Washington ICAC Task Force Program

As the lead agency for the Washington State ICAC Task Force, the Seattle Police Department proactively and reactively investigates an ever-growing number of technology-facilitated crimes against children.  Each year since the Washington State ICAC Task Force began, the ICAC Commander has successfully coordinated the number of investigative partner agencies within Washington State which improves the overall task force’s response to interdict, investigate and prosecute ICAC cases. The Washington State ICAC taskforce currently has 140 affiliate agencies as partners in the fight again crimes against children online.  Twenty-five (25) of the 39 counties in Washington State have representation on the statewide ICAC Task Force. As the number of cases involving child exploitation increases annually, the Washington State ICAC Task Force has successfully strengthened the state’s regional investigative capacity and effectiveness.  Funding will support the salary and benefit costs associated with a dedicated full-time Strategic Advisor, full-time Administrative Assistant, travel and training costs for investigative detectives and forensic examiners, and the purchase of software and equipment. Funding will also support regional training and educational opportunities for task force partners.  Task Force members will continue to provide Internet Safety presentations to teachers, students, community members and parents.  Affiliate agencies will sign a memorandum of understanding to adhere to the operational and investigative standards established by OJJDP.

The National Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, consists of state and local law enforcement task forces dedicated to developing effective responses to online enticement of children by sexual predators, child exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases. Each State and local task force that is part of the national program shall: 1) consist of State and local investigators, prosecutors, forensic specialists, and education specialists who are dedicated to addressing the goals of the task force; 2) engage in proactive investigations, forensic examinations, and effective prosecutions of Internet crimes against children; 3) provide forensic, preventive, and investigative assistance to parents, educators, prosecutors, law enforcement, and others concerned with Internet crimes against children; 4) develop multijurisdictional, multiagency partnerships and responses to Internet crimes against children offenses through ongoing informational, administrative, and technological support to other State and local law enforcement agencies, as a means for such agencies to acquire the necessary knowledge, personnel, and specialized equipment to investigate and prosecute such offenses; 5) participate in nationally coordinated investigations in any case in which the Attorney General determines such participation to be necessary, as permitted by the available resources of such task force; 6) establish or adopt investigative and prosecution standards consistent with established norms, to which such task force shall comply; 7) investigate, and seek prosecution on tips related to Internet crimes against children, including tips from Operation Fairplay, the National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline, ICAC task forces, and other Federal, State, and local agencies, with priority being given to investigate leads that indicate the possibility of identifying or rescuing child victims, including investigative leads that indicate a likelihood of seriousness of offense or dangerousness to the community; 8) develop procedures for handling seized evidence for ICAC task force lead agencies and affiliate agencies; 9) maintain reports required by OJJDP and other reports and records as determined by the Attorney General; and, 10) seek to comply with national standards regarding the investigation and prosecution of Internet crimes against children, as set forth by the Attorney General, to the extent such standards are consistent with the law of the State where the task force is located. 

The Seattle Police Department proactively and reactively investigates technology facilitated crimes against children.  The Washington State ICAC Task Force has 133 affiliate agencies as partners in the fight against crimes against technology facilitated crimes against children. Funding will support personnel, travel and training costs for investigative detectives and forensic examiners.  Funding will go to affiliate agencies for the purchase of software and equipment.  Task Force members will provide education to teachers, students and community members about the dangers of Internet usage. The Seattle Police Department will continue its long- standing partnership with the Western and Eastern U.S. Attorney's Offices and the Project Safe Childhood Program. This task force will provide regional ICAC related training and technical assistance to all Washington State Task Force affiliates.