Critical Agency Issue Paper
Name
Institution
Introduction
Multijurisdictional crime suppression task forces have proved to be efficient in reduction in crime rate in many areas around the world. According to Reno et al Interagency and multijurisdictional activities include specialized units full dedicated to investigation and prosecution of specific crimes that the teams a created to tackle within a specific geographical location. Such cooperation involves use of state-of-art surveillance technologies as well as refined data collection and analysis equipment (Farmer et al, 2003).
Statement of the problem
Narcotics relate crimes also go hand in hand with gang crimes. Hand either of the crimes requires handling the second crime or the twin crime. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (2011) the regional gangs in the country have increased their involvement with drug trafficking organization, national and international gangs. As such, trafficking drug trafficking is not only a crime by a source of crimes such as violent gangs and organized crimes.
Proposed solution
The best solution in handling these crimes is creating a Multijurisdictional crime suppression task force than is solely dedicate in fighting and reducing narcotics and gang related crimes. Multijurisdictional crime suppression task force will have units consisting members from various crime prevention department which will work together to seek reduction of narcotic crimes. The task force will use sophisticated data collection and analysis equipment and state-of-art surveillance to monitor suspected criminals and their activities. The Multijurisdictional crime suppression task force will include Tactical Narcotics Strike Team, probation and parole officers, and prosecutors. The units involve should have joint training sessions to unsure cohesion in the task force and sharing of vision and objective. And will be headed by a three member management team comprising a sergeant, a prosecutor and a probation officer.
Rational for the collaborative approach
The main aim is to develop proactive strategies for narcotics law enforcement by creating strategies and approaches that will be effective in handling narcotic crime in many jurisdictions. No single approach is effective in handling narcotics crimes; however some approaches are more effective than others depending on the jurisdiction (Olson, et al. 2002). Similarly, some agencies may be effective in handling the problem in specific jurisdictions than others. The collaboration of various strategies and agencies ensure creation of a versatile team with the capability of handling crime in multiple justifications. I emphasis this collaborative approach because the teams are actively involved in prevent on crimes in the country. The involved agencies hold critical potential and information concerning crime that can be used to stamp out narcotics related crimes. The involvement of these teams will be designed to enhance the efforts of the local narcotic law agencies through sharing of information, targeting criminals, coordinating efforts, and increasing resources as well as minimizing economical burden that would be incurred by one tome working on it own.
Identification, description of partner agencies and their responsibilities
Technical Narcotics Strike Team
The Technical Narcotics Strike Team is basically a law enforcement team created to specifically deal with narcotic crimes. Each team shall consist 32 officers and 4 canines. The team will be headed by a commander and two team leaders. It will have four sergeants, four detectives, four corporals and fifteen patrolmen and arrest officers and two paramedics.
Responsibilities
This team will be charge with the responsibility of finding clues and pursuing them. The team will investigate suspects arrest them, collect evidence and present the criminals to courts for prosecution and provide prosecutors with the necessary evidence to prosecute the suspects. This team will also respond to critical incidents such as standoffs created by armed or potential armed individuals, hostage incidents, risky warrant arrests, and protection of critical witnesses. The team will have special equipment for handling patrols, investigations and evidence. They will also have surveillance equipment to monitor suspected criminals. This team will liaison with the local communities, local sheriffs, prosecutors and probation agencies. In sum this unit will perform law enforcement activities (Dewitt, 1991).
Prosecutors
This team will include district attorneys. The team will have a lead three lead prosecutors and six assistant prosecutors. It will also have two administrative assistants and three detectives.
Responsibility
This team will be charged with examining the evidence collected by the Technical Narcotics Strike Team. When it find the evidence collected sufficient to prosecute the criminals the prosecutors will file for a court hearing to prosecute and punish the suspects (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001). The detectives in this teach will collaborate with the Technical Narcotics Strike Team in investigating criminals and collecting evidence.
Probation and Parole officers
This unit will include 5 probation officers and 5 parole officers. These officers will receive special training on narcotics and collaboration with Technical Narcotics Strike Team and the prosecution team.
Responsibility
Probation and Parole officers will collaborate with the Strike team and prosecution team to help identify individuals who meet the criteria for participation in narcotics related crimes. These officers will assist the strike team in investigation, serving search warrants for narcotics related crimes and investigate growing marijuana growing and distributing suspects (Drug Task Force, n.d.). They will further supervise convicts of felony and misdemeanor drug offenses that fail to qualify for diversion programs. The probation officers will ensure that convicts comply with court orders. This includes monitoring the progress of offenders who are under treatment on in rehabilitation programs. They will also refer offender to job assistance services and visit the offenders randomly at their homes or work place. They will also administer drug test to the offenders randomly (Drug Task Force, n.d.).
Potential problems/conflicts and suggested solutions
As International Association of Fire Chiefs, Inc. (1989) reported establishment of multijurisdictional teams face several challenges. In establishing this team, two challenges are likely to be encountered; training of all the members is the toughest problem. Member of the team may have other obligation elsewhere which may limit their availability for training. Limited funds and difficulties in scheduling may further strain training opportunities. This problem can however be handled by liaison with the mother agencies of the member to lease the members for training at specific times.
The allegiances member to their mother units may also influence their commitment to the task force. To overcome this problem, the leadership of the task force must incorporate support for all the mother units of the teams involved to build multiagency support or commitment.
Conclusion
Multijurisdictional crime prevention teams are normally efficient in dealing with crimes. These teams bring on board extensive expertise and skills that are beyond the shortcoming of a single team working individually. With the cases of narcotic and gang crime increasing a Multijurisdictional crime prevention teams is the best solution in curbing these growth.
References
Dewitt, C. N. (1991). Multijurisdictional Drug Law Enforcement Strategies: Reducing Supply And Demand. DIANE Publishing
Drug Task Force. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mariposacounty.org/index.aspx?NID=699
Farmer, Y. et al. (2003). Evaluation of multi-jurisdictional drug task forces in California. Sacramento: California State University.
International Association of Fire Chiefs, Inc. (1989). Establishing an Arson Strike Force. Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Olson, D. et al. (2002). New Approaches and Techniques for Examining and Evaluating Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Forces in Illinois. Chicago: Loyola University.
Reno, J. et al. (1999). Urban Street Gang Enforcement. Washington: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs.
U.S. Department of Justice (2001). FY 2011 Budget Request: Reduce the Threat, Incidence and Prevalence of Violent Crime and Drug Trafficking.
