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Colorado ICAC Task Force Program

Award Information

Award #
15PJDP-21-GK-03813-MECP
Funding Category
Noncompetitive
Location
Awardee County
El Paso
Congressional District
Status
Past Project Period End Date
Funding First Awarded
2021
Total funding (to date)
$1,590,480

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2021, $453,422)

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 Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force's primary goal is to improve its effectiveness in activities aimed to protect youth from victimization by aggressively investigating perpetrators who distribute child pornography and the enticement of victims online. To accomplish these goals, the Task Force will implement several strategies. These strategies include: (1) increase proactive joint operations with affiliate agencies in Colorado; (2) increase the community awareness programs across the state to include incorporating new parent education programs; (3) provide Colorado agencies with technical assistance as needed; (4) ensure affiliate agencies receive the necessary training and tools to stay current on technology and online trends. The Task Force consists of 95 law enforcement and prosecutorial affiliate agencies serving multiple jurisdictions throughout Colorado. The Colorado ICAC task force will continue to assist affiliate agencies in investigations as needed and provide any technical assistance. The funding will support three key positions: (1) the ICAC Program Coordinator, (2) a full-time Civilian Criminal Investigator, and (3) a part-time Civilian Criminal Investigator. The Program Coordinator will coordinate affiliate grant activities and community education, and the Civilian Criminal Investigator will focus on managing and distributing the multitude of cyber tips received each year. The funding will provide affiliates agencies with supplies, software, and training necessary for their investigations. Progress will be measured based on the increase in the number of affiliate agencies and members, the number of investigations completed, the number of forensic examinations conducted, the number of ICAC-related arrests, the amount of technical assistance provided, and the number of community outreach/training presentations provided.

Date Created: December 9, 2021