Internet Crimes Against Children Operations - Statewide project for the State of Vermont

Pursuant to Section 104 of the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force 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, educator, prosecutors, law enforcement, and others concerned with Internet crimes against children; 4) develop multijurisdictional, multiagency responses and partnerships 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 resource of such task force; 6) establish or adopt investigative and prosecution standards consistent with 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 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; 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 Burlington Police Department (BPD) recognizes the importance of expanding the capacity of the Vermont ICAC Task Force. As a result, the BPD will support travel and registration costs for BPD and affiliate personnel to attend computer forensic examiner training, basic ICAC investigation training such as Undercover Chat and Investigative Techniques, the National ICAC Conference, and the HTCIA Conference. Four local and state law enforcement affiliate agencies will receive funds to support overtime costs for ICAC investigators and computer forensic examiners, and BPD will continue to subgrant funds to Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT) to provide community education in schools throughout the state as well as materials regarding cyber safety and civility. Funds will also support a percentage of personnel costs for BPD investigators to conduct ICAC investigations as well as provide for a mental health professional to support the Vermont ICAC officer wellness program.

NCA/CF