WHEREAS, the Environmental Crimes Committee of The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has been actively engaged in training for the recognition and response to environmental crime; and

WHEREAS, the Environmental Crimes Committee recognizes that environmental crime is often a crime of economic opportunity; and

WHEREAS, the Environmental Crimes Committee recognizes that the victims of environmental crime are generally those people with less economic opportunity; and

WHEREAS, the Environmental Crimes Committee recognizes that all people have the right to be protected against environmental crime; and

WHEREAS, the Environmental Crimes Committee recognizes the critical role that law enforcement officers play in anti-environmental crimes programs and effective environmental justice initiatives, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the IACP strongly urges law enforcement agencies to train their officers for the recognition of and response to environmental crimes; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Environmental Protection Agency should expand state and local law enforcement assistance programs by continuing to allocate all available resources in support of investigations, which establish the connection between environmental crime and environmental justice; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP calls on the governments of all nations to support efforts to promote environmental justice.