Rhode Island Fusion Center Success Story
Rhode Island State Police have announced an arrest resulting from a federal bulletin received on Nov. 27, 2006 by the newly created Rhode Island State Fusion Center, an excellent example of the collaboration of various law enforcement agencies to strengthen homeland security. The bulletin from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Operations Center pertained to a student enrolled in a local tractor-trailer training school who was displaying reportedly suspicious behavior while attempting to obtain a commercial driver's license and a permit to haul hazardous cargo. The man was turned over to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and will be held in custody until a hearing is held at an Immigration Court in Boston within the next few weeks.
"Joint Investigation Leads to the Arrest of an Individual Engaged in Suspicious Activity Relating to Homeland Security," Rhode Island state news release, 8 Dec. 2006
New Playbook Revealed by New Jersey State Police
New Jersey State Police have announced their adoption of a new playbook for policing, becoming the first agency to fully institutionalize the theory of intelligence-led policing developed by Dr. Jerry Ratcliffe of Temple University. Key to the New Jersey State Police intelligence gathering process is the Statewide Intelligence Management System (SIMS), a database usable by any qualified law enforcement agency in New Jersey. It interfaces with external databases to provide a comprehensive search for information linked to crimes.
Jason Tsai, “State police try new way to connect crime dots,” The Record (Bergen County, N.J.), 7 Dec. 2006: A1
DNA Cold Hit in Texas
A DNA cold hit produced as a result of Houston Police Department cold case investigative work has led to an arrest in a Feb. 14, 1985 rape and murder case. The registered sex offender identified by the FBI Laboratory's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) match is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in Texas for an unrelated crime.
Mike Glenn, “DNA match from 1985 rape, strangling points to inmate,” The Houston (Texas) Chronicle, 8 Dec. 2006
Massachusetts Towns Get Federal Grant to Improve Information Sharing
A $500,000 federal grant will enable police in five Massachusetts towns to improve regional information sharing via their cruiser laptops. Officers in Ashburnham, Lunenburg, Shirley, Westminster and Winchendon will soon have online access to criminal records from Fitchburg, Gardner and Leominster via a database project initiated with a $375,000 federal grant two years ago.
Mary Jo Hill, “Grant gives high-tech boost to 5 towns' police,” Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.), 6 Dec. 2006: B3
National Baseline Survey on Interoperability
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the results of a nationwide survey of first responders and law enforcement that assesses progress in achieving interoperable communications. The national interoperability baseline survey was issued to 22,400 randomly selected law enforcement, fire response, and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, and confirms that roughly two-thirds of emergency response agencies across the nation use interoperable communications at varying degrees.
"National Baseline Survey Findings Show Significant Levels of Interoperability Across the Nation," DHS news release, 8 Dec. 2006
Connecticut Town Gets Grant for School Cameras
To improve school safety, the Easton (Conn.) Police Department is outfitting the town's two schools with digital video monitoring and recording systems. The purchase will be made with a U.S. Justice Department grant and 50% in matching town funds.
Tony Spinelli, "Easton police cameras to watch schools," Connecticut Post (Bridgeport), 7 Dec. 2006
