CPC.010.a07

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs has as one of its stated objectives to advance the science and art of police services; and

WHEREAS, every police agency is charged with the duty to assure the public sense of safety and security that, in turn, affects the quality of life of its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, the FBI estimates that somewhere in the United States one vehicle is stolen every 23 seconds; and

WHEREAS, without considering the cost of associated damage to recovered stolen vehicles, law enforcement, court administration, injuries, and damage to other property, the estimated loss value exceeded $9 billion in 2004; and

WHEREAS, conservative estimates by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) indicated that 10 percent of all vehicle theft reports are fraudulent; and

WHEREAS, many vehicle theft rings are composed of organized crime operatives who provide large sums of money for career criminals to fund other illegal activities; and

WHEREAS, current studies show that only 14 percent of all reported thefts are cleared by arrest; and

WHEREAS, public awareness is needed to support the training of law enforcement officers and prosecutors in the detection, investigation, and prosecution of vehicle theft and related crimes; and

WHEREAS, such public support and awareness has resulted in the creation of vehicle theft authorities that have improved the control and decrease of vehicle theft activities; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 114th Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, hereby encourages every police executive to embrace the creation of antivehicle theft committees or vehicle theft prevention authorities that are supported with independent and ongoing funding sources set by statute and at a level commensurate with the needs of each state; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that given the international nature of vehicle theft, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) hereby encourages every police executive in all nations to embrace the creation of antivehicle theft committees or vehicle theft prevention authorities to adopt similar measures to combat vehicle theft in their respective countries; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP develops and implements an aggressive strategy to educate the public, train police personnel, and develop technical assistance for the detection and prevention of vehicle theft.