| ITEM #: 8. DATE: 07/08/2024 AI #:2091 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS (FBI) CHILD EXPLOITATION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE (CEHTTF) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH CITY OF GOODYEAR |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Jeff Mercy, Interim Chief of Police |
SUMMARY
Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Goodyear and the Federal Bureau of Investigations to participate in the child exploitation and human trafficking task force.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
Approve the MOU between the City of Goodyear Police Department and the FBI for participation in the CEHTTF and the Cost Reimbursement Agreement. (Jeff Mercy, Interim Chief of Police)
FISCAL IMPACT
The Police Department's current FY2025 base budget covers the special victim’s unit detective's position that would participate in the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The City of Goodyear Police Department may request reimbursement for overtime for CEHTTF related cases through the use of Cost Reimbursement Agreement form.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
The internet has broadened the reach of human traffickers and nefarious individuals through its far-reaching capabilities and the ability to disguise oneself through their online persona. This allows unsuspecting individuals to be recruited, coerced, and lured into oftentimes unknown and dangerous situations. The special victim’s unit has been investigating internet crimes against children as part of their daily case load. The majority of the ICAC cases are provided to the department by the FBI CEHTTF. Due to the increase in these cases, the assigned detective no longer has sufficient time to work additional cases assigned to the unit. In 2023, the case load reached a level that the department felt it was prudent to request an additional dedicated detective. The council approved the hiring of this additional detective at the December 11, 2023, council session.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The mission of the CEHTTF is to investigate and respond to the sexual victimization of children, other crimes against children and human trafficking. The participation in the task force will provide the department, through the officer assigned, FBI resources, technology, and intelligence for Goodyear cases, in addition to the officer participating in the task force receiving specialized knowledge through training and clearance levels offered by the federal government.
The FBI MOU delineates the responsibilities of the City of Goodyear CEHTTF personnel. The department is authorized to request reimbursement up to federal limits of overtime for the personnel participating in the task force and working on CEHTTF related cases.
In addition to resources and training, the detective assigned to the task force will be assigned an FBI vehicle for CEHTTF business.
It has been determined that participation in the CEHTTF will assist the department in investigating exploitation cases which benefit the City of Goodyear.
The FBI MOU delineates the responsibilities of the City of Goodyear CEHTTF personnel. The department is authorized to request reimbursement up to federal limits of overtime for the personnel participating in the task force and working on CEHTTF related cases.
In addition to resources and training, the detective assigned to the task force will be assigned an FBI vehicle for CEHTTF business.
It has been determined that participation in the CEHTTF will assist the department in investigating exploitation cases which benefit the City of Goodyear.