Submitted By: Michael Balken
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Presentation By: Michael Balken
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Department: Police
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Gainesville for participation and cooperation in the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) have selected the City of Gainesville, Gainesville Police Department, as the task force lead agency for North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Pass-through funding and assistance to partnering law enforcement agencies requires the City of Gainesville to remain the recipient of the ICAC funding.
The purpose of this memorandum of understanding (MOU) is to formalize working relationships between agencies in a combined law enforcement effort aimed at combating internet and technology facilitated crimes against children. By signing this MOU, the Ocala Police Department will join the North Florida ICAC Task Force to investigate, prosecute, and deter the possession, production, and distribution of child pornography and the utilization of the internet to seek and sexually exploit children. ICAC provides an infrastructure of technical assistance, equipment, training, and other funding opportunities to meet these goals.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Participation in the ICAC Task Force provides training opportunities for Ocala Police Department (OPD) detectives, including two conferences a year and various other training opportunities. While OPD initially funds the training, OPD is reimbursed for the entire cost of all training which amounts to approximately $10,000 per year.
In addition, the ICAC Task Force has purchased two laptop computers for OPD that are used specifically for ICAC operations and investigations. The approximate cost for these two computers is $6,000. More equipment will likely be received from the ICAC Task Force after July 1, 2024.
Without the support of and participation in the ICAC Task Force, OPD detectives would not be able to attend the training opportunities or be invited to the chat operations, as they are only available to the ICAC Task Force. Additional manpower from other agencies is available to collaborate on ICAC Task Force operations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Reimbursement funds received from the ICAC Task Force will be applied to revenue account number 001-331-000-000-09-33293 and expenses will be tracked in 001-060-878-521-52-40010.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
This Memorandum of Understanding has been reviewed by the Procurement and Contracting Officer in compliance with City policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This MOU has been reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny