileTrace Helps Iredell County Sheriff Identify Narcotics-Tainted Cash
BusinessWire.com, (06/16/2008)

Iredell County Sheriff's Office officers using GE Security, Inc's MobileTrace were able to seize almost $300,000 cash from a rental car stop. The MobileTrace technology is portable and capable of detecting explosive and narcotics at the same time. The information collected by the units can be used as evidence and allows officers to evaluate findings in a timely fashion while in the field.
www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080616005275&newsLang=en

DuPont Announces New Kevlar Technology
Forbes.com, (06/16/2008), Randall Chase

The development of a more demanding National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard for body armor has resulted in DuPont, Inc., producing a new Kevlar product. The new product is a lighter woven material coupled with a new process for coating the fibers. According to DuPont, the new material will stop the projectile sooner with less layers, allowing the remaining layers to protect against backface deformation. The new material will have a broad range of applications for the company, but initially the aim is greater protection for law enforcement against high-caliber handguns.
www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/06/16/ap5121589.html

Tech-Savvy: Mineral Co. Sheriff's Office Gets New Equipment
News-Tribune, (06/13/2008), Bobbie Carpenter

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office is purchasing laptops to be installed in 6 of the agency's 12 cruisers. These laptops must be in place and be used to transmit electronic traffic reports by 2009 in order to comply with a State mandated law. The first six laptops were purchased using a Federal grant from the Governor's Highway Safety Program, and additional laptops for the remaining cruisers will hopefully be funded through the county's budget. The sheriff's office used concealed weapons funding to purchase the mounts for the first six vehicles to be equipped with the laptops.
www.newstribune.info/news/x822800157/Tech-savvy-Mineral-Co-Sheriff-s-Department-gets-new-equipment

Police Use GPS-Equipped Bait Car to Catch Car Thieves
Government Technology, (06/09/2008), Jim McKay

Catching car thieves using a bait car began in the late 1990s, but required much police manpower to monitor the vehicle. Times have changed, and now officers can go about their regular duties instead of monitoring the vehicle. In Sacramento, California, the bait car is equipped with GPS that activates should the car be tampered with or started, and alerts police dispatch at the command center so they can track the vehicle's location and notify nearby officers to respond. Should the thief try to run when officers attempt to stop the vehicle, the dispatcher will be notified and has the ability to activate the car's kill switch, which will gradually slow down and shut off the vehicle. For added measure, the dispatcher can also lock the car to prevent the thief from running away on foot. Benefits of this type of system are huge, both for police and the public because it eliminates and/or significantly reduces the opportunity for a high-speed chase.
www.govtech.com/gt/366274?topic=117680

CSI: Anchorage-Summertime Sleuths
Anchorage Daily News, (06/16/2008), Megan Holland

Riding the popularity wave of the "CSI" series and subsequent spinoffs, a summer camp started by a South Anchorage High biology teacher draws on the popularity to teach students and maybe develop future forensic specialists. Students participate in mock crime scenes to gather and analyze evidence to help solve the "crime." Along the way, and without noticing because of the fun they are having, students learn biology, chemistry, and physics. The camp is operated by the Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers.
www.adn.com/crime/story/437803.html

DNA Evidence Gains Acceptance as a Key Tool in Robbery Cases
The Wall Street Journal, (06/19/2008), Gautam Naik

DNA evidence more commonly used for serious offenses like rape or murder is now being considered as an option for helping to solve property crimes. However, the down side to what seems to be an effective tool is the cost associated with such analysis. Analysis may be or can be more than some jurisdictions can afford. A five-city pilot project funded by the National Institute of Justice indicated that DNA evidence can have a powerful and positive affect on property crime investigations. According to Steve Allison of the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center at Denver University, "People committing serious crimes usually start on smaller ones. So through this process you can get these people identified and in the system earlier." This concept is now new in Great Britain, which has embraced a broader use of DNA evidence, and because of the results the U.S. Department of Justice funded this five-city project.
online.wsj.com/article_email/SB121384113207187445-lMyQjAxMDI4MTEzOTgxNDkxWj.html

Tracking the Event Horizon
Corrections.com, (06/17/2008), Ann Coppola

The 9th Annual Innovative Technologies for Community Corrections conference highlighted the latest innovations in tools for offender monitoring, as well as risk assessment and testing, but it also showcased tools and technology not yet available to practitioners. Conference attendees involved in various aspects of community corrections came from several foreign countries and 44 U.S. States. One technology on display was hybrid GPS tracking that incorporated cellular communications to ensure indoor tracking and monitoring. The conference sponsor, the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center-Rocky Mountain, introduced the newest version of Field Search and discussed the future release of a Macintosh compatible version. Of particular note was the increase in law enforcement attendees. Agencies are seeing advantages to working with those in the community corrections field due to the information produced as a result of offender monitoring.
www.corrections.com/news/article/18816

Pistol Cam: When Cops Draw This Point-and-Shoot, Say Cheese
Wired.com, (06/23/2008), Vince Beiser

The SWAT team of the Orange County (New York) Sheriff's Office has recently begun using the PistolCam. The PistolCam is a small device, combining a video camera, a flashlight, and a laser sight, that attaches to the underside of a gun barrel. The camera begins recording when the gun is drawn and can store an hour of video. Developed by Legend Technologies, the PistolCam is priced at $695.
www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/magazine/16-07/st_pistolcams

10th Annual Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Exposition October 29-31, 2008

PRESENTED BY:
The U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ), Homeland Security (DHS), and Defense (DoD)

SPONSORED BY:
DOJ's Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice, DHS's Science and Technology Directorate, and DoD's Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association
InterAgency Board for Interoperability and Standardization
International Association of Chiefs of Police
International Association of Emergency Managers
National Emergency Management Association
National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center
National Sheriffs' Association
Public Safety and Security Institute for Technology
Technical Support Working Group
US Army RDECOM's Natick Research Development and Engineering Center


CONFERENCE MISSION:
The 10th annual Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Exposition highlights DOJ, DHS and DoD's technology and training tools currently available and being developed for the emergency responder community, as well as provides a forum for emergency responders to discuss best practices and exchange information. With 1,500 attendees and 200 exhibits and demonstrations expected, this conference offers a unique opportunity for emergency responders, business and industry, academia and local, tribal, state, and Federal stakeholders to network, exchange ideas and address common critical incident technology and preparedness needs, protocols, and solutions.

LOCATION:
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601

Room Rates:
$185: State/local public safety practitioners
$205*: Federal government/industry/other
(subject to change 10/01/08 to FY09 per diem)

Hyatt Regency Chicago hotel reservations will be available starting in early June through the conference website.

ATTENDEES:

$250: Local, Tribal, State & Federal Government
$350: Non-profit/Academia/Federally designated 8(A)'s
$550: Private Sector/Industry/Other

Attendee registration will open in early June at www.ctc.org. Look for our next e-mail, which will announce the opening of registration, in a couple of weeks!

EXHIBITORS:

$1,800: Local, Tribal, State & Federal Government/Non-profit/Academia
$2,000: Private Sector/Industry/Other

Exhibit booth sales for our largest exhibit area in 10 years will open in early June at www.ctc.org. Look for our next e-mail, which will announce the opening of the exhibit booth sales, in a couple of weeks!

CONFERENCE WEBSITE: www.ctc.org

CAN FEDERAL INTERVENTION BRING LASTING IMPROVEMENT IN LOCAL POLICING?

Ten years ago, Congress gave the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department new powers to sue state and local governments in federal court to correct a “pattern or practice” of police misconduct. Both the Clinton and Bush administrations have used this new power several times: in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Detroit, the State of New Jersey, Steubenville, Ohio, and Prince Georges County, Maryland, among other jurisdictions.

In Pittsburgh—the first city to enter into a consent decree with the Justice Department— most provisions of the decree were lifted after the Bureau of Police was judged to be in substantial compliance. Pittsburgh, therefore, is the first place we can look to see how the police can satisfy the Justice Department and whether this new kind of federal intervention can make a lasting difference.

To answer those questions, Vera researchers have studied the Pittsburgh Police Bureau since 2001. Both before and after the decree for the Bureau was lifted in 2002, the researchers observed police in field and management settings, interviewed key officials and community leaders, conducted focus groups with police officers, surveyed citizens, reviewed the federal monitor’s reports, and conducted original analyses of police data. In
2003, researchers also surveyed more than 100 front-line officers.

The Vera researchers found that two key factors enabled the city quickly to comply with the terms of the decree: the leadership of a talented police chief and guidance from the federal monitor. The police implemented new systems to track the use of force, traffic stops, and searches; new procedures to hold officers accountable; and new policies and training. Despite recent financial strains, those reforms remain firmly in place today, and both community leaders and citizen surveys reflect significant improvements in service.

The research also reveals the importance of such intervention for minority officers. In Pittsburgh, black officers who quietly criticized how the Bureau operated previously, say they appreciate the new consistency in management. In these respects, Pittsburgh is a success story for local police management and for federal intervention. However, the researchers also found discontent among many front-line police officers and persistent concerns about police misconduct among a sizeable number of citizens. Both black and white officers in Pittsburgh say they believe that tighter management has made police less active and aggressive in fighting crime (although some performance data provided by the Bureau and our citizen survey do not support that belief). The public still lacks a role in the reform process, and citizens do not have access to police data that were given to the monitor under the decree.

There are strong signs a year after most of the decree has been lifted that federal intervention can encourage long-term improvements in police accountability. More engagement of citizens and greater participation of front-line officers might have made a good process even better.

READ ON
http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/mime/open.pdf?Item=1454

Quality-of-Life Policing: Do Offenders Get the Message?

In the 199Os, the New York City Police Department increased patrols and enforcement of laws against quality-of-life [QOL] offenses. Many have heralded this focus as the prime cause for the decline in the City’s crime rate citing the fixing broken windows argument that disorder breeds crime. However, the underlying mechanics of the broken windows paradigm have not yet been systematically explored. This paper assesses one aspect of the broken windows line of reasoning, that QOL policing sends a message to offenders that QOL misbehaviors will not be tolerated.

Responses fiom 539 New York City arrestees interviewed in 1999 indicate that almost all of them were aware that police were targeting various QOL offenses. Among those active in QOL misbehaviors, about half reported that they had seriously cut back or stopped their involvements in the past six month, and about half had not. Those reducing their involvement cited general police presence as the most important factor, suggesting that for them QOL policing had served as a general deterrent. This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

READ ON
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/196673.pdf