2019 IACP Leadership Awards Blog Series: Investigations
Over the next several blogs, the International Association of Chiefs of Police will recognize the 2019 IACP Leadership Award Winners, who have made meaningful contributions to both their communities, and law enforcement as a whole. Their achievements are representative of the incredible leadership displayed by police organizations across the globe.
This blog will focus on Investigations. Awards for Investigations recognize individuals and agencies that exemplify the management and investigation of multifaceted criminal cases through innovative techniques, contributing to the advancement of the art and science of criminal investigations.
IACP Chief David Cameron Leadership in Environmental Crimes Award
The IACP Chief David Cameron Leadership in Environmental Crimes Award recognizes excellence in environmental crimes enforcement and education by law enforcement agencies. This award is designed to recognize agencies and multi-agency collaborations that have improved their communities through recent environmental crimes prevention, investigation, and enforcement.
Local Agency
Sarasota, Florida, Police Department
Every year in Sarasota, the city co-sponsors a powerboat regatta through the waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival takes place during the Independence Day holiday and Lido Key is the primary viewing area for this event, which is also the peak nesting weekend for the five species of marine turtles that nest on Florida beaches. All five species of marine turtles are threatened or endangered species, and the increased maritime and beach spectator traffic from the festival has been shown to significantly impact the turtles, leading to a complete abandonment of nesting activity during the festival period. Additionally, the Black Skimmer, a threatened bird, also nests on Lido Key during that time. Through partnerships with Mote Marine, Audubon of Florida, and Save Our Seabirds, the SPD launched a “Share the Beach” initiative to provide beach and maritime security and over-watch operations to ensure that festival activity was not interfering with the nesting activity on Lido Key. The collaboration has resulted in the complete restoration of full marine turtle nesting activity during the event and a Black Skimmer nesting colony that is one of the largest in the state of Florida.
Federal Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Operation Broken Glass was a criminal investigation led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, which focused on the most prolific dealers and fishermen of American juvenile eels known as “elvers.” It was initiated in response to wide-scale poaching on the eastern seaboard and the subsequent unlawful elver export from the United States to East Asia. Sixteen state and federal partners worked together on the investigation. The undercover operations for this investigation are complete and it is currently in the prosecution phase. All of the defendants in the case were charged with violations of the Lacey Act and were responsible for over $7 million in illegal elver sales. To date, 22 defendants have plead guilty to Lacey Act violations resulting in total incarceration and probation of over 50 years and total restitution and fines of over $300,000.
IACP/Parsons August Vollmer Leadership in Forensic Science Award
The IACP/Parsons August Vollmer Leadership in Forensic Science Award recognizes the proactive, innovative use of forensic technologies by law enforcement agencies and units. Exemplary programs will demonstrate how new forensic technologies advance criminal investigations and enable agencies to strengthen their evidence collection and analysis.
Dubai Police General Headquarters, United Arab Emirates
The Dubai Police developed a forensic technique called RM-Yplex multiplex assay to better inform their investigative processes. This technique amplifies 13 rapidly mutating Y chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STR). The RM-Yplex allows male DNA profiling to result in a much higher power of discrimination with more than 99% of male individualization. Previously developed tools would, in most cases, have a maximum power of discrimination of 85%. This technique has not only provided improvements in the accuracy of the process itself but also in cost-effectiveness. The tool has contributed to solving over 724 cases by the end of 2018, including 12 homicide cases and 712 sexual assault cases. Dubai Police have also been able to cut costs by as much as $321,000 by the end of 2018 alone.
IACP/Thomson Reuters Excellence in Criminal Investigations Award
The IACP/Thomson Reuters Excellence in Criminal Investigations Award recognizes exceptional innovation in managing and conducting criminal investigations, with the goal of sharing information to advance the art and science of criminal investigations.
Dubai Police General Headquarters, United Arab Emirates
The Dubai Police created Smart Police Stations where individuals can report crimes even if there is not an officer physically present. When a complainant arrives at the station, they enter their personal identity card in the ID reader. A duty officer is immediately able to see their personal details and live video at the Smart Police Station starts on the screens. The investigator can ask questions about the complaint and records the statement, after which the citizen is requested to sign electronically. The complaint is then electronically sent to the appropriate station to complete the process. The Smart Police Stations provide enclosed, private reporting areas, allowing victims to feel comfortable reporting criminal activity. The process has increased efficiency by allowing for quick searches of information. This streamlined approach has also helped both victims and investigators by making it extremely easy to address criminal reports. The process has increased efficiency by allowing for quick searches of information.
IACP/Leonardo Leadership in the Prevention of Vehicle Crimes Award
The IACP/Leonardo Leadership in the Prevention of Vehicles Crimes Award recognizes outstanding achievement in preventing vehicle theft and crimes. Exemplary programs will showcase the connection between vehicle crime and subsequent violent crime. Nominated agencies will be evaluated on initiative, use of available resources, and overall results allowing agencies to share how they successfully curbed vehicle theft in their jurisdiction.
East Texas Auto Theft Task Force
The East Texas Auto Theft Task Force (ETATTF) is comprised of five participating jurisdictions. The ETATTF has highly trained auto crime investigators who develop professional relationships with law enforcement agencies and officers through educating officers and investigators on stolen vehicle recognition and identification. During the previous fiscal year, ETATTF investigators conducted 8 Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) accredited courses for 295 students. The courses focus primarily on recognition of stolen vehicles and theft trends in the area and include practical exercises. In 2018, task force investigators investigated 671 vehicle crimes cases. These include cases such as the unauthorized use of a vehicle, title and registration frauds, insurance fraud, theft, arson, and organized crime. During the same period, task force investigators made 84 arrests and filed 81 criminal cases.