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2011-53ad�Judar HO • Phone: 863.298.6200 • www.polksheriff.org August 10, 2011 Stephen Graham, Chief of Police Clermont Police Department 865 W. Montrose Street Clermont, FL 34711 RE: Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Memorandum of Understanding Dear Chief Graham: Enclosed you will find a Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Memorandum of Understanding. Please review this Memorandum of Understanding and if it meets with your approval, sign and return the original document in the enclosed self - addressed stamped envelope. If you have any questions, or if I can be of further assistance, please contact me at (863) 298- 6375. Sincerely, rmaAk Beth Ward, Executive Secretary Criminal Investigations Division /bw Enclosure c: File "EIGHT STAR ACCREDITED AGENCY" CENTRAL FLORIDA INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN TASK FORCE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTAING July 1, 2011 —June 30, 2012 The Polk County Sheriff's Office is the recipient of a United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Grant to enforce laws regarding Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), and the Polk County Sheriff's Office utilizes this grant to administer and operate the Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered between the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Clermont Police Department The current participating agencies pursuant to this Central Florida ICAC Task Force MOU are: Avon Park Police Department Bradenton Police Department Citrus County Sheriff's Office Clearwater Police Department Clermont Police Department DeSoto County Sheriff's Office Florida Department of Law Enforcement Hardee County Sheriff's Office Hernando County Sheriff's Office Highlands County Sheriffs Office Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Immigration and Customs Enforcement Kissimmee Police Department Lake County Sheriff s Office Largo Police Department Longwood Police Department Manatee Police Department New Port Richey Police Department Office of the Attorney General Ocoee Police Department Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office Okeechobee Police Department Orange County Sheriff's Office Orlando Police Department Osceola County Sheriff's Office Oviedo Police Department Pinellas County Sheriffs Office Plant City Police Department State Attorney's Office /5` Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office/ 10"' Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office /13 Judicial Circuit Sarasota County Sheriffs Office Sarasota Police Department Sebring Police Department Seminole County Sheriff s Office St. Petersburg Police Department Sumter County Sheriff's Office US Attorney's Office Middle District US Postal Inspection Service Winter Haven Police Department Winter Park Police Department Winter Springs Police Department PURPOSE The purpose of this MOU is to formalize working relationships between participating agencies to achieve maximum cooperation in a combined law enforcement effort aimed at combating Internet and technology crimes against children in the State of Florida and nationwide. By signing the MOU, participants are agreeing to join the Central Florida ICAC Task Force for the purpose of promoting a coordinated effort in investigating and prosecuting said crimes. This MOU is not intended and should not be construed, by any third party against the parties, the United States, or the officers, employees, agents, or other associated personnel thereof. CENTRAL FLORIDA ICAC TASK FORCE With the advent of the Internet and the rapid advancement of computers and technology, criminals are able to victimize adults, children, businesses and organizations in an environment that Page 1 of 4 J affords them complete anonymity. This ability to cross jurisdictions in a medium is advancik iirT technology faster than law enforcement agencies can keep up, and the cost in keeping up with these technological advances in an environment which is subject to budget constraints, requires a multi - jurisdictional and multi - agency approach. The Central Florida ICAC Task Force has been created to address these issues and participate locally and nationally in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of investigations and prosecutions of Internet and technology crimes in Central Florida by providing such resources as expertise, investigative and prosecutorial support, training, and equipment. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The Central Florida ICAC Task Force goals are to increase the effective response to cyber enticement and child pornography investigations and prosecutions and to increase public awareness and prevention of ICAC offenses. The Central Florida ICAC Task Force objectives are to: (1) Increase the investigative capabilities of law enforcement officers in the detection and investigation of ICAC offenses; (2) Increase the apprehension of ICAC offenders; (3) Conduct proactive and reactive ICAC investigations; (4) Increase the number of ICAC State and Federal offenses being prosecuted in Central Florida; (5) Create a multi - agency task force response to ICAC offenses; (6) Develop and deliver ICAC public awareness and prevention programs. POLICY AND DIRECTION All participants acknowledge that the Central Florida Task Force is a joint operation in which all agencies act as allies. The chain of command and supervision of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Special Investigations, Computer Crimes Unit is responsible for the policy and general direction of the Task Force. The Task Force Coordinator will periodically contact supervisors and investigators from other participating agencies to keep them informed of training opportunities, unusual circumstances, problems /concerns and successes of the Task Force. The policy and direction of the Central Florida ICAC Task Force will be consistent with and governed by its goals and objectives. Activities of the Central Florida ICAC Task Force are further governed by the Operational and Investigative Standards of the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention. Affiliate agencies must understand and comply with the standards. These standards are proprietary to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. A copy of the standards has been provided to each participating agency executing the agreement by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. SELECTION AND RETENTION OF PERSONNEL ICAC personnel should have proficient investigative skills, court testimony skills, ability to handle sensitive information prudently, and a genuine interest in the protection of children. Due to the graphic nature of evidence encountered in ICAC investigations, supervisors are encouraged to make reasonable efforts to ensure that all assigned officers have access to Employee Assistance Programs for mental health concerns. Page 2 of 4 CASE MANAGEMENT Central Florida ICAC Task Force affiliate supervisors should be familiar with the Case Predication and Prioritization in the ICAC Operational and Investigative Standards. Central Florida ICAC Task Force supervisors are responsible for determining investigative priorities and selecting cases for investigation. CYBERTIP INVESTIGATIONS The CyberTipline is Congressionally mandated as a reporting mechanism for cases of child sexual exploitation including child pornography, online enticement of children for sex acts, molestation of children outside the family, sex tourism of children, child victims of prostitution and unsolicited obscene material sent to a child. Polk County Sheriff's Office is the clearinghouse for the Cybertips that occur in Central Florida and disseminate these investigations to the appropriate agencies with jurisdiction. Central Florida ICAC Task Force affiliates are required to investigate these reactive investigations and report back to the Central Florida ICAC Task Force Coordinator the status of these investigations. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION It is understood that any confidential information pertaining to investigations of Internet and technology crimes will be held in the strictest confidence, and will only be shared with participating Central Florida ICAC Task Force affiliates or other law enforcement agencies where necessary, with the approval of the agency that authored the record or produced the information or as otherwise required by Federal or Florida law. Any confidential information disclosed to Central Florida ICAC Task Force affiliates or other law enforcement agencies shall be disclosed in a manner consistent with protections afforded under Federal and /or Florida law. EVIDENCE Seized evidence, the examination of computers and digital media, and any other related forfeiture /seizure will be handled in a manner consistent with the policies of the case agent's agency. Child Pornography is contraband and should be maintained pursuant to each agency's policies. It is recommended that absent a court order specifically ordering otherwise, evidence containing child pornography shall not be released to any defendant or representative thereof. Transfer of evidence containing child pornography among law enforcement shall be done in a secure manner. Methods may be hand - delivery or delivery via a service which tracks the shipment or methods consistent with agency policy and practices. RECORDS AND REPORTS Each task force member will maintain their own agency records and reports. To the extent possible, all investigative information will be available to each of the participating law enforcement Page 3 of 4 agencies as it pertains to investigations of Internet and technology crimes with the approval of the agencyq7 c" that authored the record or report. All affiliates will report their monthly activity to the Central Florida ICAC Task Force Coordinator by the 10"' of each month using the ICAC Monthly Performance Measures Report. ICAO EOUIPMENT ICAC computers and software purchased utilizing ICAC Grant funded monies shall be reserved for the exclusive use of agency designated ICAC personnel. MEDIA RELATIONS Task Force members and agencies will coordinate all press releases /announcement with all involved agencies pertaining to the specific investigation. TERMS OF AGREEMENT This MOU shall be effective beginning July 1, 2011 and shall expire on June 30, 2012. The MOU shall be renewed annually with each participating agency beginning on July 1. This MOU may be modified upon the mutual written agreement of the parties. An agency's participation in the MOU may be terminated by and upon the agency giving written notice to the other participating agencies or in the event the federal grant funding ceases. Signed on day of 9 , 2011. Ag cy epresentat ignature) Agency Representative (Printed Nam ) h Sign on the �� day of �� , 2011. L fj ( Polk County Sheriff's Office Repres tative Page 4 of 4