Study: Enforcement Spurs Rise in Web Sex Arrests
Associated Press, (03/30/2009), Anick Jesdaunun
A rise in arrests for sexually soliciting youths online is due to better law enforcement, rather than an increase in the number of offenders, according to a new study. The study, conducted by the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center, found a fivefold increase in arrests for soliciting undercover investigators who posed as juveniles, rising from 644arrests in 2000 to 3,100 in 2006. Arrests for solicitation of actual children increased 21 percent during the same time period, from 508 arrests in 2000 to 615 in 2006. David Finkelhor, director of the center, said the disparity in the rate of growth indicates that the increase in the number of arrests results from tighter law enforcement rather than an increase in the number of offenders. Otherwise, the rate of growth for the two groups would be more similar. Researchers noted that in recent years solicitations have shifted from chat rooms to online social networking sites, but that youth often ! were actively seeking relationships with people they knew to be adults.
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/03/30/financial/f210311D26.DTL&type=business
Report Gives Scope of Cybercrime
Richmond-Times-Dispatch, (04/05/2009), Iris Taylor
Cybercrime robbed consumers of $265 million in 2008, $25 million more than the previous year, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. California logged the most consumer complaints. The center is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. Consumers can use the center to report cybercrime. It also provides law enforcement with a central referral mechanism for complaints involving Internet-related crimes.The increase in complaints means not only that illegal activity has increased, but that consumers are more aware of the center, according to spokesman Craig Butterworth. One-third of the complaints received in 2008 involved nondelivered merchandise or payments. Internet auction fraud accounted for 26 percent of complaints. Other complaints involved computer fraud, check fraud, identify theft and threats.
www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/columnists/article/IRIS05_20090404-180502/249062/
Record Number of Meth Labs Resurface
WSMV Nashville, (03/31/2009), Sara Dorsey
Tennessee police say the methamphetamine problem in the state is on the rise. Meth labs are now smaller, mobile and harder to detect. The state saw a decline in meth lab activity after the legislature passed the Meth-Free Tennessee Act in 2005, which required items containing meth's main ingredients, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine tablets, to be sold behind the counter in pharmacies. Anhydrous ammonia, another key ingredient, became harder to find when farmers began locking up their fertilizer tanks. But in 2008, the state saw the re-emergence of the meth problem, with 815 labs found. Authorities say meth producers began using new ingredients, such as a common household ice pack, to make the drug. Authorities want to close a loophole in the law that requires ephedrine/pseudoephdrine tablets to be sold in pharmacies, but allows gelcaps and liquids to be sold and purchased anywhere.
www.wsmv.com/news/19045733/detail.html
Rochester Draws the Line on Graffiti
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, (03/30/2009), Brian Sharp
Rochester, N.Y., is considering using sensors to detect graffiti and alert police. The sensors can detect the "sound signature" of paint being sprayed and signal police. If approved by the city council, the city plans to buy 20 sensors using a $25,000 federal grant. The sensors are produced by the California-based Broadband Discovery Systems Inc. Michael Neely, the company's vice president, says the sensors will detect spray painting that is taking a bit of time, but won't catch a quick "hit and run" spray paint offender. Watsonville, Calif., has cataloged graffiti and matched vandals' signatures, allowing authorities to combine prior instances and level felony charges. Rochester began assembling a similar database in 2008.
www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090330/NEWS01/903300332/1002/NEWS
Ripon Police Testing Budget Defense Simulators
KXTV Fox40News (03/24/09), Lonnie Wong
Police in Ripon, Calif., are taking part in a test of budget firearm training simulators for the Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center. The units being tested cost under $20,000. Small police departments like Ripon, with fewer than 30 officers, could have a hard time justifying buying the more expensive standard simulators. The budget simulators allow officers to look at a six-foot-high screen and practice 400 scenarios that test decision making and shooting skills.
www.fox40.com/pages/landing_local_headlines/?Ripon-Police-Testing-Budget-Defense-Simu=1&blockID=248357&feedID=190
U.S. Warns Truckers on Border
The Wall Street Journal, (03/27/2009), Cam Simpson
U.S. truckers working in Mexico or near the border are being warned to establish special security procedures because of a surge in drug-related violence. The Highway Information Sharing Analysis Center issued an advisory in March. The center is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and run by the Transportation Security Administration. Violence from Mexico's drug activity has spilled over into border states such as Arizona. The advisory said truckers are at risk because they are involved in operations that might interest the drug criminals. The center urged trucking companies to establish special signals and internal reporting procedures, and said drivers should be "extremely conscious of your environment." The Obama administration recently proposed a plan to hinder drug shipments into the U.S. and limit weapons and cash smuggling into Mexico.
online.wsj.com/article/SB123819855556161969.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Text Messaging, Internet, Toll-Free Tip Service Launched by Middletown PD
Mid-Hudson News Network, (04/04/2009)
Middletown, N.Y., has joined the ranks of police departments allowing residents to provide anonymous tips via text message, Internet and a toll-free numbers. The Middletown program also allows police to respond by text message to the originating cell phone without knowing the identity of the tipster, whose information is always given an alias and unique ID number.
www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/April09/04/MtwnPD_text-04Apr09.html
Cold Case Homicide Cards: A Huge Hit Behind Bars
KSEE News, (03/19/2009), Preston Phillips
Valley Crime Stoppers is trying a new, low-tech approach to solving cold homicide cases. Playing cards showing homicide victims in unsolved cases are being sold to inmates at the Fresno County Jail and other correctional facilities in Central Valley area of California. One side of the card shows the victim; the other side has information on who to call if a person has information about the case. Funds for the cold case homicide cards is provided through a grant from the National Institute of Justice, according to crime stoppers.
www.ksee24.com/internal?st=print&id=41477707&path=/news/local
New Eye Scan Technology Installed by Scott County Sheriff's Department
Southeast Missourian, (03/23/2009), Bridget DiCosmo
The Scott County Sheriff's Department is the first law enforcement agency in Missouri to install iris recognition software to identifying missing persons. The technology, which is being used in about 300 agencies in the United States, could eventually replace fingerprinting as a main way of identifying missing or abducted children. The software purchased by Scott County includes two packages, Senior Safety Net and Child Project. Both systems take a photograph of a person's irises and stores the image in a national database. If a senior or child is reported missing, once an individual is found police could made a positive identification in a few seconds.
www.semissourian.com/story/1524246.html
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Smiley Face Killers
“Could a national gang of killers that leaves smiley-face calling cards be getting away with murdering dozens of male college students by making all the deaths look like accidents?” (MSNBC 4/29/08)
On April 10, 2009, Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole will feature and interview with Kristi Piehl and Bill Szostak.
In the past 12 years, more than 70 young men have either drowned or gone missing under similar circumstances. These are men with vibrant personalities and bright futures. Despite what you’ve heard, not all the men were intoxicated when they were last seen.
Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter Kristi Piehl first exposed the possible connection between the mysterious drowning deaths in 2008 on Good Morning America. Piehl is now working closely with several families of the victims including, Bill Szostak, the father of Josh Szostak.
Program Date: April 10, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Smiley Face Killers
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/04/11/Smiley-Face-Killers
About the Guests
Kristi Piehl broke the Smiley Face Killer story the same week Josh Szostak was buried. Bill Szostak heard Kristi on Good Morning America and contacted her. The two worked independently over the summer. Bill focused on Josh’s case and Kristi followed up on tips and pursued leads on victims and suspects.
Bill and Kristi realized in August that they each held key pieces of a bigger puzzle and began talking everyday and sharing evidence. Several weeks before Christmas 2008, a round of newsroom layoffs ended Kristi’s 12 year career in television news. It gave her an opportunity to work full-time on these drowning cases. Her goal is to expose the evidence and keep the victim’s stories alive.
Bill is a retired firefighter and licensed fire investigator. His motivation is to give Josh justice and to ensure no other parent will have to watch their son’s body recovered from a river.
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/2009/04/11/Smiley-Face-Killers
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
On April 10, 2009, Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole will feature and interview with Kristi Piehl and Bill Szostak.
In the past 12 years, more than 70 young men have either drowned or gone missing under similar circumstances. These are men with vibrant personalities and bright futures. Despite what you’ve heard, not all the men were intoxicated when they were last seen.
Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter Kristi Piehl first exposed the possible connection between the mysterious drowning deaths in 2008 on Good Morning America. Piehl is now working closely with several families of the victims including, Bill Szostak, the father of Josh Szostak.
Program Date: April 10, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Smiley Face Killers
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/04/11/Smiley-Face-Killers
About the Guests
Kristi Piehl broke the Smiley Face Killer story the same week Josh Szostak was buried. Bill Szostak heard Kristi on Good Morning America and contacted her. The two worked independently over the summer. Bill focused on Josh’s case and Kristi followed up on tips and pursued leads on victims and suspects.
Bill and Kristi realized in August that they each held key pieces of a bigger puzzle and began talking everyday and sharing evidence. Several weeks before Christmas 2008, a round of newsroom layoffs ended Kristi’s 12 year career in television news. It gave her an opportunity to work full-time on these drowning cases. Her goal is to expose the evidence and keep the victim’s stories alive.
Bill is a retired firefighter and licensed fire investigator. His motivation is to give Josh justice and to ensure no other parent will have to watch their son’s body recovered from a river.
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/2009/04/11/Smiley-Face-Killers
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Friday, April 03, 2009
Recovery Act: Evaluation of Internet Child Safety Materials Used by ICAC Task Forces in School and Community Settings
This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the “Recovery Act”). The stated purposes of the Recovery Act are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize State and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive State and local tax increases.
The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars. Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new Web site—Recovery.gov—to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.
NIJ seeks to fund an evaluation of internet child safety materials used by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces that receive funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) under the Recovery Act. Specifically, the successful grantee will conduct a multisite evaluation of internet child safety materials used by ICAC task forces in school and community settings to examine the effectiveness of these materials and identify gaps that may exist in this field. The information is needed to help ICAC task forces make informed decisions about the best materials available to meet their missions of promoting public awareness and prevention. The results will be made available to other ICAC task forces to enhance their efforts to address internet crimes against children.
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000875.pdf
The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars. Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new Web site—Recovery.gov—to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.
NIJ seeks to fund an evaluation of internet child safety materials used by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces that receive funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) under the Recovery Act. Specifically, the successful grantee will conduct a multisite evaluation of internet child safety materials used by ICAC task forces in school and community settings to examine the effectiveness of these materials and identify gaps that may exist in this field. The information is needed to help ICAC task forces make informed decisions about the best materials available to meet their missions of promoting public awareness and prevention. The results will be made available to other ICAC task forces to enhance their efforts to address internet crimes against children.
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000875.pdf
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Mock Prison Riot, May 3-6, 2009
The West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and the National Corrections and Law Enforcement Training and Technology Center (NCLETTC) annually host a Mock Prison Riot on the grounds of the former West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville. The purpose of the riot is to showcase emerging corrections and law enforcement technologies and to give corrections officers and tactical team members an opportunity to use and evaluate emerging technologies in riot training scenarios. The next Mock Prison Riot is scheduled for May 3-6, 2009.
The event helps determine the effectiveness of the technologies by placing them in realistic situations and allows for suggestions for modification of the technologies. It also provides corrections personnel from throughout the country significant training on how to best approach and handle a riot situation. Corrections officials from all over the world, including the West Virginia Division of Corrections, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Federal Bureau of Prisons, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Her Majesty's Prison in London, England, have participated in the event.
For additional information regarding the Mock Prison Riot go to mockprisonriot.org/mpr/index.aspx
The event helps determine the effectiveness of the technologies by placing them in realistic situations and allows for suggestions for modification of the technologies. It also provides corrections personnel from throughout the country significant training on how to best approach and handle a riot situation. Corrections officials from all over the world, including the West Virginia Division of Corrections, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Federal Bureau of Prisons, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Her Majesty's Prison in London, England, have participated in the event.
For additional information regarding the Mock Prison Riot go to mockprisonriot.org/mpr/index.aspx
Friday, March 20, 2009
BJA is pleased to announce the release of two competitive grant announcements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)
Recovery Act State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program: Combating Criminal Narcotics Activity Stemming from the Southern Border of the United States
All applications are due April 17, 2009.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding under the Recovery Act State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program: Combating Criminal Narcotics Activity Stemming from the Southern Border of the United States.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the landmark American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”). As one of its many elements, the Recovery Act provides the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with funding for grants to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement (including support for hiring), to combat violence against women, to fight internet crimes against children, to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime, and to support youth mentoring. DOJ is committed to working with our national, state, local and tribal partners to ensure this funding invests in the American workforce.
Specifically, under this solicitation, BJA will be making awards to provide assistance and equipment to local law enforcement along the Southern border to combat criminal narcotics activity.
For more information on this grant go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recovery/RecoverySouthernBorder.pdf
Recovery Act Correctional Facilities on Tribal Lands Program
All applications are due May 4, 2009.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding under the Recovery Act Correctional Facilities on Tribal Lands Program.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the landmark American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”). As one of its many elements, the Recovery Act provides the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with funding for grants to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement (including support for hiring), to combat violence against women, to fight internet crimes against children, to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime, and to support youth mentoring. DOJ is committed to working with our national, state, local and tribal partners to ensure this funding invests in the American workforce.
Specifically, under this solicitation, BJA will be making awards to assist tribes in cost effectively constructing and renovating correctional facilities on tribal lands associated with the incarceration and rehabilitation of juvenile and adult offenders subject to tribal jurisdiction.
For more information on this grant go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recovery/RecoveryTribalCorr.pdf
For more information on the Recovery Act, please read the Office of Justice Programs' Fact Sheet or go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryact.html.
All applications are due April 17, 2009.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding under the Recovery Act State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program: Combating Criminal Narcotics Activity Stemming from the Southern Border of the United States.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the landmark American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”). As one of its many elements, the Recovery Act provides the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with funding for grants to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement (including support for hiring), to combat violence against women, to fight internet crimes against children, to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime, and to support youth mentoring. DOJ is committed to working with our national, state, local and tribal partners to ensure this funding invests in the American workforce.
Specifically, under this solicitation, BJA will be making awards to provide assistance and equipment to local law enforcement along the Southern border to combat criminal narcotics activity.
For more information on this grant go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recovery/RecoverySouthernBorder.pdf
Recovery Act Correctional Facilities on Tribal Lands Program
All applications are due May 4, 2009.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding under the Recovery Act Correctional Facilities on Tribal Lands Program.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the landmark American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”). As one of its many elements, the Recovery Act provides the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with funding for grants to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement (including support for hiring), to combat violence against women, to fight internet crimes against children, to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime, and to support youth mentoring. DOJ is committed to working with our national, state, local and tribal partners to ensure this funding invests in the American workforce.
Specifically, under this solicitation, BJA will be making awards to assist tribes in cost effectively constructing and renovating correctional facilities on tribal lands associated with the incarceration and rehabilitation of juvenile and adult offenders subject to tribal jurisdiction.
For more information on this grant go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recovery/RecoveryTribalCorr.pdf
For more information on the Recovery Act, please read the Office of Justice Programs' Fact Sheet or go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryact.html.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Public Safety Technology in the News
Investing in Public Safety Through the Justice Assistance Grant Program
Enews Park Forest, (03/07/2009)
The U.S. Department of Justice is providing $2 billion for state and local law enforcement under the 2009 Recovery Act. The funds will be made available through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. The money can be used for efforts such as hiring police officers, buying radios and equipment, and supporting courts, corrections and drug and gang task forces. Sixty percent of the funds are awarded directly to states and 40 percent to local governments. Examples of how jurisdictions plan to use the funding include increasing police presence in high crime areas of Long Beach, Ca., police overtime for violence reduction efforts in Providence, R.I., upgrading the radio telecommunications infrastructure in Bowling Green, Ky., and installing in-car digital camera systems in police cruisers in West Jordan, Utah.
www.enewspf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6219:investing-in-public-safety&catid=1&Itemid=88889791
UIC Receives $2 Million to Examine Police Organizations
WBBM Radio, (03/07/2009)
A team of top researchers will look into the current state of American policing under a $2 million National Institute of Justice grant awarded to the University of Illinois at Chicago. Over three years, the team will study 25 law enforcement agencies, including police departments in Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles, to determine what contributes to success among individual officers, supervisors and organizations. The researchers plan to develop and field test a new system called the National Police Research Platform, which will analyze police activities and advance new evidence-based practices. As part of the study, the Chicago Police Department will develop and evaluate innovative recruit training.
www.wbbm780.com/UIC-Receives--2-Million-to-Examine-Police-Organiza/3977011
Brilliant Doctor Develops DNA Study
Arizona Daily Wildcat, (03/06/2009), Rikki Mitchell
What began as a University of Arizona study on the genes affecting albinism could be a useful forensics tool. The study, led by Murray Brilliant of the Steele Children's Research Center at the university, examines genetic differences in hair, skin and eye color to potentially describe a person's appearance. With the new technology, a description of a person could be derived using a blood spot or semen sample from a crime scene, based on DNA. The study involved using cheek swabs gathered from 1,000 people to create their DNA blueprint. The blueprint was then compared to data samples of participants' hair, eyes and skin. Accuracy on hair color is about 80 percent, for eye color accuracy is 76 percent and for skin color accuracy is about 50 percent.
media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/03/06/News/Brilliant.Doctor.Develops.Dna.Study-3663461.shtml
New Equipment Lets Headland PD Go Wireless
The Dothan Progress, (03/06/2009), Michelle Watson
Police in Hedland, Ala., are going wireless. The police department is using a $93,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and a $25,000 grant from the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council to purchase new consoles, desktop computers and laptops. Data terminals will be installed in patrol cars, which will allow officers to automate traffic ticketing in the field. The system will allow officers to swipe driver's licenses, check the information and print out a ticket and download the information to the courthouse. Video and audio cameras will also be installed in police vehicles.
www.dothaneagle.com/dea/dothan_progress/news/article/new_equipment_lets_headland_pd_go_wireless/62591/
County Flips the Switch on New Digital Radio System
Woodbury Bulletin, (03/02/2009), Hank Long
Public safety departments in Washington County, Minn., have a new $15 million digital radio system. The 800 MHz system will allow police and fire departments in the county to communicate more efficiently. Washington County is one of the last jurisdictions in the Twin Cities area to transfer public safety communications from analog to digital. The county built 14 new towers across the county and installed a mainframe at the county government center. In old analog systems, "dead spots" are common in indoor spaces such as basements. With the new system, officials say few buildings will thwart signal transmission.
www.swcbulletin.com/articles/index.cfm?id=11912§ion=News
Emergency Notification System Ready for Enrollment
Malden Observer, 03/05/2009, Natalie Miller
Police in Walden, Mass., want residents to participate in an improved emergency community notification program. Residents can sign up on the city's Web site for the program, which allows the city to deliver emergency notification messages to residents via telephone. During a snowstorm in February, the city sent more than 16,000 calls in 16 minutes reminding residents that a snow emergency was in effect. The system can also be used to report a missing child or a hazardous incident. The new program replaces the city's reverse 911 system for less cost to the community and improves response time. The previous system could make about 64 calls a minute, while the new CodeRED system makes 1,000 calls a minute.
www.wickedlocal.com/malden/news/x1237138555/Emergency-notification-system-ready-for-enrollment
Crime Stoppers Group Embraces Technology
Longmont Times-Call, (3/3/2009), Scott Rochat
The Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers program has expanded the way residents can submit crime tips. The program now accepts anonymous text-messaging and Web-based "tip forms," in addition to telephone calls. People who want to submit a tip over the Web can visit www.nocrimestoppers.com and click on "Give a tip." The Web site also allows Crime Stoppers to pass tips to police agencies more quickly.
www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=21840
Police Take the Fight onto the Web
New York Times, (3/8/2009), Brad Stone
Law enforcement agencies are using social networking sites as crime-fighting tools. Agencies are using sites well known to the public such as YouTube and MySpace to post information and receive tips. In addition, new Web services are being developed specifically to allow investigative agencies to share information. One service, CrimeDex, was created by a former police officer and is now owned by 3VR of San Francisco, which makes image recognition systems for surveillance cameras. The company says more than 1,000 law enforcement agencies and private agencies such as banks use CrimeDex. Users can submit information, photographs and videos related to possible crimes and compare the information with data from other agencies. Another law enforcement service, CrimeReports.com based in Salt Lake City, allows police to record crimes on a single nationwide map powered by Google. Citizens can view a map of crimes in their neighborhood and sign up to receive e-mail crime alerts.
www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/technology/08stream.html?scp=1&sq=law+enforcement+technology&st=nyt
Enews Park Forest, (03/07/2009)
The U.S. Department of Justice is providing $2 billion for state and local law enforcement under the 2009 Recovery Act. The funds will be made available through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. The money can be used for efforts such as hiring police officers, buying radios and equipment, and supporting courts, corrections and drug and gang task forces. Sixty percent of the funds are awarded directly to states and 40 percent to local governments. Examples of how jurisdictions plan to use the funding include increasing police presence in high crime areas of Long Beach, Ca., police overtime for violence reduction efforts in Providence, R.I., upgrading the radio telecommunications infrastructure in Bowling Green, Ky., and installing in-car digital camera systems in police cruisers in West Jordan, Utah.
www.enewspf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6219:investing-in-public-safety&catid=1&Itemid=88889791
UIC Receives $2 Million to Examine Police Organizations
WBBM Radio, (03/07/2009)
A team of top researchers will look into the current state of American policing under a $2 million National Institute of Justice grant awarded to the University of Illinois at Chicago. Over three years, the team will study 25 law enforcement agencies, including police departments in Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles, to determine what contributes to success among individual officers, supervisors and organizations. The researchers plan to develop and field test a new system called the National Police Research Platform, which will analyze police activities and advance new evidence-based practices. As part of the study, the Chicago Police Department will develop and evaluate innovative recruit training.
www.wbbm780.com/UIC-Receives--2-Million-to-Examine-Police-Organiza/3977011
Brilliant Doctor Develops DNA Study
Arizona Daily Wildcat, (03/06/2009), Rikki Mitchell
What began as a University of Arizona study on the genes affecting albinism could be a useful forensics tool. The study, led by Murray Brilliant of the Steele Children's Research Center at the university, examines genetic differences in hair, skin and eye color to potentially describe a person's appearance. With the new technology, a description of a person could be derived using a blood spot or semen sample from a crime scene, based on DNA. The study involved using cheek swabs gathered from 1,000 people to create their DNA blueprint. The blueprint was then compared to data samples of participants' hair, eyes and skin. Accuracy on hair color is about 80 percent, for eye color accuracy is 76 percent and for skin color accuracy is about 50 percent.
media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/03/06/News/Brilliant.Doctor.Develops.Dna.Study-3663461.shtml
New Equipment Lets Headland PD Go Wireless
The Dothan Progress, (03/06/2009), Michelle Watson
Police in Hedland, Ala., are going wireless. The police department is using a $93,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and a $25,000 grant from the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council to purchase new consoles, desktop computers and laptops. Data terminals will be installed in patrol cars, which will allow officers to automate traffic ticketing in the field. The system will allow officers to swipe driver's licenses, check the information and print out a ticket and download the information to the courthouse. Video and audio cameras will also be installed in police vehicles.
www.dothaneagle.com/dea/dothan_progress/news/article/new_equipment_lets_headland_pd_go_wireless/62591/
County Flips the Switch on New Digital Radio System
Woodbury Bulletin, (03/02/2009), Hank Long
Public safety departments in Washington County, Minn., have a new $15 million digital radio system. The 800 MHz system will allow police and fire departments in the county to communicate more efficiently. Washington County is one of the last jurisdictions in the Twin Cities area to transfer public safety communications from analog to digital. The county built 14 new towers across the county and installed a mainframe at the county government center. In old analog systems, "dead spots" are common in indoor spaces such as basements. With the new system, officials say few buildings will thwart signal transmission.
www.swcbulletin.com/articles/index.cfm?id=11912§ion=News
Emergency Notification System Ready for Enrollment
Malden Observer, 03/05/2009, Natalie Miller
Police in Walden, Mass., want residents to participate in an improved emergency community notification program. Residents can sign up on the city's Web site for the program, which allows the city to deliver emergency notification messages to residents via telephone. During a snowstorm in February, the city sent more than 16,000 calls in 16 minutes reminding residents that a snow emergency was in effect. The system can also be used to report a missing child or a hazardous incident. The new program replaces the city's reverse 911 system for less cost to the community and improves response time. The previous system could make about 64 calls a minute, while the new CodeRED system makes 1,000 calls a minute.
www.wickedlocal.com/malden/news/x1237138555/Emergency-notification-system-ready-for-enrollment
Crime Stoppers Group Embraces Technology
Longmont Times-Call, (3/3/2009), Scott Rochat
The Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers program has expanded the way residents can submit crime tips. The program now accepts anonymous text-messaging and Web-based "tip forms," in addition to telephone calls. People who want to submit a tip over the Web can visit www.nocrimestoppers.com and click on "Give a tip." The Web site also allows Crime Stoppers to pass tips to police agencies more quickly.
www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=21840
Police Take the Fight onto the Web
New York Times, (3/8/2009), Brad Stone
Law enforcement agencies are using social networking sites as crime-fighting tools. Agencies are using sites well known to the public such as YouTube and MySpace to post information and receive tips. In addition, new Web services are being developed specifically to allow investigative agencies to share information. One service, CrimeDex, was created by a former police officer and is now owned by 3VR of San Francisco, which makes image recognition systems for surveillance cameras. The company says more than 1,000 law enforcement agencies and private agencies such as banks use CrimeDex. Users can submit information, photographs and videos related to possible crimes and compare the information with data from other agencies. Another law enforcement service, CrimeReports.com based in Salt Lake City, allows police to record crimes on a single nationwide map powered by Google. Citizens can view a map of crimes in their neighborhood and sign up to receive e-mail crime alerts.
www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/technology/08stream.html?scp=1&sq=law+enforcement+technology&st=nyt
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Learn More About Providing Services to Victims of Bullying
March 18, 2009—Join an Online Discussion
Learn More About Providing Services to Victims of Bullying
On March 18, 2009, at 2 p.m. (eastern time), in recognition of National Youth Violence Prevention Week (March 23–27), the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will present an OVC Web Forum discussion with Patricia Agatston, Ph.D., and Susan Limber, Ph.D., on best practices for providing services to students who have been victims of bullying. Dr. Agatston is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Cobb County School District’s Prevention/Intervention Center in Marietta, Georgia. As a counselor and prevention specialist with more than 20 years of experience, she provides training and technical assistance to schools to help them prevent bullying, drug use, and suicide, and teaches Internet safety. Dr. Agatston also is a nationally certified trainer and technical assistance consultant for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Dr. Limber is a faculty member within the Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life and a professor of psychology, both at Clemson University. Dr. Limber directed the first wide-scale implementation and evaluation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and coordinates training for the program in North and South America. Dr. Agatston and Dr. Limber coauthored Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age.
http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ovcproviderforum/asp/participate.asp
Learn More About Providing Services to Victims of Bullying
On March 18, 2009, at 2 p.m. (eastern time), in recognition of National Youth Violence Prevention Week (March 23–27), the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will present an OVC Web Forum discussion with Patricia Agatston, Ph.D., and Susan Limber, Ph.D., on best practices for providing services to students who have been victims of bullying. Dr. Agatston is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Cobb County School District’s Prevention/Intervention Center in Marietta, Georgia. As a counselor and prevention specialist with more than 20 years of experience, she provides training and technical assistance to schools to help them prevent bullying, drug use, and suicide, and teaches Internet safety. Dr. Agatston also is a nationally certified trainer and technical assistance consultant for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Dr. Limber is a faculty member within the Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life and a professor of psychology, both at Clemson University. Dr. Limber directed the first wide-scale implementation and evaluation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and coordinates training for the program in North and South America. Dr. Agatston and Dr. Limber coauthored Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age.
http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ovcproviderforum/asp/participate.asp
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Bombs, Bullets and Fast Talk
On March 27, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a
discussion Special James Botting, FBI (ret.) the author of Bullets, Bombs, and Fast
Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.
Program Date: March 27, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/03/28/Bombs-Bullets-and-Fast-Talk
About the Guest
Special Agent James Botting (ret.) served in the FBI for twenty-five years, sixteen as a crisis/hostage negotiator. He served as the team leader of the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) from 1981 to 1995 and a supervisory member of its international Critical Incident Negotiation Team since its inception in 1985 until his retirement. He has personally negotiated numerous hostage/barricade incidents and responded to several high-profile events. He lives in California. James Botting is the author of Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.
According to the book description of Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories, “A desperate gunman holds a planeload of innocent passengers hostage. A heavily armed cult leader refuses to leave his compound, threatening mass suicide by a hundred of his brainwashed followers. A neo-Nazi militant in a cabin hideout keeps federal agents at bay with gunfire. A baby disappears; his only trace is an ominous ransom call to his parents. Prisoners riot, threatening the lives of prison officers and hundreds of other inmates. How do you react? What do you do? What do you say? Your words, your actions can save lives--or lose them.”
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/2009/03/28/Bombs-Bullets-and-Fast-Talk
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
discussion Special James Botting, FBI (ret.) the author of Bullets, Bombs, and Fast
Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.
Program Date: March 27, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/03/28/Bombs-Bullets-and-Fast-Talk
About the Guest
Special Agent James Botting (ret.) served in the FBI for twenty-five years, sixteen as a crisis/hostage negotiator. He served as the team leader of the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) from 1981 to 1995 and a supervisory member of its international Critical Incident Negotiation Team since its inception in 1985 until his retirement. He has personally negotiated numerous hostage/barricade incidents and responded to several high-profile events. He lives in California. James Botting is the author of Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.
According to the book description of Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories, “A desperate gunman holds a planeload of innocent passengers hostage. A heavily armed cult leader refuses to leave his compound, threatening mass suicide by a hundred of his brainwashed followers. A neo-Nazi militant in a cabin hideout keeps federal agents at bay with gunfire. A baby disappears; his only trace is an ominous ransom call to his parents. Prisoners riot, threatening the lives of prison officers and hundreds of other inmates. How do you react? What do you do? What do you say? Your words, your actions can save lives--or lose them.”
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/2009/03/28/Bombs-Bullets-and-Fast-Talk
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
NLECTC's 10th annual Innovative Technologies for Community Corrections Conference
NLECTC's 10th annual Innovative Technologies for Community Corrections Conference will be held on June 1-3, 2009 in San Diego, CA at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. The conference focuses on the implementation of technology as well as new technologies on the horizon. The cost to attend is $210 and includes continental breakfast and lunch during the event. An exhibit hall will also be set up for attendees to interact with technology vendors. Visit our website at: www.justnet.org/Pages/commcorr.aspx
for more information or to register.
for more information or to register.
Comments Needed! New NIJ Bomb Suit Certification Program Requirements
NIJ has completed the development of the draft certification program requirements by which bomb suits will be certified as compliant with the soon-to-be-released NIJ Bomb Suit Standard for Public Safety. The opportunity to provide comments on this document is open to industry technical representatives, public safety agencies and organizations, research, development and scientific communities, and all other stakeholders and interested parties. For a copy of the requirements and to submit comments go to: www.justnet.org/Pages/bomb_suit_req_comment.aspx
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Digital Images in Law Enforcement
On March 6, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion Stan Goldberg on Digital Images in Law Enforcement.
Program Date: March 13, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Digital Images in Law Enforcement
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/03/14/Digital-Images-in-Law-Enforcement
About the Guest
Stan Goldberg practically grew up in a black-and-white. As a young teenager in Brookline, Massachusetts, Stan would ride with the police and got interested in Law Enforcement. Stan then started to take pictures of accidents and fires and give them to police. Later, as his interest in police work and his talent for photography grew, Stan went to Photography School and into the photographic supply business specializing in Law Enforcement.
While attending professional photo school in Boston in 1963, Stan took his favorite photo of President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy had been in office for just about three years, and the young President had returned to his home state of Massachusetts for a visit.
Stan caught Kennedy buttoning his overcoat as he left the presidential helicopter and strode across the lawn to examine a site for the John F. Kennedy Library that would be built after his term in office ended. It was a cold, rainy day but Kennedy was smiling broadly as he walked towards the waiting crowd. No one would have guessed that in a little more than a month, the President would be dead at the hand of an assassin.
Stan’s interest in photography grew into a career as he worked his way up in the camera business. But he never lost his love for police work. As the use of digital cameras grew, Stan began equipping police departments with new digital imaging solutions, inventing and fabricating fingerprint adapters now being manufactured by Latentlift.
Today, Stan is one of the leading experts in helping Law Enforcement agencies work faster, better and more effectively with digital imaging solutions, and he manages the first-ever division of Law Enforcement, medical and audio-visual integration for New England’s largest digital imaging equipment retailer, Hunt’s Photo and Video (online at www.wbhunt.com). An associate member of the Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island Chiefs of police, the New England Division of the International Association for Identification (NEDIAI), and the 100 Club in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire, Stan has been instrumental in providing police throughout the Northeast with a wide range of digital imaging products.
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/2009/03/14/Digital-Images-in-Law-Enforcement
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Program Date: March 13, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Digital Images in Law Enforcement
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/03/14/Digital-Images-in-Law-Enforcement
About the Guest
Stan Goldberg practically grew up in a black-and-white. As a young teenager in Brookline, Massachusetts, Stan would ride with the police and got interested in Law Enforcement. Stan then started to take pictures of accidents and fires and give them to police. Later, as his interest in police work and his talent for photography grew, Stan went to Photography School and into the photographic supply business specializing in Law Enforcement.
While attending professional photo school in Boston in 1963, Stan took his favorite photo of President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy had been in office for just about three years, and the young President had returned to his home state of Massachusetts for a visit.
Stan caught Kennedy buttoning his overcoat as he left the presidential helicopter and strode across the lawn to examine a site for the John F. Kennedy Library that would be built after his term in office ended. It was a cold, rainy day but Kennedy was smiling broadly as he walked towards the waiting crowd. No one would have guessed that in a little more than a month, the President would be dead at the hand of an assassin.
Stan’s interest in photography grew into a career as he worked his way up in the camera business. But he never lost his love for police work. As the use of digital cameras grew, Stan began equipping police departments with new digital imaging solutions, inventing and fabricating fingerprint adapters now being manufactured by Latentlift.
Today, Stan is one of the leading experts in helping Law Enforcement agencies work faster, better and more effectively with digital imaging solutions, and he manages the first-ever division of Law Enforcement, medical and audio-visual integration for New England’s largest digital imaging equipment retailer, Hunt’s Photo and Video (online at www.wbhunt.com). An associate member of the Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island Chiefs of police, the New England Division of the International Association for Identification (NEDIAI), and the 100 Club in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire, Stan has been instrumental in providing police throughout the Northeast with a wide range of digital imaging products.
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/2009/03/14/Digital-Images-in-Law-Enforcement
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Monday, February 23, 2009
4 Billion for Criminal Justice
On February 17, 2009, the President signed into law H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The bill provides more than $4 billion for state and local law enforcement and for other criminal justice activities that prevent and control crime and improve the criminal justice system.
More Information
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum3/1425.html
More Information
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum3/1425.html
Bob Haig: Author on fire
R.J. (Bob) Haig is one of the reasons I got interested in writing about the Detroit Fire Department.
Haig, a retired DFD captain, fought fires for 30 years, mainly in the 7th Battalion in southwest Detroit, where he grew up. When I met him in the late 1980s, he was the rip-snorting president of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association, Local 344. While I never saw Haig run into a burning house, I knew from conversations he was dedicated to the DFD, and extremely proud of its traditions, members and work in a city with lots of fires. He was a damn good union man, too, which made me like him even more.
Read On
http://www.detroitbookblog.com/2008/05/bob-haig-author.html
Haig, a retired DFD captain, fought fires for 30 years, mainly in the 7th Battalion in southwest Detroit, where he grew up. When I met him in the late 1980s, he was the rip-snorting president of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association, Local 344. While I never saw Haig run into a burning house, I knew from conversations he was dedicated to the DFD, and extremely proud of its traditions, members and work in a city with lots of fires. He was a damn good union man, too, which made me like him even more.
Read On
http://www.detroitbookblog.com/2008/05/bob-haig-author.html
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Public Safety Technology in the News
Area Law Enforcement Ramps Up for Wireless Communication System
The Joplin Globe, (02/01/2009), Derek Spellman
The Jasper County (Mo.) Sheriff's Department is using a portion of a 2007 federal grant for approximately $846,000 to implement the Cornerstone Regional Justice Information System, which will link departments in Jasper and Newton counties. The system will enable participating agencies to compile an areawide database of information that officers can access via computers in their vehicles. The system will provide access to outstanding arrest warrants and/or traffic ticket information on individuals pulled over by officers. The sheriff's departments in Jasper and Newton counties and police departments in Joplin, Carthage, Webb City, Carl Junction, Carterville and the Jasper County Metropolitan area will begin interfacing with each other wirelessly in March 2009.
www.joplinglobe.com/cnhi/joplinglobe/homepage/local_story_032205003.html?keyword=leadpicturestory
Santa Barbara's Parking Enforcement Team Now Using Hi-Tech Tracking System
Santa Barbara Independent, (2/10/2009), Victoria Solorzano
The Santa Barbara Police Department has implemented the use of AutoChalk, a new technology tool that uses photography, lasers and GPS to track parking violations. Installed in one of the city's 10 parking enforcement vehicles, AutoChalk identifies vehicles that have been parked in the same spot for too long. The technology also reads license plates, allowing it to identify repeat offenders and stolen vehicles through the California Law Enforcement Terminal System (CLETS). AutoChalk performs even in foul weather, compared to actual chalk, which often washes off tires. Writing the citations remains up to officers, however.
www.independent.com/news/2009/feb/04/police-get-autochalk/
MethCheck May Be Coming to Floyd
NewsAndTribune, (02/07/09), Chris Morris
Vendor Appriss Inc. has offered a pilot test of its new technology tool, MethCheck, free of charge to the Floyd County (Ind.) Commissioners. MethCheck supposedly makes it easier for pharmacists to keep track of the sale of certain drugs, such as ephedrine or pseudoephedrine,which are used as ingredients in making meth. Indiana law prohibits a person from purchasing more than 3.2 grams of either drug in a seven-day period; federal law states a person cannot purchase more than 9 grams of the two drugs within a seven-day period. Pharmacists must maintain a log book with the customer's name, drug purchased and date it was purchased in order to keep track of the buying activity. With MethCheck, the information is entered into a computer database.
www.newsandtribune.com/local/local_story_038015223.html
Fort Wayne Police Department Gets Donation of Night-Vision Goggles
News Sentinel, (02/10/2009), Nate Hodges and Aaron Organ
ITT Corporation recently donated 20 night-vision goggles to the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Police Department and the Allen County Sheriff's Department, with each department receiving 10 units for training and nighttime operations. Ft. Wayne Police Chief Rusty York said that given the tough economy and the lack of funds for new equipment, he approached ITT about the possibility of a donation, and was pleased with the vendor's response. ITT derives no benefit other than playing a role in making the streets of Ft. Wayne safer.
www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090106/NEWS02/901060338/1001
Northwest Regional Computer Forensics Lab Receives Accreditation
Oregon Public Broadcasting (02/11/2009), Pete Springer
The crime lab that serves the Pacific Northwest has earned accreditation for handling computer and electronic evidence. The Northwest Regional Computer Forensics Lab, which received accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, processes evidence from computers, cell phones and other electronic devices. Police say the lab will accelerate processing of cell phone evidence. The lab, which is in Portland, Ore., is available for agencies in Washington and Oregon.
news.opb.org/article/4253-northwest-regional-computer-forensics-lab-receives-accreditation/
Security Expert: Fight Cyber-Crime Through Procurement
Government Technology, (01/30/2009), Steve Towns
Changes to the public purchasing system may be the government's best weapon against cyber attacks, according to a security specialist. Alan Paller, director of research for the SANS Institute, said state and local governments should include requirements in procurement contracts that make vendors responsible for vulnerable software. He noted that a list released in January of the 25 most dangerous programming errors identifies programming problems that produce security flaws that enable cyber crime. The list was developed by more than 30 national and international security organizations. Governments should demand stronger products and make vendors responsible for product security.
www.govtech.com/gt/614532
Port of Long Beach Fusion Center Opens
Security Management, (01/09/2009, Matthew Harwood
The Port of Long Beach has a new $21 million command and control center for port security that includes a high technology network of sensors and cameras. The center controls cameras, motion sensors and security teams that monitor the port. Some of the port's cameras are powerful enough to allow operators to read the badge numbers of someone standing two miles away. Other cameras have facial recognition technology. The port also has access to private surveillance networks from other organizations. If a sensor is tripped underwater, divers will inspect ship hulls, wharves or pilings.
www.securitymanagement.com/news/port-long-beach-fusion-center-opens-005197
Golden Gate Bridge to Get P25, Wireless Communication Systems
Urgent Communications, (02/1209), Mary Rose Roberts
The Golden Gate Bridge will be getting a new system to improve bridge and public safety communications. The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District awarded a$15.5 million contract to GE Transportation to develop a communications system to integrate transportation and security data used by the bridge and law enforcement agencies. The new system will include a public safety radio communications component and will deploy a P25 digital trunked radio system to enhance communications interoperability between the transit agency and the U.S. Coast Guard, the California Highway Patrol and the U.S. Park Police.
urgentcomm.com/networks_and_systems/news/golden-gate-p25-wireless-system-0212/
NYPD Okays Velcro Handcuffs for Use on Unruly Children
New York Daily News, (02/14/09), Alison Gendar
The New York Police Department will be testing the use of Velcro handcuffs in the city's schools. Beginning in March, officers will use Velcro handcuffs instead of steel models to subdue disturbed or unruly children under age 16. The program will be tested in 22 schools in northern Queens. Police do not expect to use the handcuffs more than once or twice a year.
www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/02/13/2009-02-13_nypd_okays_velcro_handcuffs_for_use_on_u.html
Airport to Get Five Teams of Bomb-Sniffing Dogs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (02/05/2009), Jim Tharpe
The world's busiest airport is about to get a security boost. The Transportation Security Administration is dispatching five canine teams to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The dogs will be trained to detect explosives and will inspect airport cargo facilities. Each team has one dog and one handler. TSA will train and certify more than 300 explosives detection canine teams through this year.
www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2009/02/05/tsa0205.html
The Joplin Globe, (02/01/2009), Derek Spellman
The Jasper County (Mo.) Sheriff's Department is using a portion of a 2007 federal grant for approximately $846,000 to implement the Cornerstone Regional Justice Information System, which will link departments in Jasper and Newton counties. The system will enable participating agencies to compile an areawide database of information that officers can access via computers in their vehicles. The system will provide access to outstanding arrest warrants and/or traffic ticket information on individuals pulled over by officers. The sheriff's departments in Jasper and Newton counties and police departments in Joplin, Carthage, Webb City, Carl Junction, Carterville and the Jasper County Metropolitan area will begin interfacing with each other wirelessly in March 2009.
www.joplinglobe.com/cnhi/joplinglobe/homepage/local_story_032205003.html?keyword=leadpicturestory
Santa Barbara's Parking Enforcement Team Now Using Hi-Tech Tracking System
Santa Barbara Independent, (2/10/2009), Victoria Solorzano
The Santa Barbara Police Department has implemented the use of AutoChalk, a new technology tool that uses photography, lasers and GPS to track parking violations. Installed in one of the city's 10 parking enforcement vehicles, AutoChalk identifies vehicles that have been parked in the same spot for too long. The technology also reads license plates, allowing it to identify repeat offenders and stolen vehicles through the California Law Enforcement Terminal System (CLETS). AutoChalk performs even in foul weather, compared to actual chalk, which often washes off tires. Writing the citations remains up to officers, however.
www.independent.com/news/2009/feb/04/police-get-autochalk/
MethCheck May Be Coming to Floyd
NewsAndTribune, (02/07/09), Chris Morris
Vendor Appriss Inc. has offered a pilot test of its new technology tool, MethCheck, free of charge to the Floyd County (Ind.) Commissioners. MethCheck supposedly makes it easier for pharmacists to keep track of the sale of certain drugs, such as ephedrine or pseudoephedrine,which are used as ingredients in making meth. Indiana law prohibits a person from purchasing more than 3.2 grams of either drug in a seven-day period; federal law states a person cannot purchase more than 9 grams of the two drugs within a seven-day period. Pharmacists must maintain a log book with the customer's name, drug purchased and date it was purchased in order to keep track of the buying activity. With MethCheck, the information is entered into a computer database.
www.newsandtribune.com/local/local_story_038015223.html
Fort Wayne Police Department Gets Donation of Night-Vision Goggles
News Sentinel, (02/10/2009), Nate Hodges and Aaron Organ
ITT Corporation recently donated 20 night-vision goggles to the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Police Department and the Allen County Sheriff's Department, with each department receiving 10 units for training and nighttime operations. Ft. Wayne Police Chief Rusty York said that given the tough economy and the lack of funds for new equipment, he approached ITT about the possibility of a donation, and was pleased with the vendor's response. ITT derives no benefit other than playing a role in making the streets of Ft. Wayne safer.
www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090106/NEWS02/901060338/1001
Northwest Regional Computer Forensics Lab Receives Accreditation
Oregon Public Broadcasting (02/11/2009), Pete Springer
The crime lab that serves the Pacific Northwest has earned accreditation for handling computer and electronic evidence. The Northwest Regional Computer Forensics Lab, which received accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, processes evidence from computers, cell phones and other electronic devices. Police say the lab will accelerate processing of cell phone evidence. The lab, which is in Portland, Ore., is available for agencies in Washington and Oregon.
news.opb.org/article/4253-northwest-regional-computer-forensics-lab-receives-accreditation/
Security Expert: Fight Cyber-Crime Through Procurement
Government Technology, (01/30/2009), Steve Towns
Changes to the public purchasing system may be the government's best weapon against cyber attacks, according to a security specialist. Alan Paller, director of research for the SANS Institute, said state and local governments should include requirements in procurement contracts that make vendors responsible for vulnerable software. He noted that a list released in January of the 25 most dangerous programming errors identifies programming problems that produce security flaws that enable cyber crime. The list was developed by more than 30 national and international security organizations. Governments should demand stronger products and make vendors responsible for product security.
www.govtech.com/gt/614532
Port of Long Beach Fusion Center Opens
Security Management, (01/09/2009, Matthew Harwood
The Port of Long Beach has a new $21 million command and control center for port security that includes a high technology network of sensors and cameras. The center controls cameras, motion sensors and security teams that monitor the port. Some of the port's cameras are powerful enough to allow operators to read the badge numbers of someone standing two miles away. Other cameras have facial recognition technology. The port also has access to private surveillance networks from other organizations. If a sensor is tripped underwater, divers will inspect ship hulls, wharves or pilings.
www.securitymanagement.com/news/port-long-beach-fusion-center-opens-005197
Golden Gate Bridge to Get P25, Wireless Communication Systems
Urgent Communications, (02/1209), Mary Rose Roberts
The Golden Gate Bridge will be getting a new system to improve bridge and public safety communications. The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District awarded a$15.5 million contract to GE Transportation to develop a communications system to integrate transportation and security data used by the bridge and law enforcement agencies. The new system will include a public safety radio communications component and will deploy a P25 digital trunked radio system to enhance communications interoperability between the transit agency and the U.S. Coast Guard, the California Highway Patrol and the U.S. Park Police.
urgentcomm.com/networks_and_systems/news/golden-gate-p25-wireless-system-0212/
NYPD Okays Velcro Handcuffs for Use on Unruly Children
New York Daily News, (02/14/09), Alison Gendar
The New York Police Department will be testing the use of Velcro handcuffs in the city's schools. Beginning in March, officers will use Velcro handcuffs instead of steel models to subdue disturbed or unruly children under age 16. The program will be tested in 22 schools in northern Queens. Police do not expect to use the handcuffs more than once or twice a year.
www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/02/13/2009-02-13_nypd_okays_velcro_handcuffs_for_use_on_u.html
Airport to Get Five Teams of Bomb-Sniffing Dogs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (02/05/2009), Jim Tharpe
The world's busiest airport is about to get a security boost. The Transportation Security Administration is dispatching five canine teams to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The dogs will be trained to detect explosives and will inspect airport cargo facilities. Each team has one dog and one handler. TSA will train and certify more than 300 explosives detection canine teams through this year.
www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2009/02/05/tsa0205.html
Monday, February 16, 2009
Public Safety Technology in the News
Tasers Not Heart Risk, Study Finds
Orlando Sentinel, (1/16/09), Henry Pierson Curtis
A study released by the Annals of Emergency Medicine has found no links between law enforcement use of electro-muscular disruption (EMD) devices (commonly known as "stun guns" or "tasers") and fatal heart attacks. In the course of the study, researchers at five U.S. medical schools reviewed 1,201 incidents in which law enforcement officers used EMDs and found only three in which serious injuries could be tied to their use. The study medically evaluated all of the subjects and found that none showed any irregular heart activity attributable to the electrical charge. The American College of Emergency Physicians reviewed the findings, which involved six law enforcement agencies: Marion County (Fla.), Sheriff's Office, Chandler (Ariz.) Police Department, Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Shreveport (La.) Police Department and the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System, which includes approximately 80 Chicago-area jurisdictions. www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=45037
Hawthorne Officer Invents Low-Tech Crime Tool
NBCLosAngeles.com, (1/19/09)
Hawthorne (Calif.) police officer Rob Storey has created and marketed a device called ClimbAssist, a ladder-like tool that will help get officers over high and difficult fences quickly and quietly. Designed to fit in the back of a patrol car and made of lightweight aluminum, Climb Assist is 55 inches long and weighs less than 16 pounds. It hooks over the top of an otherwise difficult-to-scale fence and then locks into place. An accompanying molded PVC cap can be placed over the top of the fence, protecting officers from injury by spikes and allowing them to sit on top of the fence and pass equipment across, if needed. More than 70 law enforcement agencies have already purchased the device and put it into use.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28649795/
Police Departments Look for More Fuel-Cutting Cars
Associated Press, (1/21/09), Jim Suhr
In the light of increased fuel prices, law enforcement agencies around the country are looking for more efficient alternatives to the traditional low-mileage Ford Crown Victorias often used as patrol cars. Examples include Gulf Breeze, Fla., where Chief Peter Paulding is looking to place electric engines in some of his department's patrol cars; Salt Lake City, which recently put Toyota Camry hybrids on the street; and Chahokia, Ill., where Chief Richard Watson has installed a four-cylinder Pontiac Vibe GT in his fleet. Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Carbon Motors Corp. has designed a prototype patrol vehicle, the E7 (known as the Machine) with a twin-turbo diesel engine that reportedly uses 40 percent less fuel than Crown Victorias. However, this prototype has yet to hit the commercial market.
hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MELTDOWN_POLICE_CARS?SITE=MDHAG&SECTION=OLYMPICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
SQUID: The Long (and Sticky) Arms of the Law
Newswise, (1/16/09)
The Safe Quick Undercarriage Immobilization Device (SQUID), a prototype device for trapping suspect vehicles, resembles a cheese wheel full of holes when closed and a mass of sea-creature tentacles that can entangle a car's axles when deployed. The 1.5-foot-wide disc, developed by Engineering Science Analysis Corporation (ESA) of Tempe, Ariz., was funded by the Small Business Innovation Research Office of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate. Its developers plan to have it commercially available by 2010.
www.newswise.com/articles/view/548162/
New Fingerprint Technology Helps Deputies in Field
KHTUS AM 1220, (1/23/09)
The Santa Clarita Valley (Calif.) Sheriff's Station recently began using nine Cogent Systems BlueCheck mobile identification devices to help with investigation and arrest procedures. The devices include secure wireless fingerprint capability, Bluetooth technology and cellular phone service. The BlueCheck devices permit deputies to perform a rapid fingerprint check of subjects in the field, compare those prints to more than 4 million known prints and potentially receive an identification response within minutes.
www.hometownstation.com/local-news/deputies-santa-clarita-2009-01-22-16-15.html
Authoritative Resources: Four Technology Centers of Excellence
Officer.com, (October 2008), Rebecca Kanable
This article profiles the four NIJ Centers of Excellence (Communications, Forensic Sciences, Sensors, Surveillance and Biometrics, and Weapons and Protective Systems) and the services and programs they offer.
www.officer.com/print/Law-Enforcement-Technology/Authoritative-resources--Four-technology-centers-of-excellence/1$43837
Running Michigan's Gauntlet
Officer.com, (November 2008), Jonathan Kozlowski
The Michigan State Police Vehicle (MSPV) tested police vehicles for acceleration, top speed, braking and dynamics in a series of tests held Sept. 20-22, 2008. Models tested in this year's annual evaluation were three Ford Police Interceptors, the 3.27 and 3.55 models and a non-published law enforcement-only model; two Chevrolet Impalas, the 9C1 and E85; two Chevrolet Tahoes (the only SUV-type vehicle included), 5.7 and E85; Dodge Chargers 3.5 and 5.7; the BMW R1200RTP and G 650 XP; the Harley-Davidson Police Road King and Electra Glide; and the Buell Ulysses XB12XP. The article includes complete test results.
www.officer.com/print/Law-Enforcement-Technology/Running-Michigans-gauntlet/1$44227
The ABCs of PPE
Officer.com, (September 2008), Pamela Mills Senn
James Scanlon, an officer for the Columbus (Ohio) Police Department and co-founder and assistant SWAT team leader of the North American SWAT Training Association (NASTA), talks about the changes in the law enforcement/personal protective equipment field in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The interview specifically focuses on body armor and the need for chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear protection.
www.officer.com/print/Law-Enforcement-Technology/The-ABCs-of-PPE/1$43293
National Auto Fraud and Theft Prevention System Goes Live
U.S. Department of Justice, (01/29/2009)
The U.S. Department of Justice has released an online computer system to provide law enforcement with new tools to investigate fraud, theft and other crimes involving vehicles. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) allows state motor vehicle administrators to verify and exchange titling and brand data and provides law enforcement officials, consumers and others with critical information regarding vehicle histories. Consumers, through third-party, fee-for-service Web sites, will have access to a vehicle's brand history, odometer data and basic vehicle information, and can be redirected to the current state of record to access the full title record if available. Law enforcement professionals can track a vehicle's status from state to state and access the system directly.
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2009/bja09020.htm
Upcoming Events
Technolgy Institute for Law Enforcement, March 15-20, 2009, Annapolis, Maryland
www.justnet.org/Pages/RecordView.aspx?itemid=1857
Law Enforcement and Forensics Applied Technology Conference, April 15-17, 2009, Kansas City, Missouri
www.justnet.org/Pages/RecordView.aspx?itemid=1866
NIJ Technology Institute for Rural Law Enforcement, May 3-7, 2009, Coronado (San Diego), California
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/events/rural-institute.htm
10th Annual Innovative Technologies for Community Corrections Conference, June 1-3, 2009, San Diego, CA
Crime Mapping Research Conference,
August 2009
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/maps/
New Releases
TechBeat, Fall 2008
www.justnet.org/Pages/TechBeatIssue.aspx?issue=Fall+2008
Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes www.dna.gov/training/property-crime/
Orlando Sentinel, (1/16/09), Henry Pierson Curtis
A study released by the Annals of Emergency Medicine has found no links between law enforcement use of electro-muscular disruption (EMD) devices (commonly known as "stun guns" or "tasers") and fatal heart attacks. In the course of the study, researchers at five U.S. medical schools reviewed 1,201 incidents in which law enforcement officers used EMDs and found only three in which serious injuries could be tied to their use. The study medically evaluated all of the subjects and found that none showed any irregular heart activity attributable to the electrical charge. The American College of Emergency Physicians reviewed the findings, which involved six law enforcement agencies: Marion County (Fla.), Sheriff's Office, Chandler (Ariz.) Police Department, Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Shreveport (La.) Police Department and the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System, which includes approximately 80 Chicago-area jurisdictions. www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=45037
Hawthorne Officer Invents Low-Tech Crime Tool
NBCLosAngeles.com, (1/19/09)
Hawthorne (Calif.) police officer Rob Storey has created and marketed a device called ClimbAssist, a ladder-like tool that will help get officers over high and difficult fences quickly and quietly. Designed to fit in the back of a patrol car and made of lightweight aluminum, Climb Assist is 55 inches long and weighs less than 16 pounds. It hooks over the top of an otherwise difficult-to-scale fence and then locks into place. An accompanying molded PVC cap can be placed over the top of the fence, protecting officers from injury by spikes and allowing them to sit on top of the fence and pass equipment across, if needed. More than 70 law enforcement agencies have already purchased the device and put it into use.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28649795/
Police Departments Look for More Fuel-Cutting Cars
Associated Press, (1/21/09), Jim Suhr
In the light of increased fuel prices, law enforcement agencies around the country are looking for more efficient alternatives to the traditional low-mileage Ford Crown Victorias often used as patrol cars. Examples include Gulf Breeze, Fla., where Chief Peter Paulding is looking to place electric engines in some of his department's patrol cars; Salt Lake City, which recently put Toyota Camry hybrids on the street; and Chahokia, Ill., where Chief Richard Watson has installed a four-cylinder Pontiac Vibe GT in his fleet. Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Carbon Motors Corp. has designed a prototype patrol vehicle, the E7 (known as the Machine) with a twin-turbo diesel engine that reportedly uses 40 percent less fuel than Crown Victorias. However, this prototype has yet to hit the commercial market.
hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MELTDOWN_POLICE_CARS?SITE=MDHAG&SECTION=OLYMPICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
SQUID: The Long (and Sticky) Arms of the Law
Newswise, (1/16/09)
The Safe Quick Undercarriage Immobilization Device (SQUID), a prototype device for trapping suspect vehicles, resembles a cheese wheel full of holes when closed and a mass of sea-creature tentacles that can entangle a car's axles when deployed. The 1.5-foot-wide disc, developed by Engineering Science Analysis Corporation (ESA) of Tempe, Ariz., was funded by the Small Business Innovation Research Office of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate. Its developers plan to have it commercially available by 2010.
www.newswise.com/articles/view/548162/
New Fingerprint Technology Helps Deputies in Field
KHTUS AM 1220, (1/23/09)
The Santa Clarita Valley (Calif.) Sheriff's Station recently began using nine Cogent Systems BlueCheck mobile identification devices to help with investigation and arrest procedures. The devices include secure wireless fingerprint capability, Bluetooth technology and cellular phone service. The BlueCheck devices permit deputies to perform a rapid fingerprint check of subjects in the field, compare those prints to more than 4 million known prints and potentially receive an identification response within minutes.
www.hometownstation.com/local-news/deputies-santa-clarita-2009-01-22-16-15.html
Authoritative Resources: Four Technology Centers of Excellence
Officer.com, (October 2008), Rebecca Kanable
This article profiles the four NIJ Centers of Excellence (Communications, Forensic Sciences, Sensors, Surveillance and Biometrics, and Weapons and Protective Systems) and the services and programs they offer.
www.officer.com/print/Law-Enforcement-Technology/Authoritative-resources--Four-technology-centers-of-excellence/1$43837
Running Michigan's Gauntlet
Officer.com, (November 2008), Jonathan Kozlowski
The Michigan State Police Vehicle (MSPV) tested police vehicles for acceleration, top speed, braking and dynamics in a series of tests held Sept. 20-22, 2008. Models tested in this year's annual evaluation were three Ford Police Interceptors, the 3.27 and 3.55 models and a non-published law enforcement-only model; two Chevrolet Impalas, the 9C1 and E85; two Chevrolet Tahoes (the only SUV-type vehicle included), 5.7 and E85; Dodge Chargers 3.5 and 5.7; the BMW R1200RTP and G 650 XP; the Harley-Davidson Police Road King and Electra Glide; and the Buell Ulysses XB12XP. The article includes complete test results.
www.officer.com/print/Law-Enforcement-Technology/Running-Michigans-gauntlet/1$44227
The ABCs of PPE
Officer.com, (September 2008), Pamela Mills Senn
James Scanlon, an officer for the Columbus (Ohio) Police Department and co-founder and assistant SWAT team leader of the North American SWAT Training Association (NASTA), talks about the changes in the law enforcement/personal protective equipment field in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The interview specifically focuses on body armor and the need for chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear protection.
www.officer.com/print/Law-Enforcement-Technology/The-ABCs-of-PPE/1$43293
National Auto Fraud and Theft Prevention System Goes Live
U.S. Department of Justice, (01/29/2009)
The U.S. Department of Justice has released an online computer system to provide law enforcement with new tools to investigate fraud, theft and other crimes involving vehicles. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) allows state motor vehicle administrators to verify and exchange titling and brand data and provides law enforcement officials, consumers and others with critical information regarding vehicle histories. Consumers, through third-party, fee-for-service Web sites, will have access to a vehicle's brand history, odometer data and basic vehicle information, and can be redirected to the current state of record to access the full title record if available. Law enforcement professionals can track a vehicle's status from state to state and access the system directly.
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2009/bja09020.htm
Upcoming Events
Technolgy Institute for Law Enforcement, March 15-20, 2009, Annapolis, Maryland
www.justnet.org/Pages/RecordView.aspx?itemid=1857
Law Enforcement and Forensics Applied Technology Conference, April 15-17, 2009, Kansas City, Missouri
www.justnet.org/Pages/RecordView.aspx?itemid=1866
NIJ Technology Institute for Rural Law Enforcement, May 3-7, 2009, Coronado (San Diego), California
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/events/rural-institute.htm
10th Annual Innovative Technologies for Community Corrections Conference, June 1-3, 2009, San Diego, CA
Crime Mapping Research Conference,
August 2009
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/maps/
New Releases
TechBeat, Fall 2008
www.justnet.org/Pages/TechBeatIssue.aspx?issue=Fall+2008
Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes www.dna.gov/training/property-crime/
Friday, February 13, 2009
HUNT’S PHOTO AND VIDEO BECOMES DEALER FOR CUTTING-EDGE CRIME FIGHTING IMAGING SYSTEMS
(MELROSE) – Massachusetts law enforcement agencies have a new partner in the fight against crime: Hunt’s Photo and Video.
The Melrose-based digital imaging equipment retailer, New England’s largest, has recently been named a registered dealer for two revolutionary products that eliminate errors and dramatically enhance the accuracy of the booking and interviewing process.
SmartShot™ from Hunter Systems Group, Inc. of Marshfield enables law enforcement agencies to create uniform mugshot photos that comply with national governmental standards. Comprising a camera, , mounting hardware, and software, the SmartShot™ system automates the picture-taking process and eliminates common errors in pose, lighting, background, depth of field, pixel size, compression algorithm, aspect ratio and more. In addition, the easy-to-use SmartShot™ can be readily integrated into existing records management systems or stand alone with its own state-of-the-art management system.
SmartShot™’s new capabilities take the guesswork out of creating reliable, usable mugshots, says Stan Goldberg, sales manager for Law Enforcement, Medical and Audio Visual integration at Hunt’s.
“SmartShot™ makes every officer a mugshot pro,” he explains. “It produces high quality photos that can be blown up to any size and standardizes head and shoulder photos so you’ll never again hear a defense attorney say, ‘My client’s picture was different than the others and that’s why he or she got picked.’ It’s a way to level the field for both law enforcement agencies and the people who get arrested.”
SmartShot also save time and simplifies operation. “The officer just hits a button on the computer and the photo is stored right into a mugshot folder,” Goldberg says. “You don’t even have to take the card out of the camera.”
Available in New England exclusively through Hunt’s Photo and Video, SmartShot™ is affordably priced for the needs of small and large law enforcement agencies.
CASECRACKER SYSTEM CREATES RELIABLE VIDEO RECORDS
OF SUSPECT INTERVIEWS
Hunt’s new role as a registered dealer of the CaseCracker Interview management System will increase accountability and trust in police departments throughout New England.
The easy-to-use digital video recording and management tool from Cardinal Peak of Colorado provides clear, dependable visual documentation of suspect interviews so jurors can see exactly how a person looked and acted during questioning.
The CaseCracker’s user-friendly operating system also provides ready access and review so investigators can instantly return to any point in the recording after the interview has ended. “This is a great feature that saves precious time when officers are searching for important information,” Goldberg says. “It allows them to go back and find exactly what they need even in long interviews.”
Handwritten interview notes also are eliminated with the CaseCracker’s computerized note-taking system. “It frees officers from the distraction of writing by allowing them to type in their comments during the interview,” Goldberg explains. “The interviewers are able to focus more fully on the subject and what is being said rather than note-taking.” In addition, the CaseCracker enables other investigators to discreetly prompt the primary interviewer without interrupting the session’s flow. The CaseCracker’s simple to use, reliable system protects officers from claims of misconduct, coercion or abuse.
Goldberg, a longtime expert in designing and delivering cutting-edge digital imaging and interview room solutions for law enforcement, says the new CaseCracker and SmartShop™ systems will broaden Hunt’s horizons.
“Hunt’s has always been a premier imaging equipment supplier. Now we’re putting systems together and selling law enforcement solutions. It will be put us in a whole different business environment,” he says.
To find out more about SmartShot™ and the CaseCracker Interview Management System, contact Goldberg at sgoldberg@wbhunt.com, 781-662-8822, or 617-680-4627.
ABOUT HUNT’S PHOTO AND VIDEO
Hunt’s Photo and Video is the largest specialty retailer of photo, video and digital imaging products in New England. Family owned and operated for three generations, Hunt’s is headquartered in Melrose, MA, with branches in Boston, Cambridge and Hadley, MA, Providence, RI, So. Portland, ME, and Manchester, NH.
Serving beginners, students, hobbyists and professional photographers throughout the United States, Hunt’s has created its own picture of success with competitive pricing, sales expertise and exceptional customer service. Visit Hunt’s online at www.huntsphotoandvideo.com.
The Melrose-based digital imaging equipment retailer, New England’s largest, has recently been named a registered dealer for two revolutionary products that eliminate errors and dramatically enhance the accuracy of the booking and interviewing process.
SmartShot™ from Hunter Systems Group, Inc. of Marshfield enables law enforcement agencies to create uniform mugshot photos that comply with national governmental standards. Comprising a camera, , mounting hardware, and software, the SmartShot™ system automates the picture-taking process and eliminates common errors in pose, lighting, background, depth of field, pixel size, compression algorithm, aspect ratio and more. In addition, the easy-to-use SmartShot™ can be readily integrated into existing records management systems or stand alone with its own state-of-the-art management system.
SmartShot™’s new capabilities take the guesswork out of creating reliable, usable mugshots, says Stan Goldberg, sales manager for Law Enforcement, Medical and Audio Visual integration at Hunt’s.
“SmartShot™ makes every officer a mugshot pro,” he explains. “It produces high quality photos that can be blown up to any size and standardizes head and shoulder photos so you’ll never again hear a defense attorney say, ‘My client’s picture was different than the others and that’s why he or she got picked.’ It’s a way to level the field for both law enforcement agencies and the people who get arrested.”
SmartShot also save time and simplifies operation. “The officer just hits a button on the computer and the photo is stored right into a mugshot folder,” Goldberg says. “You don’t even have to take the card out of the camera.”
Available in New England exclusively through Hunt’s Photo and Video, SmartShot™ is affordably priced for the needs of small and large law enforcement agencies.
CASECRACKER SYSTEM CREATES RELIABLE VIDEO RECORDS
OF SUSPECT INTERVIEWS
Hunt’s new role as a registered dealer of the CaseCracker Interview management System will increase accountability and trust in police departments throughout New England.
The easy-to-use digital video recording and management tool from Cardinal Peak of Colorado provides clear, dependable visual documentation of suspect interviews so jurors can see exactly how a person looked and acted during questioning.
The CaseCracker’s user-friendly operating system also provides ready access and review so investigators can instantly return to any point in the recording after the interview has ended. “This is a great feature that saves precious time when officers are searching for important information,” Goldberg says. “It allows them to go back and find exactly what they need even in long interviews.”
Handwritten interview notes also are eliminated with the CaseCracker’s computerized note-taking system. “It frees officers from the distraction of writing by allowing them to type in their comments during the interview,” Goldberg explains. “The interviewers are able to focus more fully on the subject and what is being said rather than note-taking.” In addition, the CaseCracker enables other investigators to discreetly prompt the primary interviewer without interrupting the session’s flow. The CaseCracker’s simple to use, reliable system protects officers from claims of misconduct, coercion or abuse.
Goldberg, a longtime expert in designing and delivering cutting-edge digital imaging and interview room solutions for law enforcement, says the new CaseCracker and SmartShop™ systems will broaden Hunt’s horizons.
“Hunt’s has always been a premier imaging equipment supplier. Now we’re putting systems together and selling law enforcement solutions. It will be put us in a whole different business environment,” he says.
To find out more about SmartShot™ and the CaseCracker Interview Management System, contact Goldberg at sgoldberg@wbhunt.com, 781-662-8822, or 617-680-4627.
ABOUT HUNT’S PHOTO AND VIDEO
Hunt’s Photo and Video is the largest specialty retailer of photo, video and digital imaging products in New England. Family owned and operated for three generations, Hunt’s is headquartered in Melrose, MA, with branches in Boston, Cambridge and Hadley, MA, Providence, RI, So. Portland, ME, and Manchester, NH.
Serving beginners, students, hobbyists and professional photographers throughout the United States, Hunt’s has created its own picture of success with competitive pricing, sales expertise and exceptional customer service. Visit Hunt’s online at www.huntsphotoandvideo.com.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
NLECTC-Northeast's Central New York Cybercrime Seminar
The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center Northeast Region (NLECTC-NE) is proud to present a Seminar entitled "A Roadmap for the 21st. Century Cybercrime Fighter, NLECTC-NE's Central NY Cybercrime Seminar. This Seminar will take place on 18 February 2009 at the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center in Utica, NY and will feature several local subject matter experts from the NLECTC-NE, the New York State Police and Utica College. These experts will present the latest cutting edge cybercrime trends and techniques relating to forensics, search warrants, evidence collection, network investigations, wireless threats and legal issues.
Additionally, the NLECTC-NE will be digitally recording this Seminar and it will be made available for on-demand viewing shortly after the Seminar on the 18th. Details on that will follow the seminar. To attend, please contact Dori Placito at 1-888-338-0584 by 13 February 2009. Seating is on a first come basis and limited to 70.
If you have any questions about the Seminar, please contact Robert DeCarlo at 315-330-2489 or 315-838-7071.
Additionally, the NLECTC-NE will be digitally recording this Seminar and it will be made available for on-demand viewing shortly after the Seminar on the 18th. Details on that will follow the seminar. To attend, please contact Dori Placito at 1-888-338-0584 by 13 February 2009. Seating is on a first come basis and limited to 70.
If you have any questions about the Seminar, please contact Robert DeCarlo at 315-330-2489 or 315-838-7071.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Crime and Justice Solicitation
Funding amounts for this year's NIJ Crime and Justice Research solicitation have increased and are oriented around strategic objectives.
We're looking for innovative proposals in the areas of: predicting changes in crime; human trafficking; terrorism with a special focus on radicalization pathways and programs to interdict financial support; preventing gang crime; improving prosecution and defense in the United States; and identifying specific components of successful re-entry programs.
We will also consider precedent-setting ideas that fall outside of these strategic objectives. Such proposals should break new ground on issues of key significance to policy and practice.
Up to $10 million may be available. As always, the questions your research answers should have clear implications for criminal justice policy and practice.
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000869.pdf
We're looking for innovative proposals in the areas of: predicting changes in crime; human trafficking; terrorism with a special focus on radicalization pathways and programs to interdict financial support; preventing gang crime; improving prosecution and defense in the United States; and identifying specific components of successful re-entry programs.
We will also consider precedent-setting ideas that fall outside of these strategic objectives. Such proposals should break new ground on issues of key significance to policy and practice.
Up to $10 million may be available. As always, the questions your research answers should have clear implications for criminal justice policy and practice.
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000869.pdf
Friday, February 06, 2009
Solicitation: Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement
Solicitation: Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement
All applications are due March 23 2009, 11:59 p.m. eastern time.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. NIJ solicits applications to inform its search for the knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice.
With this solicitation, NIJ is seeking proposals from States and units of local government for projects to improve the efficiency and capacity of public forensic DNA laboratories through the development and adoption of an improved laboratory process. Eligible public forensic DNA laboratories may submit proposals for projects that will increase capacity to meet the mission-critical needs of these laboratories within the scope of this solicitation. Priority consideration will be given to proposals that involve novel or innovative solutions and/or have the potential to affect the entire DNA forensic community. NIJ’s objective is to publish successful, carefully evaluated, and novel efficiency improvement methodologies as models to be considered by other public forensic laboratories.
This solicitation will not fund proposals seeking to support efficiency and capacity enhancement projects that would duplicate projects eligible for support and planned to be supported under the FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program.
The due date for applying for funding under this announcement is March 23 2009, 11:59 p.m. eastern time.
Within 24 to 48 hours after submitting your electronic application, you should receive an e-mail validation message from Grants.gov. The validation message will tell you if the application has been received and validated or if it has been rejected, and why.
Important: You are urged to submit your application at least 72 hours prior to the due date of the application to allow time to receive the validation message and to correct any problems that may have caused the rejection notification.
For a copy of the solicitation go to www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000867.pdf
For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact Mark S. Nelson, Senior Program Manager, at 202–616–1960 or Mark.S.Nelson@usdoj.gov or Minh Nguyen, Program Manager, at 202–305–2664 or Minh.Nguyen@usdoj.gov.
This application must be submitted through Grants.gov. For technical assistance with submitting the application, call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1–800–518– 4726 or send an e-mail to support@grants.gov.
All applications are due March 23 2009, 11:59 p.m. eastern time.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. NIJ solicits applications to inform its search for the knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice.
With this solicitation, NIJ is seeking proposals from States and units of local government for projects to improve the efficiency and capacity of public forensic DNA laboratories through the development and adoption of an improved laboratory process. Eligible public forensic DNA laboratories may submit proposals for projects that will increase capacity to meet the mission-critical needs of these laboratories within the scope of this solicitation. Priority consideration will be given to proposals that involve novel or innovative solutions and/or have the potential to affect the entire DNA forensic community. NIJ’s objective is to publish successful, carefully evaluated, and novel efficiency improvement methodologies as models to be considered by other public forensic laboratories.
This solicitation will not fund proposals seeking to support efficiency and capacity enhancement projects that would duplicate projects eligible for support and planned to be supported under the FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program.
The due date for applying for funding under this announcement is March 23 2009, 11:59 p.m. eastern time.
Within 24 to 48 hours after submitting your electronic application, you should receive an e-mail validation message from Grants.gov. The validation message will tell you if the application has been received and validated or if it has been rejected, and why.
Important: You are urged to submit your application at least 72 hours prior to the due date of the application to allow time to receive the validation message and to correct any problems that may have caused the rejection notification.
For a copy of the solicitation go to www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000867.pdf
For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact Mark S. Nelson, Senior Program Manager, at 202–616–1960 or Mark.S.Nelson@usdoj.gov or Minh Nguyen, Program Manager, at 202–305–2664 or Minh.Nguyen@usdoj.gov.
This application must be submitted through Grants.gov. For technical assistance with submitting the application, call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1–800–518– 4726 or send an e-mail to support@grants.gov.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
NIJ's Communications Technology (CommTech)
March 16-20 in Las Vegas, Nevada
NIJ's CommTech program will participate and exhibit at the upcoming International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) in Las Vegas, Nevada to be held March 16-20, 2009. NIJ's CommTech program will be conducting a panel presentation on Wednesday, March 18th from 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm titled:
Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice/CommTech R&D Efforts:
Providing the Communication Tools of Tomorrow
Moderator
Joseph Heaps, Deputy Chief, Information Sensor Technologies Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice
Panelists
Charles W. Bostian, Alumni Distinguished Professor, Wireless @ Virginia Tech, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech;
Jim Martin, Associate Professor, School of Computing, Clemson University;
Ahmed Eltawil, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California Irvine.
Panel Description: Communications is a key issue for public safety. This panel will discuss research and development efforts sponsored by the National Institute of Justice in the areas of cognitive radio, software defined radio (SDR) and broadband technologies for public safety, as well as the potential of future technologies to address communication requirements. Specifically, this panel will provide an overview of the NIJ CommTech program and what the program offers public safety agencies who solicit assistance. Additionally, panelists will address CommTech's current communications and interoperability projects targeting the use of WiMAX, VoIP and SDR.
About the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) CommTech Program
NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice and is dedicated to researching crime control and justice issues. NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the State and local levels. NIJ is addressing the issue of public safety communications technologies through its CommTech program, which focuses on many aspects of first responder communications operability (Is the technology in place and working?) and interoperability (Can multiple agencies communicate when and where they need to?).
CommTech aims to raise the awareness of communications issues through education and outreach so that policymakers and public safety leaders can make informed and cost effective decisions.
About IWCE
The IWCE Conference will be held from March 16 - March 20, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Exhibit Hall will be open March 18th, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, March 19th, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and March 20th, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
For more information regarding NIJ's CommTech program please stop by booth # 1716 during the IWCE Conference.
For more information regarding IWCE please visit the IWCE web site at: www.iwceexpo.com/iwce2009/public/MainHall.aspx?ID=11256.
NIJ's CommTech program will participate and exhibit at the upcoming International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) in Las Vegas, Nevada to be held March 16-20, 2009. NIJ's CommTech program will be conducting a panel presentation on Wednesday, March 18th from 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm titled:
Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice/CommTech R&D Efforts:
Providing the Communication Tools of Tomorrow
Moderator
Joseph Heaps, Deputy Chief, Information Sensor Technologies Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice
Panelists
Charles W. Bostian, Alumni Distinguished Professor, Wireless @ Virginia Tech, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech;
Jim Martin, Associate Professor, School of Computing, Clemson University;
Ahmed Eltawil, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California Irvine.
Panel Description: Communications is a key issue for public safety. This panel will discuss research and development efforts sponsored by the National Institute of Justice in the areas of cognitive radio, software defined radio (SDR) and broadband technologies for public safety, as well as the potential of future technologies to address communication requirements. Specifically, this panel will provide an overview of the NIJ CommTech program and what the program offers public safety agencies who solicit assistance. Additionally, panelists will address CommTech's current communications and interoperability projects targeting the use of WiMAX, VoIP and SDR.
About the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) CommTech Program
NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice and is dedicated to researching crime control and justice issues. NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the State and local levels. NIJ is addressing the issue of public safety communications technologies through its CommTech program, which focuses on many aspects of first responder communications operability (Is the technology in place and working?) and interoperability (Can multiple agencies communicate when and where they need to?).
CommTech aims to raise the awareness of communications issues through education and outreach so that policymakers and public safety leaders can make informed and cost effective decisions.
About IWCE
The IWCE Conference will be held from March 16 - March 20, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Exhibit Hall will be open March 18th, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, March 19th, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and March 20th, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
For more information regarding NIJ's CommTech program please stop by booth # 1716 during the IWCE Conference.
For more information regarding IWCE please visit the IWCE web site at: www.iwceexpo.com/iwce2009/public/MainHall.aspx?ID=11256.
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
Monday, February 02, 2009
Solicitation: Technology Research and Development for Law Enforcement and Corrections Application
All applications are due March 2, 2009, 11:59 p.m. eastern time
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. NIJ solicits applications to inform its search for the knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice.
NIJ seeks applications for research and development leading to the adoption into practice by law enforcement and corrections agencies of technologies and devices providing:
- Improved means to confirm an individual's identity.
- Improved situational awareness.
- Improved means to locate and track cooperative or noncooperative individuals.
- Improved data analysis tools.
- Improved means to detect contraband.
The due date for applying for funding under this announcement is March 2, 2009, 11:59 p.m. eastern time.
Within 24 to 48 hours after submitting your electronic application, you should receive an e-mail validation message from Grants.gov. The validation message will tell you if the application has been received and validated or if it has been rejected, and why.
For a copy of the solicitation go to www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000862.pdf
For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact Chris Tillery, Associate Deputy Director for Science and Technology, at 202–305–9829 or george.tillery@usdoj.gov.
This application must be submitted through Grants.gov. For technical assistance with submitting the application, call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1–800–518– 4726 or send an e-mail to support@grants.gov
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. NIJ solicits applications to inform its search for the knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice.
NIJ seeks applications for research and development leading to the adoption into practice by law enforcement and corrections agencies of technologies and devices providing:
- Improved means to confirm an individual's identity.
- Improved situational awareness.
- Improved means to locate and track cooperative or noncooperative individuals.
- Improved data analysis tools.
- Improved means to detect contraband.
The due date for applying for funding under this announcement is March 2, 2009, 11:59 p.m. eastern time.
Within 24 to 48 hours after submitting your electronic application, you should receive an e-mail validation message from Grants.gov. The validation message will tell you if the application has been received and validated or if it has been rejected, and why.
For a copy of the solicitation go to www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000862.pdf
For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact Chris Tillery, Associate Deputy Director for Science and Technology, at 202–305–9829 or george.tillery@usdoj.gov.
This application must be submitted through Grants.gov. For technical assistance with submitting the application, call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1–800–518– 4726 or send an e-mail to support@grants.gov
Friday, January 30, 2009
Measuring Justice: Justice Sector Evaluation & Human Rights
A conference by the International Human Rights Network
Date: Friday 26th June 2009
Venue: National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland
Purpose
Measuring justice is a priority for a wide range of individuals and institutions. It is central to enhancing good governance including rule of law, combating corruption, addressing impunity and building effective, accountable justice sector reform. The purpose of this IHRN conference is to facilitate the pooling of evaluation experience, to identify best practice and lessons for the future, with particular reference to measuring human rights impact.
Format
The day will combine plenary panel discussions with sub-group sessions on selected themes. Discussion will be facilitated by an IHRN concept paper circulated in advance.
Topics
Plenary discussions and sub-group sessions will explore a range of topics in light of the interface between best practice evaluation and human rights based approaches.
Abstracts are invited for sub-group discussions (to a maximum of 500 words) in areas such as the following:
Case studies (potentially transferable lessons from economically developed/developing country contexts; as well as conflict/transitional justice contexts); Institution-specific evaluation (such as police, prosecution, judiciary, corrections) & sectoral approaches; Methodologies & tools (qualitative/ quantitative benchmarks & indicators, Log Frame; Analysis, relationship between sector evaluation & monitoring/oversight functions); and, Cross-cutting issues.
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.ihrnetwork.org/international-conference-2009_231.htm
Date: Friday 26th June 2009
Venue: National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland
Purpose
Measuring justice is a priority for a wide range of individuals and institutions. It is central to enhancing good governance including rule of law, combating corruption, addressing impunity and building effective, accountable justice sector reform. The purpose of this IHRN conference is to facilitate the pooling of evaluation experience, to identify best practice and lessons for the future, with particular reference to measuring human rights impact.
Format
The day will combine plenary panel discussions with sub-group sessions on selected themes. Discussion will be facilitated by an IHRN concept paper circulated in advance.
Topics
Plenary discussions and sub-group sessions will explore a range of topics in light of the interface between best practice evaluation and human rights based approaches.
Abstracts are invited for sub-group discussions (to a maximum of 500 words) in areas such as the following:
Case studies (potentially transferable lessons from economically developed/developing country contexts; as well as conflict/transitional justice contexts); Institution-specific evaluation (such as police, prosecution, judiciary, corrections) & sectoral approaches; Methodologies & tools (qualitative/ quantitative benchmarks & indicators, Log Frame; Analysis, relationship between sector evaluation & monitoring/oversight functions); and, Cross-cutting issues.
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.ihrnetwork.org/international-conference-2009_231.htm
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
California DOJ invests in 3D crime-scene laser scanners to support forensic crime scene investigation
After seeing first-hand how the Leica Geosystems ScanStation 2 can be deployed to quickly measure and model extensive indoor and outdoor mass casualty mock crime scenes, the California Department of Justice's Bureau of Forensic Services (BFS) moved quickly to purchase two Leica ScanStation 2 high speed, high definition 3D laser scanning systems from Leica Geosystems.
As the scientific arm of the California Attorney General’s Office, BFS forensic scientists collect, analyze, and compare physical evidence from crime scenes or persons for state and local law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, and the courts. The Bureau of Forensic Services operates a network of full-service laboratories in 10 regional services areas in California. Over 45 criminalists will be trained how to use the scanners to gather crime scene data.
Jill Spriggs, Chief of the Department of Justice BFS, says, “The Leica Geosystems Scan Station 2 will provide immediate value for our forensic teams in that they can quickly gather highly accurate data at crime scenes. The Scan Station 2 documents, diagrams and measures the crime scenes prior to evidence being removed from the scene. This is a tremendous time savings for criminalists out in the field. Information gathered from the Scan Station 2 can be used to reconstruct the crime scene later back at the laboratory."
Developed for versatility and productivity, the mobile laser scanner platform is able to collect 50,000 measurements per second enabling crime scene investigators to “freeze the scene in time.” Criminalists will use the Leica ScanStation 2 to photograph and laser scan (measure) a crime scene. An embedded high-resolution digital camera within ScanStation 2 provides detectives with valuable photos of the scene that can be used to aid in scanning and in data processing. Once gathered, the scanning software produces diagrams, scene reconstructions and other important documentation necessary to every crime scene investigation.
Spriggs adds, “Most importantly the scan data has been validated for forensic work and passed admissibility hearings in court."
The California Department of Justice is the third law enforcement agency in California to select the Leica joining the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department which own eight Leica scanners between them.
“Leica’s 3D laser scanning systems are being adopted by more and more law enforcement agencies who recognize that bringing our scanning technology to bear on a case sends a powerful message to everyone that all possible care is being taken to find the truth,” said Tony Grissim, Forensic Account Manager for Leica Geosystems. “The traffic we are seeing on our forensic web site at http://www.leica-geosystems.com/us/forensic, tells us that interest in our solution is keen, especially since it started being showcased on A&E’s “Crime 360” program. “Crime 360” had the largest audience for a series premiere in A&E history for a criminal justice program.”
The Leica ScanStation 2 can be used for forensic mapping at crash and homicide scenes, officer involved shootings, bomb/arson investigations and can also support a department’s homeland security mission.
Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information.
Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3’500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.
For further information please contact:
Leica Geosystems Inc.
Andre Ribeiro
Director of Marketing
Atlanta, GA 30092
United States
Phone: +1 (770) 326-9557
Fax: +1 (770) 447-0710
Andre.ribeiro@leicaus.com
www.leica-geosystems.us
As the scientific arm of the California Attorney General’s Office, BFS forensic scientists collect, analyze, and compare physical evidence from crime scenes or persons for state and local law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, and the courts. The Bureau of Forensic Services operates a network of full-service laboratories in 10 regional services areas in California. Over 45 criminalists will be trained how to use the scanners to gather crime scene data.
Jill Spriggs, Chief of the Department of Justice BFS, says, “The Leica Geosystems Scan Station 2 will provide immediate value for our forensic teams in that they can quickly gather highly accurate data at crime scenes. The Scan Station 2 documents, diagrams and measures the crime scenes prior to evidence being removed from the scene. This is a tremendous time savings for criminalists out in the field. Information gathered from the Scan Station 2 can be used to reconstruct the crime scene later back at the laboratory."
Developed for versatility and productivity, the mobile laser scanner platform is able to collect 50,000 measurements per second enabling crime scene investigators to “freeze the scene in time.” Criminalists will use the Leica ScanStation 2 to photograph and laser scan (measure) a crime scene. An embedded high-resolution digital camera within ScanStation 2 provides detectives with valuable photos of the scene that can be used to aid in scanning and in data processing. Once gathered, the scanning software produces diagrams, scene reconstructions and other important documentation necessary to every crime scene investigation.
Spriggs adds, “Most importantly the scan data has been validated for forensic work and passed admissibility hearings in court."
The California Department of Justice is the third law enforcement agency in California to select the Leica joining the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department which own eight Leica scanners between them.
“Leica’s 3D laser scanning systems are being adopted by more and more law enforcement agencies who recognize that bringing our scanning technology to bear on a case sends a powerful message to everyone that all possible care is being taken to find the truth,” said Tony Grissim, Forensic Account Manager for Leica Geosystems. “The traffic we are seeing on our forensic web site at http://www.leica-geosystems.com/us/forensic, tells us that interest in our solution is keen, especially since it started being showcased on A&E’s “Crime 360” program. “Crime 360” had the largest audience for a series premiere in A&E history for a criminal justice program.”
The Leica ScanStation 2 can be used for forensic mapping at crash and homicide scenes, officer involved shootings, bomb/arson investigations and can also support a department’s homeland security mission.
Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information.
Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3’500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.
For further information please contact:
Leica Geosystems Inc.
Andre Ribeiro
Director of Marketing
Atlanta, GA 30092
United States
Phone: +1 (770) 326-9557
Fax: +1 (770) 447-0710
Andre.ribeiro@leicaus.com
www.leica-geosystems.us
Monday, January 26, 2009
Surviving Boot Camp
On February 20, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion Sergeant Michael Volkin, USA, the author of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook, on Surviving Boot Camp.
Program Date: February 20, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Surviving Boot Camp
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/02/21/Surviving-Boot-Camp
About the Guest
Sergeant Michael Volkin is a U.S. Army veteran. He served in Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom as a Chemical Operations Specialist and received an Army Commendation Medal for his efforts and for the fitness programs he designed to help his fellow soldiers. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. In addition to being in the Army Reserves, Michael works as a Real Estate Broker in California. Michael Volkin is the author of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook.
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/2009/02/21/Surviving-Boot-Camp
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Program Date: February 20, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Surviving Boot Camp
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/02/21/Surviving-Boot-Camp
About the Guest
Sergeant Michael Volkin is a U.S. Army veteran. He served in Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom as a Chemical Operations Specialist and received an Army Commendation Medal for his efforts and for the fitness programs he designed to help his fellow soldiers. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. In addition to being in the Army Reserves, Michael works as a Real Estate Broker in California. Michael Volkin is the author of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook.
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/2009/02/21/Surviving-Boot-Camp
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Badge of Life
On February 13, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion Sergeant Andy O’Hara, California Highway Patrol (ret.), Executive Director of The Badge of Life.
Program Date: February 13, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: The Badge of Life
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/02/14/The-Badge-of-Life
About the Badge of Life
According to The Badge of Life, they “are a group of active and retired police officers from the United States and Canada who are victims of trauma-related injuries from our law enforcement service. We have suffered the worst that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) brings—the hopelessness, the despair, the flashbacks, the attempts at suicide, the nightmares and insomnia, the panicky hypervigilence, anxiety and terror. Among us are victims of both critical incident and cumulative PTSD.
Our personal experiences are varied and representative of what occurs in police work—shootings, violent attacks, the loss of fellow officers, near-death experiences, helplessly watching the death of a child, and more. We were drawn together out of a determination to help others avoid our fate. With the help of experts in the field like John Violanti, PhD (author of Police Suicide, Epidemic in Blue and Under the Blue Shadow), Dr. Janak Mehtani, an expert on PTSD and Catherine Leon, LCSW, who has worked extensively with PTSD and law enforcement, we began to set a path.
We found that many departments still lack adequate suicide prevention programs. We found many departments have excellent programs—but limit themselves to suicide awareness and prevention. Our program came after long discussion and research--and the realization that, in the search for complex answers, we were all missing the simple solutions! Thus came about the Badge of Life program--a common sense approach to law enforcement stress and trauma that stunned even us by its utter simplicity.
About the Guest
Sergeant Andy O'Hara, California Highway Patrol (ret.) is a military veteran and the Executive Director of The Badge of Life. According to Sergeant O’Hara, he “spent his last day of law enforcement sitting on the bedroom floor with his gun, trying to decide whether to shoot himself in the mouth or side of the head. Hospitalized twice with the effects of his post traumatic stress, he has written on this topic and spoken to numerous groups about the importance of this new program. Through those presentations, he has realized how well received and effective the message truly is. He is a member of the California Peer Support Association, the International Police Association and works as a peer volunteer with the West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat.
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/2009/02/14/The-Badge-of-Life
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Program Date: February 13, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: The Badge of Life
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/02/14/The-Badge-of-Life
About the Badge of Life
According to The Badge of Life, they “are a group of active and retired police officers from the United States and Canada who are victims of trauma-related injuries from our law enforcement service. We have suffered the worst that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) brings—the hopelessness, the despair, the flashbacks, the attempts at suicide, the nightmares and insomnia, the panicky hypervigilence, anxiety and terror. Among us are victims of both critical incident and cumulative PTSD.
Our personal experiences are varied and representative of what occurs in police work—shootings, violent attacks, the loss of fellow officers, near-death experiences, helplessly watching the death of a child, and more. We were drawn together out of a determination to help others avoid our fate. With the help of experts in the field like John Violanti, PhD (author of Police Suicide, Epidemic in Blue and Under the Blue Shadow), Dr. Janak Mehtani, an expert on PTSD and Catherine Leon, LCSW, who has worked extensively with PTSD and law enforcement, we began to set a path.
We found that many departments still lack adequate suicide prevention programs. We found many departments have excellent programs—but limit themselves to suicide awareness and prevention. Our program came after long discussion and research--and the realization that, in the search for complex answers, we were all missing the simple solutions! Thus came about the Badge of Life program--a common sense approach to law enforcement stress and trauma that stunned even us by its utter simplicity.
About the Guest
Sergeant Andy O'Hara, California Highway Patrol (ret.) is a military veteran and the Executive Director of The Badge of Life. According to Sergeant O’Hara, he “spent his last day of law enforcement sitting on the bedroom floor with his gun, trying to decide whether to shoot himself in the mouth or side of the head. Hospitalized twice with the effects of his post traumatic stress, he has written on this topic and spoken to numerous groups about the importance of this new program. Through those presentations, he has realized how well received and effective the message truly is. He is a member of the California Peer Support Association, the International Police Association and works as a peer volunteer with the West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat.
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/2009/02/14/The-Badge-of-Life
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tracking Police Suicides 2008
The results were revealing. We found, following necessary adjustments for variables, there were 141 police suicides in the US during 2008. This result is in keeping with current credible research, CDC and NOMS data, and other information available in the field today. Further, testing of our data against blind sources and data gathered by non-media sources, we found solid confirmation of our findings.
READ ON
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum30/1404.html
READ ON
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum30/1404.html
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