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File #: 2024-1584   
Type: Agenda Item Status: Passed
File created: 6/14/2024 In control: City Council
On agenda: 7/16/2024 Final action: 7/16/2024
Title: Approve Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Gainesville for participation and cooperation in the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Attachments: 1. FOR COUNCIL - Memorandum of Understanding - North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force - Membership (OPD 240853)
Related files: BR-2024-147
Submitted By: Michael Balken
presenter
Presentation By: Michael Balken
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Department: Police

STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
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...

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