HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #03 Approval of Memorandum of Understanding to Join Internet Crimes Against Children Central FL Task Force the t enter of Good Iry
AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
Meeting Date: April 19, 2011
Item # j
Reviewed By: /
Contact Name: S. Goclon Department Director: Charles J. Br n
Contact Number: X3027 City Manager: Rob Frank
Subject: Approval: Memorandum of Understanding to join the Internet Crimes Against Children Central
Florida Task Force
Background Summary:
The City of Ocoee Police Department has the opportunity to become a participating member in the Internet
Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Central Florida Task Force and is requesting permission to sign and enter into
a Memorandum of Understanding with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies to allow a trained task
force investigator to actively participate in investigating and dismantling sources of Internet child pornography
operating within the city limits of Ocoee. With the advent of the Internet and rapid advancement of computers
and technology, criminals are able to victimize children in an environment that affords them almost complete
anonymity. Their ability to cross jurisdictions in a medium which is technologically advancing faster than law
enforcement agencies can keep up requires a multi jurisdictional and multi- agency approach. This task force
helps increase the effectiveness and efficiency of investigations and prosecutions of Internet and technological
crimes in Central Florida by providing resources such as expertise, training, equipment, and investigative and
prosecutorial support. Task force membership does not require an officer be assigned full -time. An officer from
the Ocoee Police Department, who already conducts such investigations, will provide support and assistance
when requested by other task force members. Foley and Lardner have reviewed this agreement.
Issue:
Should the Honorable Mayor and the Board of City Commissioner authorize the Ocoee Police Department to
enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Internet Crimes Against Children Central Florida Task
Force?
Recommendations:
Staff recommends that the Honorable Mayor and the Board of City Commissioner authorize the Ocoee Police
Department to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Internet Crimes Against Children Central
Florida Task Force.
Attachments:
Memorandum of Understanding
Financial Impact:
The Department may receive computers, software, training, and other resources to assist with investigations as a
result of task force membership and may be called upon to assist other member agencies.
Type of Item: (please mark with an "x ")
Public Hearing For Cleric's Dept Use:
Ordinance First Reading Consent Agenda
Ordinance Second Reading Public Hearing
Resolution Regular Agenda
x Commission Approval
Discussion & Direction
Original Document/Contract Attached for Execution by City Clerk
Original Document/Contract Held by Department for Execution
Reviewed by City Attorney Paul Rosenthal 4- 2- ; 2011 N/A
Reviewed by Finance Dept. k�'N N/A
Reviewed by () N/A
2
FSD
• INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN CENTRAL FLORIDA TASK F l i r ? E
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING //
GC `„/1 _
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is the recipient of a United States Department of
Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) grant to enforce
laws regarding Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), and the Polk County Sheriff's
Office utilizes this grant to administer and operate the Central Florida ICAC Task Force.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered between the Polk County
Sheriff's Office and
(Department Name)
PURPOSE
The purpose of this MOU is to formalize working relationships between
participating agencies to achieve maximum cooperation in a combined law enforcement
effort aimed at combating Internet and technology crimes against children in the State of
Florida and nationwide. By signing the MOU, participants are agreeing to join the ICAC
Central Florida Task Force for the purpose of promoting a coordinated effort in
investigating and prosecuting said crimes. This MOU is not intended and should not be
construed, to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable by law or
otherwise, by any third party against the parties, the United States, or the officers,
employees, agents, or other associated personnel thereof.
JCAC CENTRAL FLORIDA TASK FORCE
With the advent of the Internet and the rapid advancement of computers and
technology, criminals are able to victimize adults, children, businesses, organizations, etc.
in an environment that affords them complete anonymity. This ability to cross jurisdictions
in a medium which is advancing in technology faster than law enforcement agencies can
keep up, and the cost in keeping up with these technological advances in an environment
which is subject to budget constraints, requires a multi jurisdictional and multi- agency
approach.
The ICAC Central Florida Task Force has been created to address these issues and
participate locally and nationally in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of
investigations and prosecutions of Internet and technology crimes in Central Florida by
providing such resources as expertise, investigative and prosecutorial support, training, and
equipment.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
JCAC Central Florida Task Force goals are to increase the effective response to
cyber enticement and child pornography investigations and prosecutions and to increase
public awareness and prevention of ICAC offenses.
Page 1 of 4
• INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN CENTRAL FLORIDA TASK FO ' A
= B 174 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CSl# GCS `A
ICAC Central Florida Task Force objectives are to: (1) Increase the investigative
capabilities of law enforcement officers in the detection and investigation of ICAC
offenses; (2) Increase the apprehension of ICAC offenders; (3) Conduct proactive and
reactive ICAC investigations; (4) Increase the number of ICAC state and federal offenses
being prosecuted in Central Florida; (5) Create a multi- agency task force response to ICAC
offenses; and (6) Develop and deliver ICAC public awareness and prevention programs.
POLICY AND DIRECTION
All participants acknowledge that the Central Florida Task Force is a joint
operation in which all agencies act as allies. The chain of command and supervision of the
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Special Investigations, Computer Crimes Unit is
responsible for the policy and general direction of the Task Force. The Task Force
coordinator will periodically contact supervisors and investigators from other participating
agencies to keep them informed of training opportunities, unusual circumstances, problems
and successes of the Task Force.
The policy and direction of ICAC Central Florida Task Force will be consistent
with and governed by its goals and objectives. Activities of the ICAC Task Force are
further governed by the Operational and Investigative Standards of the United States
Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Affiliate
agencies must understand and comply with the standards. These standards are proprietary
to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. A copy of the standards has
been provided to each participating agency executing the agreement by the Polk County
Sheriffs Office.
SELECTION AND RETENTION OF PERSONNEL
ICAC personnel should have good investigative skills, court testimony skills,
ability to handle sensitive information prudently, and a genuine interest in the protection of
children.
Due to the graphic nature of evidence encountered in ICAC investigations,
supervisors are encouraged to make reasonable efforts to ensure that all assigned officers
have access to Employee Assistance Programs for mental health concerns.
CASE MANAGEMENT
ICAC Central Florida Task Force affiliate supervisors should be familiar with the
Case Predication and Prioritization in the ICAC Operational and Investigative Standards.
ICAC Central Florida Task Force affiliate supervisors are responsible for determining
investigative priorities and selecting cases for investigation.
Page 2 of 4
• INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN CENTRAL FLORIDA TASK F f ' •
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FSD
CYBERTIP INVESTIGATIONS Ges
The CyberTipline is Congressionally mandated as a reporting mechanism for cases
of child sexual exploitation including child pornography, online enticement of children for
sex acts, molestation of children outside the family, sex tourism of children, child victims
of prostitution, and unsolicited obscene material sent to a child.
Polk County Sheriff s Office is the clearinghouse for the Cybertips that occur in
Central Florida and disseminate these investigations to the appropriate agencies with
Jurisdiction.
ICAC Central Florida Task Force affiliates are required to investigate these reactive
investigations and report back to ICAC Central Florida Task Force Coordinator the status
of these investigations.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
It is understood that any confidential information pertaining to investigations of
Internet and technology crimes will be held in the strictest confidence, and will only be
shared with participating ICAC Central Florida Task Force affiliates or other law
enforcement agencies where necessary, with the approval of the agency that authored the
record or produced the information or as otherwise required by federal or Florida law. Any
confidential information disclosed to ICAC Central Florida Task Force affiliates or other
law enforcement agencies shall be disclosed in a manner consistent with protections
afforded under federal and/or Florida law.
E VIDENCE
Seized evidence, the examination of computers and digital media, and any other
related forfeitures, will be handled in a manner consistent with the policies of the case
agent's agency.
Child Pornography is contraband and should be maintained pursuant to each
agency's policies. It is recommended that absent a court order specifically ordering
otherwise, evidence containing child pornography shall not be released to any defendant or
representative thereof.
Transfer of evidence containing child pornography among law enforcement shall be
done in a secure manner. Methods may be hand - delivery or delivery via a service which
tracks the shipment or methods consistent with agency policy and practices.
Page 3 of 4
INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN CENTRAL FLORIDA TASK FSD �_ 1 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
CSS r� GCS
RECORDS AND REPORTS
Each task force member will maintain their own agency records and reports. To the
extent possible, all investigative information will be available to each of the participating
law enforcement agencies as it pertains to investigations of Internet and technology crimes
with the approval of the agency that authored the record or report.
All affiliates will report their monthly activity to the ICAC Central Florida Task
Force coordinator by the 10 of each month using the ICAC Monthly Performance
Measures Report.
ICAC EOUIPMENT
ICAC computers and software shall be reserved for the exclusive use of agency
designated ICAC personnel.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Task Force member will coordinate all press releases /announcements with the other
involved agencies.
1VIODIFICATIONS TO AGREEMENT
This agreement may be modified upon the mutual written agreement of the parties.
TERM OF AGREEMENT
The agreement shall be effective on , 20 continue until
such time as federal funding for the grant ends or the agreement is canceled by either party
upon written notice delivered to both agency directors.
Entered this day of 20
Department Name
Dep ent Autho 'zed Si e/Title
J.
Polk ounty Sheriff s Office / Ctral Florida ICAC Task Force Authorized Official
(0/2Z _.
Date
Page 4 of 4
