Agenda Date: 11/17/2020
Subject:
Title
Resolution 73-2020: Approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Littleton Police Department (LPD) and the Rocky Mountain Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL) for participation on the RCFL Task Force
Body
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Prepared by: |
Doug Stephens, Chief of Police |
PURPOSE:
The LPD seeks to update an existing (2012) MOU with the Rocky Mountain Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory for participation on the RCFL Task Force. This MOU will continue to provide the LPD with access to advanced digital forensics examination services, training, and equipment at a level not possible without participation on the task force.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Doug Stephens, Chief of Police
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
This MOU is an update to the current MOU established in 2012. The Littleton Police Department has been a member of the RCFL Task Force since 2012. One Littleton detective is assigned full-time to the RCFL where his duties include high level forensic examination of all types of electronic evidence including cellular phones, computers, tablets, and vehicle computer systems. RCFL Task Force investigators are highly trained and certified specialist who require years of in-depth technical training to develop proficiency in their field.
The LPD continues to experience an increase in complex criminal investigations that require the expertise of a forensic specialist. Crimes of violence, child pornography, human trafficking, internet crimes and complex frauds all involve the examination of digital evidence. Due to the pace of changing technology, the number of different media types, and the associated training costs, the LPD would be unable to train and staff an investigator properly credentialed and experienced enough to provide this type of service without participation on the RCFL Task Force. As a member of the RCFL Task Force, the LPD also receives priority service for any investigation occurring within its jurisdiction.
The LPD’s participation on the RCFL Task Force has proven invaluable in numerous criminal investigations including homicide, human trafficking, sexual assault, and possession of child pornography.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
Council approved a similar MOU in 2012 and the LPD has been a task force participant since that time.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
Staff believes participation on the RCFL Task Force provides a level of technical expertise that would be unavailable without task force membership. The cost of technical equipment, initial and recurrent training would be prohibitive for the LPD without this agreement. The services provided by the RCFL have proven invaluable in LPD criminal investigations and would have been impossible to complete without the resources and availability of the RCFL.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
This resolution supports Council Goal 3: Good Governance, Objective 3: Strategic Partnerships
Fiscal Impacts
The LPD already budgets 1 FTE detective to this position. The task force provides all training, travel, equipment, vehicle, and overtime reimbursement for the detective. No additional fiscal impact is generated by this MOU.
Alternatives
The LPD could end its participation on the RCFL Task Force and use a private forensic laboratory service at an additional expense, and extensive delay in evidence processing.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends council approve the MOU between the LPD and the RMRCFL.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the Littleton Police Department and the Rocky Mountain Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory for participation on the RCFL Task Force.