Use of Stimulus Package Funds to Support Drug Task Forces

Submitted by: Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee

NDD.009.a09

WHEREAS, the United States Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, was enacted on February 13, 2008, providing for the allocation to the states of approximately 3.8 billion dollars for law enforcement related purposes; and

WHEREAS, $2 billion of the stimulus funding has been set aside to fund the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants which provide help to prevent, fight, and prosecute crime; and

WHEREAS, an additional $40 million has been set aside for programs that provide assistance and equipment to local law enforcement along the Southern border or in High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas to combat criminal narcotic activity; and

WHEREAS, federal law enforcement agencies in partnership with local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies are on the front lines in combating international and domestic drug trafficking organizations; and

WHEREAS, the problems presented by the unprecedented flow of drugs into this country by international criminal syndicates and the continued production and distribution of drugs within the United States continues to be a threat in most areas of the United States; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 116th Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, strongly urges the continued funding allotted by the Economic Stimulus Act to fully fund state, local and tribal, and multi-jurisdictional drug task forces so that law enforcement may continue to effectively combat the destructive effects of drug crime in our communities.

WHEREAS, funding for technology and other initiatives has always been a challenge for state police and highway patrol agencies; and

WHEREAS, federal funding assistance has helped state police and highway patrol agencies meet this challenge; and

WHEREAS, federal grants that have been provided to state police and highway patrol agencies have always been spent judiciously and used to the advantage of their full constituencies, the citizens of the jurisdictions, the states they serve, and other law enforcement agencies within those jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, the traditional mission of state police and highway patrol agencies has been to provide service, protection, and enforcement for its constituent citizens and to provide assistance, backup, technological support, training, and supplemental manpower to local law enforcement agencies within their states and jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, heretofore state police and highway patrol agencies have been ineligible for federal Block Grant funding; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police Division of State and Provincial Police does hereby support and urge that all future Block Grant funding include state police and highway patrol agencies as eligible recipients.

Adopted at the 120th Annual Conference

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2013

Recognition of Law Enforcement Concerns in Immigration Reform Discussion

Submitted by: Division of State Associations of Chiefs of Police

SACOP.t0024.2013

WHEREAS, proposals to reform the immigration system and polices of the United States are under consideration by federal elected officials; and,

WHEREAS, this national issue is really a very local one, and local police leaders face a growing set of immigration-related duties in the face of scarce and narrowing resources.

WHEREAS, immigration and border security issues directly impact on the safety of communities and the security of the Nation; and,

WHEREAS, for these reasons, it is imperative that the views and concerns of the law enforcement community be addressed as part of any reform efforts; and,

WHEREAS, it is important that the views and concerns of the law enforcement community be addressed. For example, issues related to illegal or undocumented immigrants are of particular importance because these undocumented immigrants can create a significant volume of calls for service or police action, and there is no way for the police to estimate or budget resources for this unquantifiable service demand; and,

WHEREAS, when an illegal immigrant is the victim of a crime, local police must deal with several issues, the immigration status of the victim, the victimization of the individual, and the crime itself; and,

WHEREAS, immigration enforcement by state and local police could have a chilling effect in immigrant communities and could limit cooperation with police by members of those communities; and,

WHEREAS, Law enforcement agencies depend on the cooperation of immigrants, legal and illegal, in solving all sorts of crimes. Enforcement of immigration by state and local police could cause distrust and drive a wedge between the community and their law enforcement agency; and, now therefore be it

Resolved, that as our elected officials deliberate on changes to the immigration policies of the United States, the International Association of Chiefs of Police urges them to recognize and address the needs and concerns of the law enforcement community.

WHEREAS, many law enforcement agencies incorporate the use of teams of officers known as Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)/ Special Response Team (SRT) or other similar titles who specialize in responding to high risk operations; and WHEREAS, high risk operations mostly include activities where citizens and/or law enforcement officers’ safety is at a higher than normal risk; and WHEREAS, these types of activities demand a well prepared and coordinated law enforcement response; and WHEREAS, SWAT/SRT or other similar teams’ responsibility and commitment varies widely from agency to agency, depending on the size of the agency, the activity levels in that agency’s jurisdiction and budgetary resources; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recommends that standards be developed and implemented by any law enforcement agency utilizing SWAT/SRT or other similar teams; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that those standards should include a well structured policy clearly defining, but not limited to, specific areas of SWAT/SRT focus, decision making authority and individual team member standards for qualification; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police recommends that any agency utilizing a SWAT/SRT or other similar teams develop and implement a well documented training schedule consistent with the written policy expectations of its team.