May 14, 2010 - A federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment against Jeremiah Jackson, 31, in connection with the April 6, 2010, robbery of the New Mexico Bank and Trust on Louisiana NE Albuquerque.
Jackson is accused of leading police officers on a high-speed pursuit after the robbery which ended in a fatal crash at Coors Road and Sequoia. Two Albuquerque women died from injuries sustained in the accident. The indictment charges Jackson with robbing the bank and with two counts of causing a death while fleeing or attempting to avoid apprehension in the wake of the robbery.
The case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Barth and Presiliano Torrez.
An indictment is only an accusation. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Showing posts with label police officers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label police officers. Show all posts
Friday, May 14, 2010
Monday, December 07, 2009
Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations
On December 17, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Vernon J. Geberth, NYPD (ret.) on Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations.
Program Date: December 17, 2009
Program Time: 1700 hours, Pacific
Topic: Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations
Listen Live: www.americanheroesradio.com/forensic_science_homicide_investigations.html
About the Guest
Vernon Geberth is a retired lieutenant-commander of the New York Police Department. As the commanding officer of the Bronx Homicide Task Force, his investigators handled more than four hundred murder investigations every year. Vernon Geberth is recipient of over sixty awards for bravery and exceptional work during twenty-three years of service. He has personally investigated, supervised, assessed, researched and consulted on over eight thousand homicides.
Vernon Geberth has master's degrees in both psychology and professional studies, is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy. Over the past twenty-five years, he has taught over 50,000 police officers his comprehensive course in Practical Homicide Investigation.
Geberth’s book, Practical Homicide Investigation has been referred to as the "Bible of Homicide." His subsequent works, “The Practical Homicide Investigation Checklist and Field Guide” and “Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives,” demonstrate his professional ability and subject matter expert command over homicide investigations. In addition to his own works Geberth has been an editor in over forty other textbooks. He has devoted his life to the study of murder and was the first law enforcement professional to devise standard guidelines and protocols for proficient death inquiries. Currently he is president of P.H.I. Investigative Consultants, Inc., a New York-based corporation that provides state-of-the-art instruction and consultation regarding homicide investigations to police officers.
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. American Heroes Radio brings you to the watering hole, where it is Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant 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; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety 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.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
www.americanheroesradio.com/forensic_science_homicide_investigations.html
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Program Date: December 17, 2009
Program Time: 1700 hours, Pacific
Topic: Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations
Listen Live: www.americanheroesradio.com/forensic_science_homicide_investigations.html
About the Guest
Vernon Geberth is a retired lieutenant-commander of the New York Police Department. As the commanding officer of the Bronx Homicide Task Force, his investigators handled more than four hundred murder investigations every year. Vernon Geberth is recipient of over sixty awards for bravery and exceptional work during twenty-three years of service. He has personally investigated, supervised, assessed, researched and consulted on over eight thousand homicides.
Vernon Geberth has master's degrees in both psychology and professional studies, is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy. Over the past twenty-five years, he has taught over 50,000 police officers his comprehensive course in Practical Homicide Investigation.
Geberth’s book, Practical Homicide Investigation has been referred to as the "Bible of Homicide." His subsequent works, “The Practical Homicide Investigation Checklist and Field Guide” and “Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives,” demonstrate his professional ability and subject matter expert command over homicide investigations. In addition to his own works Geberth has been an editor in over forty other textbooks. He has devoted his life to the study of murder and was the first law enforcement professional to devise standard guidelines and protocols for proficient death inquiries. Currently he is president of P.H.I. Investigative Consultants, Inc., a New York-based corporation that provides state-of-the-art instruction and consultation regarding homicide investigations to police officers.
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. American Heroes Radio brings you to the watering hole, where it is Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant 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; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety 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.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
www.americanheroesradio.com/forensic_science_homicide_investigations.html
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Quintin Peterson PSWA writing competition award winner
The Public Safety Writers Association (PSWA) held its annual conference at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 18-21, 2009. The annual conference is open to anyone writing crime and mystery fiction or non-fiction, technical writing for public safety magazines in print or online, or anyone interested in writing. On Sunday, June 21st, the winners of PSWA’s 2009 Writing Competition were announced at an award luncheon.
Crime fiction author Quintin Peterson, who has been a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC for almost 28 years, took 2nd Place in the Short-Story Published category for A Dark Place, the story of a serial killer and the D.C. homicide detective tasked to track him down. It is available exclusively from Amazon.com as an Amazon Short.
Quintin Peterson has been writing crime fiction for a number of years. He is the author of two novels, SIN and The Wages of SIN, and several short stories, one of which, Cold as Ice, is featured in the George Pelecanos edited crime fiction anthology, D.C. Noir. He is also a contributor to the anthology, Bad Cop, No Donut, edited John L. French, which is scheduled to be published in 2010.
When his award-winning A Dark Place was first published in November of 2006, many contemporary crime writers praised Peterson’s work.
“Quintin Peterson, a working police officer and natural born writer, pens crime fiction that is earned and alive.”
– George Pelecanos, author of THE NIGHT GARDENER and DRAMA CITY
"Quintin Peterson writes with authenticity and honesty won from years of being a street cop, and in his chilling A Dark Place, he takes readers past the boring CSI or 'profiling' of a serial killer to show us the heart and soul of the badges who bring such monsters to justice."
– James Grady, author of MAD DOGS and SIX DAYS OF THE CONDOR
“Quintin Peterson takes his readers into the dark places that only cops are compelled to enter. Then he shows them how such terrible access darkens the souls of those who enter too often. This dark, and well detailed, story is so real and so believable that it becomes a trip you won't soon forget.”
– Retired NYPD Lt. Ed Dee, author of THE CON MAN’S DAUGHTER and LITTLE BOY BLUE
“You want to know how it's done? Read Quintin Peterson's A DARK PLACE. Of all the crime writers out there, he's the one wearing the badge. He writes with a sure hand and is certain to please. Sit back and get chilled....”
– Ridley Pearson, author of CUT AND RUN and THE BODY OF DAVID HAYES
"A Dark Place is a chilling, expertly crafted thriller."
– Jim Patton, author of THE SHAKE and DYING FOR DANA
“With a serial killer who'll make your skin crawl, and a REAL inside look at how cops work by this talented Washington, D.C. cop/novelist, 'A Dark Place' is the latest from Quintin Peterson's fertile, rooted-in-reality mind. He's the real deal.”
– Donald Bain, author of the MURDER, SHE WROTE mystery series, his memoir Murder HE Wrote: A Successful Writer's Life, and the Amazon Shorts selection, Ronnie and Me
All winners of the various categories of the PSWA writing competition receive plaques or certificates and publicity and recognition via a wide variety of public safety-related publications.
Founded in 1997 as the Police Writers Club, the PSWA is open to both new and experienced, published and not yet published writers. Members include police officers, civilian police personnel, firefighters, fire support personnel, emergency personnel, security personnel and others in the public safety field. Also represented are those who write about public safety including mystery writers, magazine writers, journalists and those who are simply interested in the genre. The association also welcomes publishers, editors, agents and others who help writers realize their writing goals.
More Information
http://www.police-writers.com/peterson.html
Crime fiction author Quintin Peterson, who has been a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC for almost 28 years, took 2nd Place in the Short-Story Published category for A Dark Place, the story of a serial killer and the D.C. homicide detective tasked to track him down. It is available exclusively from Amazon.com as an Amazon Short.
Quintin Peterson has been writing crime fiction for a number of years. He is the author of two novels, SIN and The Wages of SIN, and several short stories, one of which, Cold as Ice, is featured in the George Pelecanos edited crime fiction anthology, D.C. Noir. He is also a contributor to the anthology, Bad Cop, No Donut, edited John L. French, which is scheduled to be published in 2010.
When his award-winning A Dark Place was first published in November of 2006, many contemporary crime writers praised Peterson’s work.
“Quintin Peterson, a working police officer and natural born writer, pens crime fiction that is earned and alive.”
– George Pelecanos, author of THE NIGHT GARDENER and DRAMA CITY
"Quintin Peterson writes with authenticity and honesty won from years of being a street cop, and in his chilling A Dark Place, he takes readers past the boring CSI or 'profiling' of a serial killer to show us the heart and soul of the badges who bring such monsters to justice."
– James Grady, author of MAD DOGS and SIX DAYS OF THE CONDOR
“Quintin Peterson takes his readers into the dark places that only cops are compelled to enter. Then he shows them how such terrible access darkens the souls of those who enter too often. This dark, and well detailed, story is so real and so believable that it becomes a trip you won't soon forget.”
– Retired NYPD Lt. Ed Dee, author of THE CON MAN’S DAUGHTER and LITTLE BOY BLUE
“You want to know how it's done? Read Quintin Peterson's A DARK PLACE. Of all the crime writers out there, he's the one wearing the badge. He writes with a sure hand and is certain to please. Sit back and get chilled....”
– Ridley Pearson, author of CUT AND RUN and THE BODY OF DAVID HAYES
"A Dark Place is a chilling, expertly crafted thriller."
– Jim Patton, author of THE SHAKE and DYING FOR DANA
“With a serial killer who'll make your skin crawl, and a REAL inside look at how cops work by this talented Washington, D.C. cop/novelist, 'A Dark Place' is the latest from Quintin Peterson's fertile, rooted-in-reality mind. He's the real deal.”
– Donald Bain, author of the MURDER, SHE WROTE mystery series, his memoir Murder HE Wrote: A Successful Writer's Life, and the Amazon Shorts selection, Ronnie and Me
All winners of the various categories of the PSWA writing competition receive plaques or certificates and publicity and recognition via a wide variety of public safety-related publications.
Founded in 1997 as the Police Writers Club, the PSWA is open to both new and experienced, published and not yet published writers. Members include police officers, civilian police personnel, firefighters, fire support personnel, emergency personnel, security personnel and others in the public safety field. Also represented are those who write about public safety including mystery writers, magazine writers, journalists and those who are simply interested in the genre. The association also welcomes publishers, editors, agents and others who help writers realize their writing goals.
More Information
http://www.police-writers.com/peterson.html
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Sawgrass
On February 27, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion Deputy Sheriff Alex J. McDonald, Broward County Sheriff’s Office (ret.) about his novel – Sawgrass.
Program Date: February 27, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Conversation with Sergeant Alex J. McDonald (ret.)
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/02/28/Sawgrass
About the Guest
Alex J. McDonald retired in June 2007 after thirty seven years in law enforcement. He began as a police cadet with Ft. Lauderdale Police Department, in 1970. In 1974, two weeks out of high school, he was hired by Davie Police Department. He was one of the first police officers hired in the State of Florida who was under the age of twenty-one. In 1976, he became a police officer for the Deerfield Beach Police Department; and, in 1982 began his career as a deputy sheriff with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (Florida).
During his career with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, he was a member of the Dignitary Protection team, a field training officer, lead defensive tactics instructor, firearms and driving instructor. An avid martial and competitive shooter, he has had numerous articles published in Police Marksman. Alex J. McDonald is the author of Sawgrass.
According to the book description of Sawgrass, “A missing cop is found dead in his car in an orange grove. Suicide or murder? The evidence points to murder but the bureaucrats want it to be suicide. Detective Sergeant Daniel Quinn is in charge of the investigation and sets out to prove murder. A second murder occurs and Quinn finds the two are connected. Quinn becomes embroiled in a drug smuggling investigation and is forced to battle politics, a smuggling group and even the DEA. All of this leads to a surprise ending.”
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant 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; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement 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.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/02/28/Sawgrass
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Program Date: February 27, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Conversation with Sergeant Alex J. McDonald (ret.)
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/02/28/Sawgrass
About the Guest
Alex J. McDonald retired in June 2007 after thirty seven years in law enforcement. He began as a police cadet with Ft. Lauderdale Police Department, in 1970. In 1974, two weeks out of high school, he was hired by Davie Police Department. He was one of the first police officers hired in the State of Florida who was under the age of twenty-one. In 1976, he became a police officer for the Deerfield Beach Police Department; and, in 1982 began his career as a deputy sheriff with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (Florida).
During his career with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, he was a member of the Dignitary Protection team, a field training officer, lead defensive tactics instructor, firearms and driving instructor. An avid martial and competitive shooter, he has had numerous articles published in Police Marksman. Alex J. McDonald is the author of Sawgrass.
According to the book description of Sawgrass, “A missing cop is found dead in his car in an orange grove. Suicide or murder? The evidence points to murder but the bureaucrats want it to be suicide. Detective Sergeant Daniel Quinn is in charge of the investigation and sets out to prove murder. A second murder occurs and Quinn finds the two are connected. Quinn becomes embroiled in a drug smuggling investigation and is forced to battle politics, a smuggling group and even the DEA. All of this leads to a surprise ending.”
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant 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; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement 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.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/02/28/Sawgrass
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The unique CCTV Camera Evaluation Service
For quite some time, it’s become increasingly obvious that vast numbers of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security cameras, are failing to produce any useful Evidential Quality video recordings, when required to assist with criminal investigations.
Time and again, both senior police officers and industry experts have revealed to the Press, the everyday problems facing investigators trying to recover poor quality images, often obtained from incorrectly installed and maintained surveillance cameras.
Now more than ever, with an increasing awareness of the absolutely vital role for CCTV, particularly in investigations involving serious crimes and terrorism, CCTV Operators really do need to take urgent steps to improve the effectiveness of their systems, to make sure they are truly “fit for purpose”.
October 1st 2008 saw the official launch of a unique new CCTV service called “VIPER”.
Designed to provide an easy, affordable expert assessment of security camera performance, the “Video Image Performance Evaluation Report” or VIPER, is now available to indicate how well an individual camera is performing as a vital evidential security tool.
UK based CCTV Advisor ‘Doktor Jon’, has introduced what is believed to be the first ever online service, that can actually provide CCTV Operators with an impartial and independent overview of precisely how their CCTV cameras are performing, and what technical issues may need to be addressed in order for the equipment to be able to provide useful and usable evidential quality images.
The service itself is very simple ... a CCTV User can forward an image captured from an individual surveillance camera (normally supplied as a JPEG file, sent as an e-mail attachment), and a resulting VIPER assessment will be produced to report on the cameras technical and operational capabilities in 38 key areas.
VIPER reports can be ordered up by CCTV users located anywhere around the globe, and in terms of built in client confidentiality, there is no requirement for either knowing the identity of the operator, or indeed the location of the camera. The evaluation is based purely on what is seen ‘on screen’, and so provides an exceptionally affordable, practical and secure solution, to an extremely common problem ... “how can I find out if my CCTV cameras are working well?”.
The first VIPER assessment is designed for fixed video surveillance cameras, and a number of additional VIPER evaluations are being developed for other types of CCTV, for example remote control Pan, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ) units.
Jon, the principle CCTV Advisor from the website doktorjon.co.uk has said that “Previously, cctv users have only been able to have their cameras performance evaluated independently, by employing the services of a specialist CCTV Consultant, and that can often prove to be very expensive. Now with the launch of VIPER, anyone can check whether their cameras are working well, and without breaking the bank”; -commenting on the importance of VIPER, he says “Law Enforcement Officers have long been complaining about the very poor quality of many CCTV recordings; from the extremely positive comments received to date, this looks like exactly what’s needed to help raise the performance, suitability and effectiveness of vital Forensic Surveillance evidence”.
More information at http://www.doktorjon.co.uk/cctvimage.html
or e-mail to:- viper[at]doktorjon.co.uk
Notes for Editors:- Doktor Jon is a UK based specialist CCTV Advisor working in the Industry since 1978. In June 2004, he launched his personal website project at http://www.doktorjon.co.uk , which has since grown into a unique site with almost 1,600 pages of information and advice on all aspects of “The Use and Application of CCTV”; to date it has attracted nearly two and a half million hits, and visitors from 141 countries.
Time and again, both senior police officers and industry experts have revealed to the Press, the everyday problems facing investigators trying to recover poor quality images, often obtained from incorrectly installed and maintained surveillance cameras.
Now more than ever, with an increasing awareness of the absolutely vital role for CCTV, particularly in investigations involving serious crimes and terrorism, CCTV Operators really do need to take urgent steps to improve the effectiveness of their systems, to make sure they are truly “fit for purpose”.
October 1st 2008 saw the official launch of a unique new CCTV service called “VIPER”.
Designed to provide an easy, affordable expert assessment of security camera performance, the “Video Image Performance Evaluation Report” or VIPER, is now available to indicate how well an individual camera is performing as a vital evidential security tool.
UK based CCTV Advisor ‘Doktor Jon’, has introduced what is believed to be the first ever online service, that can actually provide CCTV Operators with an impartial and independent overview of precisely how their CCTV cameras are performing, and what technical issues may need to be addressed in order for the equipment to be able to provide useful and usable evidential quality images.
The service itself is very simple ... a CCTV User can forward an image captured from an individual surveillance camera (normally supplied as a JPEG file, sent as an e-mail attachment), and a resulting VIPER assessment will be produced to report on the cameras technical and operational capabilities in 38 key areas.
VIPER reports can be ordered up by CCTV users located anywhere around the globe, and in terms of built in client confidentiality, there is no requirement for either knowing the identity of the operator, or indeed the location of the camera. The evaluation is based purely on what is seen ‘on screen’, and so provides an exceptionally affordable, practical and secure solution, to an extremely common problem ... “how can I find out if my CCTV cameras are working well?”.
The first VIPER assessment is designed for fixed video surveillance cameras, and a number of additional VIPER evaluations are being developed for other types of CCTV, for example remote control Pan, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ) units.
Jon, the principle CCTV Advisor from the website doktorjon.co.uk has said that “Previously, cctv users have only been able to have their cameras performance evaluated independently, by employing the services of a specialist CCTV Consultant, and that can often prove to be very expensive. Now with the launch of VIPER, anyone can check whether their cameras are working well, and without breaking the bank”; -commenting on the importance of VIPER, he says “Law Enforcement Officers have long been complaining about the very poor quality of many CCTV recordings; from the extremely positive comments received to date, this looks like exactly what’s needed to help raise the performance, suitability and effectiveness of vital Forensic Surveillance evidence”.
More information at http://www.doktorjon.co.uk/cctvimage.html
or e-mail to:- viper[at]doktorjon.co.uk
Notes for Editors:- Doktor Jon is a UK based specialist CCTV Advisor working in the Industry since 1978. In June 2004, he launched his personal website project at http://www.doktorjon.co.uk , which has since grown into a unique site with almost 1,600 pages of information and advice on all aspects of “The Use and Application of CCTV”; to date it has attracted nearly two and a half million hits, and visitors from 141 countries.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Partnership to Help Army Reserve, D.C. Police Share Same Talent Pool
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - The adage, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," got a new twist today as the Army Reserve and the Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia signed a partnership deal so they can recruit, hire and train people for both organizations. MPDC became the first law enforcement agency to partner with the Army Reserve in a unique arrangement that Army Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, called a win-win for the military as well as the police. Instead of competing for the same talent pool, they can now join forces to fill their ranks and train their members.
The agreement, signed at the Metropolitan Police Academy here, enables Army Reserve recruiters to refer recruits signing on as military police or active-duty military police joining the Army Reserve for civilian jobs with the MPDC. Similarly, the police department can refer its members for Army Reserve jobs.
The arrangement will enable the two organizations to help each other fill critical shortages while also taking advantage of the training and experience base both provide their members, Stultz said.
Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, noted today that the Army Reserve and MPDC are looking for recruits with many of the same attributes. Both want honest, drug-free members who know how to lead as well as follow and love their country and communities, he said.
Army 1st Sgt. Ryan Ervin of the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., also an MPDC officer, said the Metropolitan Police Department and Army Reserve both stand to benefit from sharing the professional, career-minded and goal-oriented recruits each attracts. Army experience gives police recruits an ability to think on their feet, work within a command structure and show flexibility when it's needed, he said.
Meanwhile, Stultz said, civilian police experience brings strong negotiating, interrogation and crime scene investigation skills to the Army Reserve.
The MPDC partnership is the Army Reserve's fifth so far, but about 50 others are in the works and nearly 150 additional employers have expressed interest in forming one.
What makes the concept so popular, even in the face of reserve deployments, is that it helps employers realize the upside of hiring Army Reservists, Stultz said. "Don't look at the Reserve as a drain on your force. Look at it as a value added," he said he tells employers.
As the long list of employers considering new partnerships grows, it's evident that employers already recognize the attributes Army Reservists bring to their work force, said Army Col. Dianna Cleven, an Office of the Army Reserve director. The advantage of partnerships, she said, is that it provides a formal structure so employers can find and tap into the Army Reserve's talent base while also providing an avenue for Army Reservists to link up with potential employers.
"It's a mechanism to link reservists looking for jobs in specific skills," Cleven said. "We're providing that mechanism through these partnerships that helps them connect the dots."
The MPDC, which needs to recruit about 350 police officers a year, sees the Army Reserve as a prime recruiting ground, Assistant Chief Joshua Ederheimer said during today's partnership signing ceremony at the Metropolitan Police Academy. He noted that the two organizations share a cultural ethos of service and sacrifice, with their members understanding and accepting personal risk to protect their fellow citizens.
Meanwhile, because the Army Reserve provides 93 percent of the Army's total military police force, its members who report for duty with the MPDC arrive with extensive military police training already under their belts.
Some arrive after active-duty assignments in military police units. Others are new recruits who attend basic training, then advanced individual training in military police skills before reporting to their Army Reserve units and starting their civilian careers.
"By that time, he is not just a high school graduate. Now he is a soldier," Stultz said. "He's got discipline. He's got leadership. He's got a work ethic and he's had training. Then (MPDC) can take him and develop him further."
MPDC Chief Cathy Lanier called the new partnership "a very significant and important step for us" that will help her department recruit and retain the high-skilled work force it it needs. "It will help make our force stronger and our city safer," she said.
Lanier can look within her own force for a glimpse into what the new partnership will offer. One of her officers, Greg Naguerka, arrived at the Metropolitan Police Academy in 2005 with seven years of military police experience that he said gave him a big leg up over his fellow police cadets.
Now an Army Reserve staff sergeant with the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., Nagurerka said his Army experience made him mentally prepared and physically fit for his police training and provided a strong foundation for his police career.
Army Sgt. Scott Dignan served with the MPDC for six years before joining the Army Reserve 12 years ago, and said the military has trained and tested him in ways that have boosted his civilian career.
"It has opened my eyes to a whole different way of leading and has been a true asset to me," said Dignan, now a lieutenant with the Metropolitan Police Department. "Between the leadership training and the deployments, it has taught me a lot about myself and given me experience that's been invaluable."
Stultz called today's signing ceremony a big day not just for the Army Reserve, but for the Army as a whole, which counts on its citizen-soldiers to sustain the all-volunteer force. To do that, he said, the Army Reserve needs to work cooperatively with civilian employers.
"A number of employers out there are saying that this is a great idea," and a way to attract everything from truck drivers to medical technologists to engineers to law enforcement officers to their work forces. "You name it, we've got it," Stultz said. "Partnerships help provide the conduit."
American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - The adage, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," got a new twist today as the Army Reserve and the Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia signed a partnership deal so they can recruit, hire and train people for both organizations. MPDC became the first law enforcement agency to partner with the Army Reserve in a unique arrangement that Army Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, called a win-win for the military as well as the police. Instead of competing for the same talent pool, they can now join forces to fill their ranks and train their members.
The agreement, signed at the Metropolitan Police Academy here, enables Army Reserve recruiters to refer recruits signing on as military police or active-duty military police joining the Army Reserve for civilian jobs with the MPDC. Similarly, the police department can refer its members for Army Reserve jobs.
The arrangement will enable the two organizations to help each other fill critical shortages while also taking advantage of the training and experience base both provide their members, Stultz said.
Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, noted today that the Army Reserve and MPDC are looking for recruits with many of the same attributes. Both want honest, drug-free members who know how to lead as well as follow and love their country and communities, he said.
Army 1st Sgt. Ryan Ervin of the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., also an MPDC officer, said the Metropolitan Police Department and Army Reserve both stand to benefit from sharing the professional, career-minded and goal-oriented recruits each attracts. Army experience gives police recruits an ability to think on their feet, work within a command structure and show flexibility when it's needed, he said.
Meanwhile, Stultz said, civilian police experience brings strong negotiating, interrogation and crime scene investigation skills to the Army Reserve.
The MPDC partnership is the Army Reserve's fifth so far, but about 50 others are in the works and nearly 150 additional employers have expressed interest in forming one.
What makes the concept so popular, even in the face of reserve deployments, is that it helps employers realize the upside of hiring Army Reservists, Stultz said. "Don't look at the Reserve as a drain on your force. Look at it as a value added," he said he tells employers.
As the long list of employers considering new partnerships grows, it's evident that employers already recognize the attributes Army Reservists bring to their work force, said Army Col. Dianna Cleven, an Office of the Army Reserve director. The advantage of partnerships, she said, is that it provides a formal structure so employers can find and tap into the Army Reserve's talent base while also providing an avenue for Army Reservists to link up with potential employers.
"It's a mechanism to link reservists looking for jobs in specific skills," Cleven said. "We're providing that mechanism through these partnerships that helps them connect the dots."
The MPDC, which needs to recruit about 350 police officers a year, sees the Army Reserve as a prime recruiting ground, Assistant Chief Joshua Ederheimer said during today's partnership signing ceremony at the Metropolitan Police Academy. He noted that the two organizations share a cultural ethos of service and sacrifice, with their members understanding and accepting personal risk to protect their fellow citizens.
Meanwhile, because the Army Reserve provides 93 percent of the Army's total military police force, its members who report for duty with the MPDC arrive with extensive military police training already under their belts.
Some arrive after active-duty assignments in military police units. Others are new recruits who attend basic training, then advanced individual training in military police skills before reporting to their Army Reserve units and starting their civilian careers.
"By that time, he is not just a high school graduate. Now he is a soldier," Stultz said. "He's got discipline. He's got leadership. He's got a work ethic and he's had training. Then (MPDC) can take him and develop him further."
MPDC Chief Cathy Lanier called the new partnership "a very significant and important step for us" that will help her department recruit and retain the high-skilled work force it it needs. "It will help make our force stronger and our city safer," she said.
Lanier can look within her own force for a glimpse into what the new partnership will offer. One of her officers, Greg Naguerka, arrived at the Metropolitan Police Academy in 2005 with seven years of military police experience that he said gave him a big leg up over his fellow police cadets.
Now an Army Reserve staff sergeant with the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., Nagurerka said his Army experience made him mentally prepared and physically fit for his police training and provided a strong foundation for his police career.
Army Sgt. Scott Dignan served with the MPDC for six years before joining the Army Reserve 12 years ago, and said the military has trained and tested him in ways that have boosted his civilian career.
"It has opened my eyes to a whole different way of leading and has been a true asset to me," said Dignan, now a lieutenant with the Metropolitan Police Department. "Between the leadership training and the deployments, it has taught me a lot about myself and given me experience that's been invaluable."
Stultz called today's signing ceremony a big day not just for the Army Reserve, but for the Army as a whole, which counts on its citizen-soldiers to sustain the all-volunteer force. To do that, he said, the Army Reserve needs to work cooperatively with civilian employers.
"A number of employers out there are saying that this is a great idea," and a way to attract everything from truck drivers to medical technologists to engineers to law enforcement officers to their work forces. "You name it, we've got it," Stultz said. "Partnerships help provide the conduit."
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
The Shang Pirate Legacy
July 8, 2008, (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. Jerry Ardolino, a former Chicago Police Department police officer, will be signing copies of his latest book: The Shang Pirate Legacy.
Date: July 19 and 20, 2008
Time: 1PM to 4PM
Location: Borders Book Store, 10950 Charleston Road, Las Vegas, NV
The Shang Pirate Legacy is a historically based action-thriller. It is the first novel written about the Chinese Pirate ship Ning Po and her Triad Pirate crew whose descendents are 21st Century, Asian Triad Gangsters. According to the book description, “If you love pirates; high-tech suspense; realistic action and a complex yet thrilling plot along with subplots, twists and turns - you’ll love The Shang Pirate Legacy.”
Because of its historical accuracy and research, The Shang Pirate Legacy is in the permanent library collections of The Catalina Island Museum; The Los Angeles Maritime Museum; Newport Harbor Nautical Museum and in the J. Porter Shaw Library collection at The San Francisco Maritime National Park.
Jerry Ardolino’s first book, Extreme Cop: Chicago PD “is the true story of Jerry Ardolino, the wildest, most violent cop in the history of the Chicago Police Department and that would mean: in the history of the world. Jerry Ardolino is the book’s author and it is the first true, full-length on-going story about the Chicago Police written by an insider. It has never been done before. Jerry Ardolino was a star-carrying member of that horde of hard-edged cops; the largest and deadliest “gang” in Chicago or anyplace else. The gang in midnight-blue leather police jackets who had the tools and the talent that enabled them to become known throughout the world, as the most violent, corrupt, out-of-control and; toughest police force ever to stalk the streets.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 1025 police officers (representing 431 police departments) and their 2182 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.
Date: July 19 and 20, 2008
Time: 1PM to 4PM
Location: Borders Book Store, 10950 Charleston Road, Las Vegas, NV
The Shang Pirate Legacy is a historically based action-thriller. It is the first novel written about the Chinese Pirate ship Ning Po and her Triad Pirate crew whose descendents are 21st Century, Asian Triad Gangsters. According to the book description, “If you love pirates; high-tech suspense; realistic action and a complex yet thrilling plot along with subplots, twists and turns - you’ll love The Shang Pirate Legacy.”
Because of its historical accuracy and research, The Shang Pirate Legacy is in the permanent library collections of The Catalina Island Museum; The Los Angeles Maritime Museum; Newport Harbor Nautical Museum and in the J. Porter Shaw Library collection at The San Francisco Maritime National Park.
Jerry Ardolino’s first book, Extreme Cop: Chicago PD “is the true story of Jerry Ardolino, the wildest, most violent cop in the history of the Chicago Police Department and that would mean: in the history of the world. Jerry Ardolino is the book’s author and it is the first true, full-length on-going story about the Chicago Police written by an insider. It has never been done before. Jerry Ardolino was a star-carrying member of that horde of hard-edged cops; the largest and deadliest “gang” in Chicago or anyplace else. The gang in midnight-blue leather police jackets who had the tools and the talent that enabled them to become known throughout the world, as the most violent, corrupt, out-of-control and; toughest police force ever to stalk the streets.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 1025 police officers (representing 431 police departments) and their 2182 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.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Afghan National Police Training Continues Despite Obstacles
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 13, 2008 - Surrounded by Afghan National Police, the U.S. Army staff sergeant moved the water-bottle caps around in the dirt, as if on a checkerboard. But, there was no board, and this was no game. It was training. With different obstacles facing the trainers at Forward Operating Base Scorpion, unconventional methods of training are common. The language barrier may seem to limit the training, but the trainers and mentors are committed to mission execution, no matter what the means.
Army Staff Sgt. James Parks, a police mentor team member from Buffalo, N.Y., uses the bottle caps to demonstrate a wedge formation, a type of patrolling technique. That day, his group was working on the "rush and roll," the "low crawl," and other basic combat reactions under fire. This training usually is for soldiers; however, due to the counterinsurgency environment, the Afghan National Police need these skills to survive and defeat the enemy.
"We train them in basic combat skills so they can stay alive out there," Parks said. "It seems basic to us, but it's stuff that they just don't know to do when there is enemy contact."
The majority of the police training at the Regional Training Center in Kandahar is Afghan-led, but the three American and three coalition mentors work with Afghan police commanders and trainers to coach and advise the new recruits on basic combat skills.
"The language barrier is the biggest obstacle we face," Parks said.
Just like the bottle caps, the U.S. mentor team used colored blocks to demonstrate how to clear a building. They assigned colored blocks to each police officer on the clearing team and set corresponding colored blocks on the inside of the building. That way, the police would know by looking at the colored blocks where they needed to position themselves once inside the building.
Once the police officers finish the eight-week course at the RTC, they are sent out to districts in southern Afghanistan. But their training doesn't stop once they're in the field.
Regional Police Advisory Command South, with headquarters at FOB Scorpion, acts as a command post for several police mentor teams spread out through Afghanistan's southern districts. Nearly 10,000 ANP officers work in the field, and the mentor teams travel from district to district to train, advise and mentor the police.
Army Col. John Cuddy, Regional Police Advisory Command South commander, oversees training for the RTC and the police mentor teams.
"The mentors and the PMTs are the front-runners of our mission here," he said. "It's amazing what these men are doing with what they have."
Cuddy said the mentor teams visit the district police after they have left the regional training center and ensure they sustained those skills learned during training and are conducting their basic function as police officers: to serve and protect. The PMTs also ensure the police are getting paid and fed.
"If the ANP aren't paid, they go AWOL. If they aren't armed, they get killed in the night," he said.
Cuddy said reports of real progress come from the districts.
"We are getting feedback that the Taliban doesn't recognize the ANP they fight now," he said. "The ANP are starting to fight back. Before, they didn't have the training in basic fighting or survival skills, so they would surrender or run."
Afghan Brig. Gen. Nassurullah Zarifi, commander of the Afghan National Police Kandahar Regional Training Center, has more than 35 years of experience, including time with the Afghan National Army. He worked for 16 years as an instructor in the ANA before he was transferred to the RTC.
"We have 350 students here, but not enough instructors. The American and coalition instructors help us to educate our people," he said. "While they are here, my instructors, deputies and myself work hard to ensure the students are trained properly and will do their job correctly when they leave the RTC to go to their communities."
He said he receives positive feedback from the provinces about the police who graduated from the eight-week training program at the RTC.
"They are happy to have the new ANPs in their community," Zarifi said. "This is a long process, not a short-term answer. We are working on the security for the future of Afghanistan."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio serves with Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Public Affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 13, 2008 - Surrounded by Afghan National Police, the U.S. Army staff sergeant moved the water-bottle caps around in the dirt, as if on a checkerboard. But, there was no board, and this was no game. It was training. With different obstacles facing the trainers at Forward Operating Base Scorpion, unconventional methods of training are common. The language barrier may seem to limit the training, but the trainers and mentors are committed to mission execution, no matter what the means.
Army Staff Sgt. James Parks, a police mentor team member from Buffalo, N.Y., uses the bottle caps to demonstrate a wedge formation, a type of patrolling technique. That day, his group was working on the "rush and roll," the "low crawl," and other basic combat reactions under fire. This training usually is for soldiers; however, due to the counterinsurgency environment, the Afghan National Police need these skills to survive and defeat the enemy.
"We train them in basic combat skills so they can stay alive out there," Parks said. "It seems basic to us, but it's stuff that they just don't know to do when there is enemy contact."
The majority of the police training at the Regional Training Center in Kandahar is Afghan-led, but the three American and three coalition mentors work with Afghan police commanders and trainers to coach and advise the new recruits on basic combat skills.
"The language barrier is the biggest obstacle we face," Parks said.
Just like the bottle caps, the U.S. mentor team used colored blocks to demonstrate how to clear a building. They assigned colored blocks to each police officer on the clearing team and set corresponding colored blocks on the inside of the building. That way, the police would know by looking at the colored blocks where they needed to position themselves once inside the building.
Once the police officers finish the eight-week course at the RTC, they are sent out to districts in southern Afghanistan. But their training doesn't stop once they're in the field.
Regional Police Advisory Command South, with headquarters at FOB Scorpion, acts as a command post for several police mentor teams spread out through Afghanistan's southern districts. Nearly 10,000 ANP officers work in the field, and the mentor teams travel from district to district to train, advise and mentor the police.
Army Col. John Cuddy, Regional Police Advisory Command South commander, oversees training for the RTC and the police mentor teams.
"The mentors and the PMTs are the front-runners of our mission here," he said. "It's amazing what these men are doing with what they have."
Cuddy said the mentor teams visit the district police after they have left the regional training center and ensure they sustained those skills learned during training and are conducting their basic function as police officers: to serve and protect. The PMTs also ensure the police are getting paid and fed.
"If the ANP aren't paid, they go AWOL. If they aren't armed, they get killed in the night," he said.
Cuddy said reports of real progress come from the districts.
"We are getting feedback that the Taliban doesn't recognize the ANP they fight now," he said. "The ANP are starting to fight back. Before, they didn't have the training in basic fighting or survival skills, so they would surrender or run."
Afghan Brig. Gen. Nassurullah Zarifi, commander of the Afghan National Police Kandahar Regional Training Center, has more than 35 years of experience, including time with the Afghan National Army. He worked for 16 years as an instructor in the ANA before he was transferred to the RTC.
"We have 350 students here, but not enough instructors. The American and coalition instructors help us to educate our people," he said. "While they are here, my instructors, deputies and myself work hard to ensure the students are trained properly and will do their job correctly when they leave the RTC to go to their communities."
He said he receives positive feedback from the provinces about the police who graduated from the eight-week training program at the RTC.
"They are happy to have the new ANPs in their community," Zarifi said. "This is a long process, not a short-term answer. We are working on the security for the future of Afghanistan."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio serves with Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Public Affairs.)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Public Safety Technology in the News
SmartBadge Techs Up U.S. Police
iTnews, (05/13/2008), Liz Tay
A new type of police officers' badge will include a camera, Bluetooth technology, global positioning system technology, and radio, with possible future upgrades to include facial recognition for cross-checking motorists' licenses against police database records. Its developers have dubbed it the "SmartBadge" and hope that the tool will appeal to the law enforcement community because of the low cost, off-the-shelf technology. The tool was designed with foot patrol officers in mind to provide them access to the types of tools often available in cruisers that can make their jobs easier. The Albany, New York, police will be involved in testing this tool in late 2008.
www.itnews.com.au/News/75917,smartbadge-techs-up-us-police.aspx
Prisons Use RFID Systems To Track Inmates
Government Technology, (05/07/2008), Jim McKay
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which is used extensively by retail establishments and other commercial businesses, is now being used by developed for use in correctional facilities to track inmates and staff and to prevent problems before they occur. Facilities in states such as California, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Minnesota have implemented RFID inmate tracking systems. The use of RFID provides an added level of security to facilities, allowing staff to know where everyone inside the RF perimeter is at any time. Also, having this level of tracking and identification within a facility allows staff to keep known members of rival gangs away from each other. Furthermore, the system's capabilities can be used to expedite investigations involving inmates or staff by identifying individuals in the area at the time of an incident.
www.govtech.com/gt/312938
Online Maps Plot Crime in Dalton
Chattanooga Times/Free Press, (05/07/2008), Ryan Harris
Tyrone, Georgia, was a police department that used pushpins on a city map to plot criminal activity in its jurisdiction, but as of October 2007, the agency began using CrimeReports.org to plot that information. This change allows the agency to share the pushpin map with citizens of the community. The CrimeReports.org site allows users to register for e-mail alerts regarding crime activity in their area and to use the Google Maps feature to see visually where crimes are taking place. The city of Dalton, Georgia, joined the service last month at a cost of $100 per month; jurisdictions larger than 50,000 will be charged $200 per month. The service allows agencies to keep their citizenry involved and informed as to things happening in the city and it may allow citizens to help the police solve more crimes.
www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1375007/online_maps_plot_crime_in_dalton/
Sypherlink Introduces Out-of-the-Box Enhancement to Its NIE Gateway Solution for Law Enforcement; NIEM Harmonizer Enables Quick, Cost-Effective Data Sharing and NIEM Standards Conformance
FoxBusiness, (05/05/2008), Business Wire
Sypherlink, creator of the National Information Exchange (NIE) Gateway solution for law enforcement, has developed the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) Harmonizer, an off-the-shelf enhancement to the original product. This add-on will expedite the sharing of vital information in accordance with the NIEM standard. The Harmonizer will work behind the scenes to automate the sharing and conversion of data, which will allow agency staff and vendors to focus on their day-to-day tasks.
www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/technology/sypherlink-introduces-box-enhancement-nie-gateway-solution-law-enforcement-niem/#
NYPD Plans Surveillance Data Network
Byte and Switch, (05/07/2008), James Rogers
In support of the New York Police Department's Lower Manhattan Security Initiative (LMSI), the agency is anticipating a massive storage upgrade to capture and carry streaming video from the area. The project will cover Manhattan's financial institutions such as Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, as well as Ground Zero and city hall. Cameras will be deployed on roughly 1,000 buildings in the area and an undisclosed number of police cruisers. The LMSI system will handle the feeds from these locations, as well as from NYPD's Real Time Crime Center and other cruisers from around the city. This project will also involve the creation of two data centers, facial recognition software, and the use of Microsoft's Virtual Earth. Another aspect of LMSI is the installation of satellite dishes on all police precincts to ensure communications and network capabilities in the event of a flood or other natural disaster.
www.byteandswitch.com/document.asp?doc_id=153218&WT.svl=news1_1
Norwalk Police To Examine Gunshot Detection Device
Greenwich Time, (05/11/2008), John Nickerson
To reduce and better investigate an increasing amount of reports regarding shots fired in the city, the Norwalk Police Department is considering the acquisition of gunshot location/detection technology. It is hoped that the technology, if proven to be applicable in Norwalk, will help the department respond more quickly to shots fired calls, which have recently increased to three to four calls a week. Presently, officers respond to these calls by starting at the origin of the complaint and working out from that point. With this technology, they hope to be able to focus their investigations more accurately on the location of the shots.
www.greenwichtime.com/ci_9221947
How Can CCTV Spot Suspects by Clothing Logos?
BBC News Magazine, (05/07/2008)
The vast and established network of video surveillance used in the United Kingdom means the odds of committing a crime and not being caught on tape either before, during, or after the fact are very low. However, capturing a clear image of a perpetrator's face is not always guaranteed in spite of the amount of surveillance being used. But, thanks to software used by the sponsors of sporting events to track the visibility of their brand during television coverage of an event, police may be able to increase the odds of conviction in instances where the perpetrator's identity is obscured. For example, a crime is committed by an individual wearing clothing that has the Adidas logo on it. A still image of that individual is provided to the software to begin the search. The software searches police data and images from other cameras located near the crime scene for a match to that logo image, which could in turn result in a better image of the individual's face. The advantage fo! r law enforcement is a reduction in time spent manually viewing footage hoping for a hit.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7386337.stm
Police, Fire Departments Making the Upgrade
Abilene Reporter-News, (04/28/2008), Celinda Emison
Governor Rick Perry recently handed down the Texas Radio Communications Interoperability Plan, which orders all counties and cities to have communications equipment capable of interoperability by 2015. Counties and cities that are part of the West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) have for the past 5 years been making use of grant funds to improve out-of-date systems; improve interoperability between police, fire and emergency services; and purchase equipment capable of regional usage in the event of a disaster. A needs assessment study conducted in 2001 identified $93 million in equipment needs, and from 2002 to 2007, $10 million in grant funds have been expended to update and improve systems. However, the biggest hurdle remains outdated analog equipment, which agencies have been urged to update to digital. For the 19 counties that make up the WCTCOG, communications issues remain a top priority.
www.reporternews.com/news/2008/apr/28/police-fire-departments-are-making-the-upgrade/
City to Remove 'Blue Light' Crime Cameras
Baltimore Sun, (05/16/2008), John Fritze
The Baltimore City Police Department will soon begin replacing 102 of its 454 closed circuit street surveillance cameras. The 102 portable overt digital surveillance system "pods" were installed in 2005; the technology has become outdated, and the manpower needed to render them effective deemed too significant. The city uses other cameras tied to a system that can be monitored at central location; however, the pods must be monitored on location using a laptop-style controller. The pods, by design, were meant to be seen and that visibility meant to contribute to their deterrent value. The city of Chicago is also making plans to replace this type of unit as part of an effort to have all of its cameras networked to a central location.
www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.cameras16may16,0,2866474.story
Local Law Enforcement Tap into LInX
WHQR, (05/13/2008), Peter Biello
Twenty agencies in North Carolina, including the Wilmington Police Department and sheriff's offices in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Onslow, have joined the Law Enforcement Information Exchange (LInX) initiative. The project, initiated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), has been established in nine regions nationally and is allowing officers from 20 North Carolina agencies access to that information network. Program Manager Brian Stampe likened the network to "Google for police officers." Agencies can use the network to search for potential leads in other agencies' information databases.
www.publicbroadcasting.net/whqr/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1277210§ionID=1
iTnews, (05/13/2008), Liz Tay
A new type of police officers' badge will include a camera, Bluetooth technology, global positioning system technology, and radio, with possible future upgrades to include facial recognition for cross-checking motorists' licenses against police database records. Its developers have dubbed it the "SmartBadge" and hope that the tool will appeal to the law enforcement community because of the low cost, off-the-shelf technology. The tool was designed with foot patrol officers in mind to provide them access to the types of tools often available in cruisers that can make their jobs easier. The Albany, New York, police will be involved in testing this tool in late 2008.
www.itnews.com.au/News/75917,smartbadge-techs-up-us-police.aspx
Prisons Use RFID Systems To Track Inmates
Government Technology, (05/07/2008), Jim McKay
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which is used extensively by retail establishments and other commercial businesses, is now being used by developed for use in correctional facilities to track inmates and staff and to prevent problems before they occur. Facilities in states such as California, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Minnesota have implemented RFID inmate tracking systems. The use of RFID provides an added level of security to facilities, allowing staff to know where everyone inside the RF perimeter is at any time. Also, having this level of tracking and identification within a facility allows staff to keep known members of rival gangs away from each other. Furthermore, the system's capabilities can be used to expedite investigations involving inmates or staff by identifying individuals in the area at the time of an incident.
www.govtech.com/gt/312938
Online Maps Plot Crime in Dalton
Chattanooga Times/Free Press, (05/07/2008), Ryan Harris
Tyrone, Georgia, was a police department that used pushpins on a city map to plot criminal activity in its jurisdiction, but as of October 2007, the agency began using CrimeReports.org to plot that information. This change allows the agency to share the pushpin map with citizens of the community. The CrimeReports.org site allows users to register for e-mail alerts regarding crime activity in their area and to use the Google Maps feature to see visually where crimes are taking place. The city of Dalton, Georgia, joined the service last month at a cost of $100 per month; jurisdictions larger than 50,000 will be charged $200 per month. The service allows agencies to keep their citizenry involved and informed as to things happening in the city and it may allow citizens to help the police solve more crimes.
www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1375007/online_maps_plot_crime_in_dalton/
Sypherlink Introduces Out-of-the-Box Enhancement to Its NIE Gateway Solution for Law Enforcement; NIEM Harmonizer Enables Quick, Cost-Effective Data Sharing and NIEM Standards Conformance
FoxBusiness, (05/05/2008), Business Wire
Sypherlink, creator of the National Information Exchange (NIE) Gateway solution for law enforcement, has developed the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) Harmonizer, an off-the-shelf enhancement to the original product. This add-on will expedite the sharing of vital information in accordance with the NIEM standard. The Harmonizer will work behind the scenes to automate the sharing and conversion of data, which will allow agency staff and vendors to focus on their day-to-day tasks.
www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/technology/sypherlink-introduces-box-enhancement-nie-gateway-solution-law-enforcement-niem/#
NYPD Plans Surveillance Data Network
Byte and Switch, (05/07/2008), James Rogers
In support of the New York Police Department's Lower Manhattan Security Initiative (LMSI), the agency is anticipating a massive storage upgrade to capture and carry streaming video from the area. The project will cover Manhattan's financial institutions such as Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, as well as Ground Zero and city hall. Cameras will be deployed on roughly 1,000 buildings in the area and an undisclosed number of police cruisers. The LMSI system will handle the feeds from these locations, as well as from NYPD's Real Time Crime Center and other cruisers from around the city. This project will also involve the creation of two data centers, facial recognition software, and the use of Microsoft's Virtual Earth. Another aspect of LMSI is the installation of satellite dishes on all police precincts to ensure communications and network capabilities in the event of a flood or other natural disaster.
www.byteandswitch.com/document.asp?doc_id=153218&WT.svl=news1_1
Norwalk Police To Examine Gunshot Detection Device
Greenwich Time, (05/11/2008), John Nickerson
To reduce and better investigate an increasing amount of reports regarding shots fired in the city, the Norwalk Police Department is considering the acquisition of gunshot location/detection technology. It is hoped that the technology, if proven to be applicable in Norwalk, will help the department respond more quickly to shots fired calls, which have recently increased to three to four calls a week. Presently, officers respond to these calls by starting at the origin of the complaint and working out from that point. With this technology, they hope to be able to focus their investigations more accurately on the location of the shots.
www.greenwichtime.com/ci_9221947
How Can CCTV Spot Suspects by Clothing Logos?
BBC News Magazine, (05/07/2008)
The vast and established network of video surveillance used in the United Kingdom means the odds of committing a crime and not being caught on tape either before, during, or after the fact are very low. However, capturing a clear image of a perpetrator's face is not always guaranteed in spite of the amount of surveillance being used. But, thanks to software used by the sponsors of sporting events to track the visibility of their brand during television coverage of an event, police may be able to increase the odds of conviction in instances where the perpetrator's identity is obscured. For example, a crime is committed by an individual wearing clothing that has the Adidas logo on it. A still image of that individual is provided to the software to begin the search. The software searches police data and images from other cameras located near the crime scene for a match to that logo image, which could in turn result in a better image of the individual's face. The advantage fo! r law enforcement is a reduction in time spent manually viewing footage hoping for a hit.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7386337.stm
Police, Fire Departments Making the Upgrade
Abilene Reporter-News, (04/28/2008), Celinda Emison
Governor Rick Perry recently handed down the Texas Radio Communications Interoperability Plan, which orders all counties and cities to have communications equipment capable of interoperability by 2015. Counties and cities that are part of the West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) have for the past 5 years been making use of grant funds to improve out-of-date systems; improve interoperability between police, fire and emergency services; and purchase equipment capable of regional usage in the event of a disaster. A needs assessment study conducted in 2001 identified $93 million in equipment needs, and from 2002 to 2007, $10 million in grant funds have been expended to update and improve systems. However, the biggest hurdle remains outdated analog equipment, which agencies have been urged to update to digital. For the 19 counties that make up the WCTCOG, communications issues remain a top priority.
www.reporternews.com/news/2008/apr/28/police-fire-departments-are-making-the-upgrade/
City to Remove 'Blue Light' Crime Cameras
Baltimore Sun, (05/16/2008), John Fritze
The Baltimore City Police Department will soon begin replacing 102 of its 454 closed circuit street surveillance cameras. The 102 portable overt digital surveillance system "pods" were installed in 2005; the technology has become outdated, and the manpower needed to render them effective deemed too significant. The city uses other cameras tied to a system that can be monitored at central location; however, the pods must be monitored on location using a laptop-style controller. The pods, by design, were meant to be seen and that visibility meant to contribute to their deterrent value. The city of Chicago is also making plans to replace this type of unit as part of an effort to have all of its cameras networked to a central location.
www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.cameras16may16,0,2866474.story
Local Law Enforcement Tap into LInX
WHQR, (05/13/2008), Peter Biello
Twenty agencies in North Carolina, including the Wilmington Police Department and sheriff's offices in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Onslow, have joined the Law Enforcement Information Exchange (LInX) initiative. The project, initiated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), has been established in nine regions nationally and is allowing officers from 20 North Carolina agencies access to that information network. Program Manager Brian Stampe likened the network to "Google for police officers." Agencies can use the network to search for potential leads in other agencies' information databases.
www.publicbroadcasting.net/whqr/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1277210§ionID=1
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Leadership in Criminal Justice Books
May 20, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. Continuing its leadership in criminal justice books the website added 3 police officers; now listing well over 1000 state and local law enforcement officials who have authored books.
Martin Zaworski is a retired Captain of the Baltimore County Police Department (Maryland) and former Technical Services Division Commander of the Miami Beach Police Department (Florida) and most recently, former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (Florida). He has also served as a consultant to the U.S. Navy’s Space and Warfare Systems Command, Charleston, for whom he has evaluated prototype public safety and Homeland Security technology.
Dr. Martin Zaworski has lectured nationally and has coauthored a book and numerous articles on the topic of public safety technology. He is a member of and has been an advisor to several national public safety committees including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and has served as a subject matter expert - conducting grant reviews - for both the National Institute of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. He holds both an MPA and Ph.D. in Public Administration from Florida International University. Martin Zaworski is the co-author of The Design of Information Systems for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Executives.
Chief Rocky Pomerance, was the Chief of Police of Miami Beach Police Department from early 1950's through 1977 and served as the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police from October 1973 through October 1974. Rocky Pomerance is the co-author of Preparation for the Police Officer Examination.
Fred Wooldridge served 28 years on law enforcement. During his career with the Miami Beach Police Department he served 7 years as the SWAT commander. He retired at the rank of Major. Fred Wooldridge is the author of I'm Moving Back to Mars.
According to the book description, “Moving Back to Mars is a curl up on the couch, fun book of easy reading, full of short stories that have nothing to do with science fiction or the planet Mars. It is, instead, the author's zany struggle to understand and maintain his relationships with the female species. If he can just accomplish that, he will not have to give in and move home to Mars. Both men and women will love reading his viewpoints on everything from why men ever taught women to play golf to exactly how women have overtaken the world, right under men's noses.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 1008 police officers (representing 422 police departments) and their 2119 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.
Martin Zaworski is a retired Captain of the Baltimore County Police Department (Maryland) and former Technical Services Division Commander of the Miami Beach Police Department (Florida) and most recently, former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (Florida). He has also served as a consultant to the U.S. Navy’s Space and Warfare Systems Command, Charleston, for whom he has evaluated prototype public safety and Homeland Security technology.
Dr. Martin Zaworski has lectured nationally and has coauthored a book and numerous articles on the topic of public safety technology. He is a member of and has been an advisor to several national public safety committees including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and has served as a subject matter expert - conducting grant reviews - for both the National Institute of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. He holds both an MPA and Ph.D. in Public Administration from Florida International University. Martin Zaworski is the co-author of The Design of Information Systems for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Executives.
Chief Rocky Pomerance, was the Chief of Police of Miami Beach Police Department from early 1950's through 1977 and served as the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police from October 1973 through October 1974. Rocky Pomerance is the co-author of Preparation for the Police Officer Examination.
Fred Wooldridge served 28 years on law enforcement. During his career with the Miami Beach Police Department he served 7 years as the SWAT commander. He retired at the rank of Major. Fred Wooldridge is the author of I'm Moving Back to Mars.
According to the book description, “Moving Back to Mars is a curl up on the couch, fun book of easy reading, full of short stories that have nothing to do with science fiction or the planet Mars. It is, instead, the author's zany struggle to understand and maintain his relationships with the female species. If he can just accomplish that, he will not have to give in and move home to Mars. Both men and women will love reading his viewpoints on everything from why men ever taught women to play golf to exactly how women have overtaken the world, right under men's noses.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 1008 police officers (representing 422 police departments) and their 2119 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.
Friday, May 16, 2008
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
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
The Police-Based Victim Services Focus Group
On February 10-11, 2003, the International Association of Chiefs of Police held a focus group on the status of victim services and law enforcement that was attended by law enforcement leaders, line officers, detectives, victim advocates, and victims themselves. The concurrent goals of the focus group meeting, which consisted of general and breakout group sessions, were to: (1) identify critical and emerging issues, barriers and challenges facing law enforcement regarding victim services; and (2) recommend strategies to resolve these issues, overcome barriers and meet the identified challenges.
The focus group evolved from the IACP’s 1999 Summit on Victims of Crime, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, which brought together law enforcement leaders, representatives from the criminal justice system, victim advocates and victims to develop an action agenda in order to improve police response to victims. The participants of the summit identified seven critical needs of crime victims. These seven needs create, in turn, a set of criteria for effective victim services:
Access – Helping victim feel comfortable contacting the investigating officer to obtain or offer new information in their case helps ensure the victim will not feel left out of the system
Continuity – Coordination with local victim service providers and the prosecutor’s offices helps to ensure continuous service to the victim after the initial report is taken
Information – Availability of information in languages predominant in the community and in large print for the elderly should include resource sheets or brochures and relevant police and victim service contact numbers
Justice – Cooperation, communication and support through the entire criminal justice process will help ensure the satisfaction of all parties involved in a case: victims, police officers, prosecutors, victim service providers, etc.
Safety – Understanding the crisis reaction of victims and protecting the victim from future intimidation and harm helps enhance the victim’s sense of security
Support – Helping the victim feel comfortable to discuss the crime and letting the victim know that the police are concerned about their needs will create an atmosphere of support that may encourage improved cooperation with criminal justice agencies
Voice – Allowing victims to express their needs and concerns ensures their feedback is addressed when agencies determine how to respond to future victims
Using these criteria as a starting point, focus group participants discussed not only the general obstacles agencies face in developing effective victim services, but also the specific needs of different levels of law enforcement leadership, including chiefs and sheriffs, middle managers, first-line supervisors, line officers and detectives, field training officers (FTOs) and recruit officers, and training and certification agencies. This report will clarify those needs and strategies identified by focus group members to improve victim services in law enforcement agencies and provide a directional tool for law enforcement to use in advancing its approach to victim services.
Generally, focus group members concluded that the biggest impediments to enhancing the effectiveness of victim assistance programs in law enforcement agencies are 1) negative institutional forces and 2) lack of training for all levels of law enforcement. Attendees recommended that law enforcement receive specific training on communication and sensitivity issues to address these hurdles. With respect to the roles of different levels of leadership, participants stressed that superiors must clarify their expectations of subordinates, and officers must be held accountable for providing quality services to victims. Additionally, attendees suggested ways law enforcement can have a positive influence on prosecutors to improve victim services and can engage the public in ways that will raise awareness about the need for effective victim services. Focus group participants also noted that departments do not need a victim services unit to provide effective victim services; assistance to victims can be offered in ways that are appropriate to individual agencies.
READ ON
http://www.theiacp.org/documents/pdfs/Publications/PoliceBasedVictimFocusGrp.pdf
The focus group evolved from the IACP’s 1999 Summit on Victims of Crime, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, which brought together law enforcement leaders, representatives from the criminal justice system, victim advocates and victims to develop an action agenda in order to improve police response to victims. The participants of the summit identified seven critical needs of crime victims. These seven needs create, in turn, a set of criteria for effective victim services:
Access – Helping victim feel comfortable contacting the investigating officer to obtain or offer new information in their case helps ensure the victim will not feel left out of the system
Continuity – Coordination with local victim service providers and the prosecutor’s offices helps to ensure continuous service to the victim after the initial report is taken
Information – Availability of information in languages predominant in the community and in large print for the elderly should include resource sheets or brochures and relevant police and victim service contact numbers
Justice – Cooperation, communication and support through the entire criminal justice process will help ensure the satisfaction of all parties involved in a case: victims, police officers, prosecutors, victim service providers, etc.
Safety – Understanding the crisis reaction of victims and protecting the victim from future intimidation and harm helps enhance the victim’s sense of security
Support – Helping the victim feel comfortable to discuss the crime and letting the victim know that the police are concerned about their needs will create an atmosphere of support that may encourage improved cooperation with criminal justice agencies
Voice – Allowing victims to express their needs and concerns ensures their feedback is addressed when agencies determine how to respond to future victims
Using these criteria as a starting point, focus group participants discussed not only the general obstacles agencies face in developing effective victim services, but also the specific needs of different levels of law enforcement leadership, including chiefs and sheriffs, middle managers, first-line supervisors, line officers and detectives, field training officers (FTOs) and recruit officers, and training and certification agencies. This report will clarify those needs and strategies identified by focus group members to improve victim services in law enforcement agencies and provide a directional tool for law enforcement to use in advancing its approach to victim services.
Generally, focus group members concluded that the biggest impediments to enhancing the effectiveness of victim assistance programs in law enforcement agencies are 1) negative institutional forces and 2) lack of training for all levels of law enforcement. Attendees recommended that law enforcement receive specific training on communication and sensitivity issues to address these hurdles. With respect to the roles of different levels of leadership, participants stressed that superiors must clarify their expectations of subordinates, and officers must be held accountable for providing quality services to victims. Additionally, attendees suggested ways law enforcement can have a positive influence on prosecutors to improve victim services and can engage the public in ways that will raise awareness about the need for effective victim services. Focus group participants also noted that departments do not need a victim services unit to provide effective victim services; assistance to victims can be offered in ways that are appropriate to individual agencies.
READ ON
http://www.theiacp.org/documents/pdfs/Publications/PoliceBasedVictimFocusGrp.pdf
Monday, May 05, 2008
1000 Police Officers
May 4, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. The website welcomed its 1000th police officer: Chief Arnold A. Gibbs.
Chief Arnold Gibbs was born in the Bahamas and raised in Miami. Chief Arnold Gibbs has a BA from Barry University as well as a Master’s in Management from St. Thomas University. Chief Arnold Gibbs is a decorated US Army veteran, having served three years including a one-year tour in Vietnam. At the age of 22, he joined the Miami Police Department. During his law enforcement career with the Miami Police Department he earned the Miami Police Department Medal of Honor and rose to the rank of assistant chief. In 1994, he retired from the Miami Police Department and became the Chief of Police for the Cape Coral Police Department (Florida). He retired from the Cape Coral Police Department after ten years of service. Chief Arnold Gibbs is the author of The Ties That Blind and Where Are the Champions: A Simple Approach to Effective Criminal Justice and Social Reform.
According to the book description of The Ties That Blind, it “is quite appropriate to the time in consideration of the present growth of interest in religious and spiritual matters. Additionally, much of the story’s prophetic content is extremely relevant to the events of September 11, 2001, although the book was completed prior to that date. The author skillfully depicts the realities of racial prejudice; much of the violence being recounted from his experience, while driving home the point that love always conquers hate. It is a true inspiration to people of faith, criminal justice practitioners, and those who fight for racial equality and brotherly love.”
According to a reader of The Ties That Blind, “Arnold's portrayal of the pains of prejudice inflicted on the innocent broke my heart, but with each turn of the page he showed how love, honor and loyalty to one's beliefs can overcome even the most deeply imbedded hatred. A truly inspiring story you won't want to put down!”
Another reader said, “This was one of the most interesting and saddening depictions of race and prejudice in America. Nowhere has the truth been portrayed in a more realistic and sobering fashion. Arnold Gibbs captures the essence of the era, and reveals the truth about the hurt and pain of injustice. I would highly recommend this to student of justice, and American History.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 1000 police officers (representing 419 police departments) and their 2112 police books in 32 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.
Chief Arnold Gibbs was born in the Bahamas and raised in Miami. Chief Arnold Gibbs has a BA from Barry University as well as a Master’s in Management from St. Thomas University. Chief Arnold Gibbs is a decorated US Army veteran, having served three years including a one-year tour in Vietnam. At the age of 22, he joined the Miami Police Department. During his law enforcement career with the Miami Police Department he earned the Miami Police Department Medal of Honor and rose to the rank of assistant chief. In 1994, he retired from the Miami Police Department and became the Chief of Police for the Cape Coral Police Department (Florida). He retired from the Cape Coral Police Department after ten years of service. Chief Arnold Gibbs is the author of The Ties That Blind and Where Are the Champions: A Simple Approach to Effective Criminal Justice and Social Reform.
According to the book description of The Ties That Blind, it “is quite appropriate to the time in consideration of the present growth of interest in religious and spiritual matters. Additionally, much of the story’s prophetic content is extremely relevant to the events of September 11, 2001, although the book was completed prior to that date. The author skillfully depicts the realities of racial prejudice; much of the violence being recounted from his experience, while driving home the point that love always conquers hate. It is a true inspiration to people of faith, criminal justice practitioners, and those who fight for racial equality and brotherly love.”
According to a reader of The Ties That Blind, “Arnold's portrayal of the pains of prejudice inflicted on the innocent broke my heart, but with each turn of the page he showed how love, honor and loyalty to one's beliefs can overcome even the most deeply imbedded hatred. A truly inspiring story you won't want to put down!”
Another reader said, “This was one of the most interesting and saddening depictions of race and prejudice in America. Nowhere has the truth been portrayed in a more realistic and sobering fashion. Arnold Gibbs captures the essence of the era, and reveals the truth about the hurt and pain of injustice. I would highly recommend this to student of justice, and American History.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 1000 police officers (representing 419 police departments) and their 2112 police books in 32 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.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Public Safety Technology in the News May 1, 2008
IACP Issues Red Light Camera Systems Specifications
The Police Chief, (02/2008)
A performance standard has been created to help law enforcement agencies choose a red light camera system. Because of the increase in the number of agencies using red light cameras, the Enforcement Technologies Advisory Technical Subcommittee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Highway Safety Committee created a performance standard. The protocols and specifications laid out in the standard are meant to bolster the confidence of agencies, citizens, and courts in the precision and consistency of the camera systems. To obtain the standard, Red Light Camera Systems Minimum Performance Specifications, visit the IACP website www.theiacp.org/profassist/redlight.htm. IACP also maintains a conforming product list that lists systems that have been tested and found to comply with the specifications. www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1423&issue_id=22008
License Plate Recognition Systems Extend the Reach of Patrol Officers
Government Technology, (04/09/2008), Jim McKay
In an area like the United Kingdom, where the number of cameras used for public safety surveillance has grown to more than 4 million and estimates are that citizens get their images captured more than 300 times in a day, license plate recognitions technology is a common tool for law enforcement. Initially, use in the United States was limited to toll plazas on the EZ Pass lanes to capture the license plates of motorists going through the lanes without the required RF transponder equipment. License plate recognition systems are now beginning to take hold in the United States for other purposes, and law enforcement agencies are seeing positive results. Of the 1,800 law enforcement agencies nationwide, 400 have at least one system, and because of the positive results and a drop in prices, more agencies will be able to purchase the technology. www.govtech.com/gt/articles/282014
Met Police Officers to be 'Microchipped' by Top Brass in Big Brother Style Tracking Scheme
The Daily Mail, (04/10/2008)
Met Police will replace the ailing Airwave radio system with a microchip system that will aid in the tracking and movement of the 31,000 officer force. The device, identified as Automated Personal Locations System (APLS) and provided by Telent, will allow dispatchers at the agency's operations center to identify officer locations, whether above or below ground, at any time during the officer's shift. Administrators indicate that the switch to this type of tracking is to improve officer safety and to help the agency be more efficient in responding to incidents. According to Telent, the system will be one of the largest globally, covering approximately 620 miles. www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=558597&in_page_id=1770
Bethlehem Is Ready to Implement Video System in Crime Areas
The Morning Call, (04/08/2008), Pamela Leham
A video showing three teens robbing a drunken man at 3 a.m. led to the teens being caught and prosecuted for the crime. Results like these have prompted the Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) police to acquire six pole-mounted camera systems for use throughout the city for special events and emergency situations. Mayor John Callahan believes these cameras are equal to a 24/7 police presence where the police officer has "a photographic memory" that can be admitted as evidence in court. Allentown, near Bethlehem, has 20 cameras and wants to increase the amount to 80, while Easton Housing Authority hopes to implement video surveillance for use with its Weed and Seed project. www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_4camera-r.6349385apr08,0,5186533.story
Ready for Your (Driving) Closeup?
Los Angeles Times, (04/14/2008), Steve Hymon
States like Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington have implemented the use of radar-activated speed enforcement cameras to catch speeders on highways. Now the Beverly Hills Police Department is again attempting to push for legislation that will allow the use of such cameras in California. Officials have been trying since 2006 with no luck, but the growing list of States using the technology may indicate that opposition is decreasing. For the Beverly Hills Police Department, the issue is that police patrol the busy areas and drivers take short cuts through residential areas at high rates of speed. Scottsdale (Arizona) has this problem and instituted the use of cameras, which resulted in a 9 mph decrease in speed. The legislation being pushed in California would implement a pilot mobile unit that could be used in school zones and residential areas where the posted limit is 25 mph. Also, with this pilot project motorists would be provided with ample signage ind! icating the camera system was in use. This past January, the Governors Highway Safety Association indicated that because budget cuts have reduced the number of officers available for speed enforcement, more cameras are needed to aid agencies. www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-me-speedcam14apr14,0,2295257.story
3-D Images - Cordless and Any Time
ScienceDaily, (04/21/2008)
The ability of law enforcement to capture 3-D evidence soon will no longer rely on plaster casts of impressions left at the scene; instead they will be able to rely on a new 3-D device that captures images rapidly. The device is compact and easy to use in any situation because it runs on batteries and requires no direct wiring. Instead it relies on a wireless local area network to transmit images to laptops at the scene. The system, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF, uses two cameras and a projector that emits a pattern of stripes across the area. The geometry of the space can be inferred from the warp of the stripes. This type of technology is already available, but not in this compact configuration. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416114413.htm
USFA Highlights Lessons Learned From Minnesota Bridge Collapse
FireRescue1 News, (04/21/2008), Cristi Laquer
The development and release of a report about the August 2007 bridge collapse in Minnesota by the U.S. Fire Administration highlighted the high value of interoperability training. The report established both positive and negative aspects of the incident in an attempt to aid other departments that might face similar issues. The bridge collapse created multiple conditions that had to be considered by first responders, such as victims' locations, possible secondary collapse, and hazmat conditions, along with physical and jurisdictional restrictions. In spite of all of these difficulties, the multiple departments and agencies, as well as civilian support staff, responding to the event were able to effectively and efficiently overcome those obstacles because of joint training and well-developed working relationships. Problems cited in the report include that separate command posts were established, a unified command post was not established until late in the event, a safety of! ficer was not "formally" appointed, and the small size of the Emergency Operations Center. For the full report go to www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr_166.pdf. www.firerescue1.com/communications-interoperability/articles/397765-USFA-reports-lessons-learned-from-Minn-bridge-collapse/
Disaster Drill Simulates 'Dirty Bomb' Attack on Long Island
Staton Island Live, (04/26/2008), AP
In an attempt to ascertain the capabilities of authorities to respond to a radioactive event, more than 600 emergency responders participated in a simulated detonation of a "dirty bomb" by a biker gang in a Federal courthouse. The event was staged at the Yaphank fire academy over several days and involved staff from 60 agencies and 10 hospitals, with 100 people "injured" or "killed" in the fake event. Funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through a grant to Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency services, it was called the largest emergency simulation ever for Suffolk County. www.silive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-33/1209234258166600.xml&storylist=simetro
Airport Security From Chaos
ScienceDaily, (04/21/2008)
Random numbers present safety and security, according to a research project from the University of Southern California funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Software is used to capture information relating to routine, random vehicle, and canine searches conducted at an airport. Law enforcement officers input data relating to possible terrorist targets and their importance either daily or based on security violations or suspicious activity. Using mathematical algorithms, the software is able to calculate the chances for attacks on that particular airport and generate a random model for police to use in determining where to go and when. Because of the random nature of the model generated for police security, there is no pattern for terrorists to watch for and take advantage of in planning an attack. The Assistant for Randomized Monitoring and Routes (ARMOR) system has been tested for 6 months at Los Angeles International Airport and has been given the thumbs u! p to be used on a more permanent basis by airport officials. Even in the event terrorists were to acquire ARMOR, the likelihood of them being able to match the random monitoring of law enforcement is very low. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416161215.htm
The Police Chief, (02/2008)
A performance standard has been created to help law enforcement agencies choose a red light camera system. Because of the increase in the number of agencies using red light cameras, the Enforcement Technologies Advisory Technical Subcommittee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Highway Safety Committee created a performance standard. The protocols and specifications laid out in the standard are meant to bolster the confidence of agencies, citizens, and courts in the precision and consistency of the camera systems. To obtain the standard, Red Light Camera Systems Minimum Performance Specifications, visit the IACP website www.theiacp.org/profassist/redlight.htm. IACP also maintains a conforming product list that lists systems that have been tested and found to comply with the specifications. www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1423&issue_id=22008
License Plate Recognition Systems Extend the Reach of Patrol Officers
Government Technology, (04/09/2008), Jim McKay
In an area like the United Kingdom, where the number of cameras used for public safety surveillance has grown to more than 4 million and estimates are that citizens get their images captured more than 300 times in a day, license plate recognitions technology is a common tool for law enforcement. Initially, use in the United States was limited to toll plazas on the EZ Pass lanes to capture the license plates of motorists going through the lanes without the required RF transponder equipment. License plate recognition systems are now beginning to take hold in the United States for other purposes, and law enforcement agencies are seeing positive results. Of the 1,800 law enforcement agencies nationwide, 400 have at least one system, and because of the positive results and a drop in prices, more agencies will be able to purchase the technology. www.govtech.com/gt/articles/282014
Met Police Officers to be 'Microchipped' by Top Brass in Big Brother Style Tracking Scheme
The Daily Mail, (04/10/2008)
Met Police will replace the ailing Airwave radio system with a microchip system that will aid in the tracking and movement of the 31,000 officer force. The device, identified as Automated Personal Locations System (APLS) and provided by Telent, will allow dispatchers at the agency's operations center to identify officer locations, whether above or below ground, at any time during the officer's shift. Administrators indicate that the switch to this type of tracking is to improve officer safety and to help the agency be more efficient in responding to incidents. According to Telent, the system will be one of the largest globally, covering approximately 620 miles. www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=558597&in_page_id=1770
Bethlehem Is Ready to Implement Video System in Crime Areas
The Morning Call, (04/08/2008), Pamela Leham
A video showing three teens robbing a drunken man at 3 a.m. led to the teens being caught and prosecuted for the crime. Results like these have prompted the Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) police to acquire six pole-mounted camera systems for use throughout the city for special events and emergency situations. Mayor John Callahan believes these cameras are equal to a 24/7 police presence where the police officer has "a photographic memory" that can be admitted as evidence in court. Allentown, near Bethlehem, has 20 cameras and wants to increase the amount to 80, while Easton Housing Authority hopes to implement video surveillance for use with its Weed and Seed project. www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_4camera-r.6349385apr08,0,5186533.story
Ready for Your (Driving) Closeup?
Los Angeles Times, (04/14/2008), Steve Hymon
States like Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington have implemented the use of radar-activated speed enforcement cameras to catch speeders on highways. Now the Beverly Hills Police Department is again attempting to push for legislation that will allow the use of such cameras in California. Officials have been trying since 2006 with no luck, but the growing list of States using the technology may indicate that opposition is decreasing. For the Beverly Hills Police Department, the issue is that police patrol the busy areas and drivers take short cuts through residential areas at high rates of speed. Scottsdale (Arizona) has this problem and instituted the use of cameras, which resulted in a 9 mph decrease in speed. The legislation being pushed in California would implement a pilot mobile unit that could be used in school zones and residential areas where the posted limit is 25 mph. Also, with this pilot project motorists would be provided with ample signage ind! icating the camera system was in use. This past January, the Governors Highway Safety Association indicated that because budget cuts have reduced the number of officers available for speed enforcement, more cameras are needed to aid agencies. www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-me-speedcam14apr14,0,2295257.story
3-D Images - Cordless and Any Time
ScienceDaily, (04/21/2008)
The ability of law enforcement to capture 3-D evidence soon will no longer rely on plaster casts of impressions left at the scene; instead they will be able to rely on a new 3-D device that captures images rapidly. The device is compact and easy to use in any situation because it runs on batteries and requires no direct wiring. Instead it relies on a wireless local area network to transmit images to laptops at the scene. The system, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF, uses two cameras and a projector that emits a pattern of stripes across the area. The geometry of the space can be inferred from the warp of the stripes. This type of technology is already available, but not in this compact configuration. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416114413.htm
USFA Highlights Lessons Learned From Minnesota Bridge Collapse
FireRescue1 News, (04/21/2008), Cristi Laquer
The development and release of a report about the August 2007 bridge collapse in Minnesota by the U.S. Fire Administration highlighted the high value of interoperability training. The report established both positive and negative aspects of the incident in an attempt to aid other departments that might face similar issues. The bridge collapse created multiple conditions that had to be considered by first responders, such as victims' locations, possible secondary collapse, and hazmat conditions, along with physical and jurisdictional restrictions. In spite of all of these difficulties, the multiple departments and agencies, as well as civilian support staff, responding to the event were able to effectively and efficiently overcome those obstacles because of joint training and well-developed working relationships. Problems cited in the report include that separate command posts were established, a unified command post was not established until late in the event, a safety of! ficer was not "formally" appointed, and the small size of the Emergency Operations Center. For the full report go to www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr_166.pdf. www.firerescue1.com/communications-interoperability/articles/397765-USFA-reports-lessons-learned-from-Minn-bridge-collapse/
Disaster Drill Simulates 'Dirty Bomb' Attack on Long Island
Staton Island Live, (04/26/2008), AP
In an attempt to ascertain the capabilities of authorities to respond to a radioactive event, more than 600 emergency responders participated in a simulated detonation of a "dirty bomb" by a biker gang in a Federal courthouse. The event was staged at the Yaphank fire academy over several days and involved staff from 60 agencies and 10 hospitals, with 100 people "injured" or "killed" in the fake event. Funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through a grant to Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency services, it was called the largest emergency simulation ever for Suffolk County. www.silive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-33/1209234258166600.xml&storylist=simetro
Airport Security From Chaos
ScienceDaily, (04/21/2008)
Random numbers present safety and security, according to a research project from the University of Southern California funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Software is used to capture information relating to routine, random vehicle, and canine searches conducted at an airport. Law enforcement officers input data relating to possible terrorist targets and their importance either daily or based on security violations or suspicious activity. Using mathematical algorithms, the software is able to calculate the chances for attacks on that particular airport and generate a random model for police to use in determining where to go and when. Because of the random nature of the model generated for police security, there is no pattern for terrorists to watch for and take advantage of in planning an attack. The Assistant for Randomized Monitoring and Routes (ARMOR) system has been tested for 6 months at Los Angeles International Airport and has been given the thumbs u! p to be used on a more permanent basis by airport officials. Even in the event terrorists were to acquire ARMOR, the likelihood of them being able to match the random monitoring of law enforcement is very low. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416161215.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
