WHEREAS, the Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) Program was created by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 1995 as a response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime that plagues neighborhoods and communities throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recognizes that the MET Program assists local law enforcement by identifying major drug traffickers and organizations that commit violent crimes; collecting, analyzing, and sharing intelligence with state and local counterparts; cultivating investigations against violent drug offenders and gangs; arresting drug traffickers and assisting in the arrests of violent offenders and gangs; seizing the assets of violent drug offenders and gangs; and providing support to federal, state, and local prosecutors; and

WHEREAS, since 1995, DEA has completed over 480 MET deployments throughout the United States, which have made a significant contribution to the reduction of drug and violent crimes, including over 20,000 arrests and asset seizures totaling over 39 million dollars; and

WHEREAS, since 1995, MET teams have seized over 2,800lbs of cocaine, 1,300lbs of methamphetamine, 240lbs of heroin, and 11,900lbs of marijuana; and

WHEREAS, in FY 2005, 41% of all MET cases initiated involved methamphetamine; and

WHEREAS, in FY 2006, MET teams have successfully disrupted 21 methamphetamine trafficking organizations, dismantled 14, and arrested 619 individuals (Figures as of 3rd Quarter FY 2006); and

WHEREAS, much of the violent crime, gang activity and property crime in America is associated with drug trafficking, manufacturing, or use; and

WHEREAS, the MET Program has proven itself to be an invaluable resource for cooperative federal, state, and local anti-crime policing strategies.

WHEREAS, the MET Program includes pre-deployment assessments of the problem, including identification of the drug trafficking individuals and organizations, as well as post-deployment evaluation, which has consistently demonstrated an overwhelmingly positive response from the law enforcement community and public; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police strongly urges Congress to maintain full funding for the MET Program at the FY 2006 funding level.