BIG RAPIDS – The Big Rapids City Commission passed a resolution during its Aug. 12 meeting approving an intergovernmental agreement between the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office and the Ferris State University Department of Public Safety.
The interstate agreement provides for the hiring of a joint officer to serve on the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Big Rapids Police Chief Danielle Haynes told the panel that the need for law enforcement officers trained in digital forensic analysis is growing and that many investigations involve digital evidence from cell phones and/or computers. It takes a long time to obtain this type of evidence because agencies that don’t have their own analysts turn the devices over to a state computer crimes unit.
“The state police prioritize them depending on the type of case,” she said. “So a homicide investigation is at the top of the list and a minor theft of property is at the bottom. And then we have to wait because we don’t have anyone on that team, because those who are part of the team also have priority.”
Haynes said local law enforcement has begun discussing the possibility of assigning an officer to a task force and is working toward implementing it. After several lengthy conversations, they believe they have a plan to better serve local agencies and communities with a joint officer assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
“The officer would work two days a week in Grand Rapids with the CAC unit there, receiving training and equipment and working on investigations for the Child Task Force,” Haynes said. “When he’s not there, he would be housed in our department, working on investigations involving cell phones, computers and anything that contains that type of data.”
The Michigan State Police and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force have joined with law enforcement agencies to create an interagency working group aimed at combating crimes against children that involve computers, digital media and other internet-related information technologies, she said.
As a member, the authorities can provide investigative assistance on indications of Internet crime against children. The members of the task force work together at a regional location.
A benefit of being part of the Task Force is the opportunity to develop the skills and equipment required for digital forensic analysis and investigations.
“If we had access to the equipment and someone trained to do it, we could do a lot more,” Haynes said. “This is a great way to get that training to someone on the ground.”
Under the agreement, the three agencies will jointly manage and fund the employee, who will be assigned to the ICAC TF and will receive specialized law enforcement training from the Michigan State Police and the U.S. Department of Justice.
During the meeting, the Board also approved the following:
The Big Rapids City Commission meets on the first and third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Big Rapids City Hall, 226 Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. For more information, visit cityofbr.org.
