DELAWARE STATE POLICE INTELLIGENCE UNIT
The mission of the Criminal Intelligence Section is to collect, evaluate and disseminate intelligence data on organized criminal and terrorist groups, both traditional and non-traditional, that are active within Delaware and the surrounding states. With the assistance of federal, state and local agencies, the Criminal Intelligence Section has continued to monitor the criminal activities of known organized gangs, hate groups, “Left Wing” and “Right Wing” extremists groups, anti-government groups, special interest groups, and domestic and international terrorist organizations. By the nature of this type of work, much of this Section’s activity is confidential, and for dissemination to law enforcement only.
During 2005 criminal intelligence investigators were responsible for compiling a total of 258 complaints, which primarily consisted of initial Intelligence Reports. The vast majority of these Intelligence Reports dealt with the tracking of various groups and/or organizations such as; outlaw motorcycle gang (OMG) activities, animal rights groups, transient criminal groups and white supremacist groups/individuals. In addition to their primary investigations, the investigators assisted 32 different outside agencies during 2005.
The investigators in this section are considered experts in particular fields. Their recognized expertise leads them to receive requests for training in the areas of transient criminal groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs during 2005.
The investigations conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Unit are very confidential and federal law, which mandates dissemination of intelligence information to law enforcement only, governs their activity. The investigators within this unit have federal clearances to work and share information with our federal partners in the area of homeland security.
The Counter-Terrorism Unit was established in April of 2002 and continues its homeland security efforts, protecting the citizenry and key assets of Delaware. This unit works directly with the U.S. Attorney’s Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the United States Secret Service, the United States Coast Guard, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Postal Inspector, the Delaware National Guard, all U.S. military service investigative units, other state police agencies, and regional, county/municipal law enforcement agencies. The Counter-Terrorism Unit is charged with investigating terrorism activities within the state of Delaware. This unit also monitors the toll free tip line for leads and assigns theses leads appropriately to various law enforcement jurisdictions.
Additionally, due to their expertise, members of the Counter Terrorism Unit conducted various blocks of instruction on terrorist/extremist activities during 2005. These courses were held at the Delaware State Police Academy and at seminars throughout the state and conferences across the country, when requested by the sponsoring organizations.
During 2005, the most important development within the Criminal Intelligence Section was the formation of the Delaware Information Analysis Center (DIAC). The Center was initiated in direct response to an immediate need to share, analyze, integrate, and disseminate information/intelligence among the many agencies protecting the citizens of Delaware against threats from numerous sources. The concept of DIAC goes beyond the belief that law enforcement is the sole protector of the public and takes an “all hazards” approach. This proactive, multi-disciplined paradigm will make DIAC the central conduit that will build partnerships between numerous agencies, both in the public and private sectors. The common goals in this synergistic model will be the protection of our homeland and the prevention of criminal activity at all levels.
DIAC is staffed with four full-time DSP Criminal Intelligence Analysts, a position that had not previously existed in the agency’s long history. Two full-time Intelligence Analysts provided through a strong partnership with the Delaware National Guard complement this staff. DIAC is now equipped with cutting-edge software designed to greatly increase information sharing among all participants. During 2005, the focus was to construct an open-architecture center from which to build upon in the years to come.
DIAC will continue to carry on the traditional mission of the Analytical Unit which is to collect, evaluate, and disseminate criminal intelligence data on organized crime and terrorist groups. To better accomplish this mission, DIAC initiated the implementation of a statewide intelligence sharing system. All state and local law enforcement agencies in Delaware are participating in a unified effort to collect and share criminal intelligence information via a shared computer network.
DIAC is in the process of becoming equipped with a powerful information sharing and analysis system that goes far beyond traditional “intelligence” information and utilizes the vast amount of information that is available in our current and future partnerships, extending beyond law enforcement. DIAC will be the first major collaborative effort in Delaware that unites the public and private sectors together as a force multiplier, potentially unveiling threats to our current way of life. The software integrates multiple databases from different formats and locations. It supports pattern discovery by linking multiple sources of data to provide a complete and comprehensive view. The analytical product created is visually presented in many available views to illustrate the connected links. This can range from charts to graphs, mapping, and written reports.
The Delaware Anti-Terrorism Tip Line (1-800-FORCE-1-2) is managed by DIAC. The line is operational around the clock and provides an opportunity for anyone throughout the world to report suspicious activity possibly related to terrorist activity in Delaware. All tips received on this system are documented by DIAC personnel and shared with the F.B.I. Joint Terrorism Task Force for maximum effectiveness.
DIAC is the point of contact for a program partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, called Etrace. This online application replaced the Electronic Trace Submission System to submit weapon information to the National Tracing Center. The application allows users to search for the traces they have submitted or their agencies have submitted and print their results. DSP traced 443 firearms in the year 2005, making it the top-submitting agency in the state.
Delaware’s critical infrastructure is a potential target for terrorists. DIAC takes a proactive approach to increasing homeland security by providing outreach to our partners to assist in lowering their vulnerability and increasing their security. A full-time Infrastructure Outreach Officer ensures that the needs of Delaware’s infrastructure are being met. DIAC utilizes a secure Internet connection provided by the federal government to push important confidential information out to shared partners in the private sector. This system is named the Automated Trusted Information Exchange (ATIX) and is facilitated statewide by a part-time ATIX Coordinator who works jointly with the Infrastructure Outreach Officer. Due to outreach efforts, Delaware has one of the largest ATIX user groups of any state and has become the model for ATIX outreach.
The Electronic Surveillance Unit assists investigative units within the Division in addition to local and federal agencies. The Electronic Surveillance Unit procures and distributes all video and audio equipment for the Division and is tasked with the maintenance of the electronic equipment throughout. In the course of criminal investigations, detectives within the Unit also supply detectives in the field with specialized electronic equipment that may be required for a successful case conclusion and prosecution. During the 2005 calendar year the Electronic Surveillance Unit handled 225 requests from throughout the entire state for assistance.
The Electronic Surveillance Unit continues to be responsible for the training of law enforcement officers throughout Delaware in the use of specialized electronic surveillance equipment. The Electronic Surveillance Unit assisted seven local police departments and four outside agencies during 2005. In July of 2005 the Unit was tasked with the installation of new digital video security cameras in the new Troop 5 complex located in Bridgeville. A new digital hard-drive recording system was installed for recording the cameras. Each of the Troop’s new interview rooms and the Intoxilyzer rooms were equipped with new DVD recorders in an effort to provide the best means possible for capturing audio and video evidence.
In response to the sophistication of computer technology and resources challenging Delaware law enforcement to investigate high technology and computer crimes the Delaware State Police established the High Technology Crimes Unit (HTCU). HTCU provides all Delaware law enforcement agencies technical and investigative expertise on computer-related crimes. Its mission is to provide computer and high technology forensic capabilities; become a resource for law enforcement and government agencies on computer or high tech crime issues; training to the public, law enforcement and government agencies on the investigation, threat and awareness of computer crime; and proactively work to identify computer criminals and prevent future cyber crimes. The High Technology Crimes Unit consists of five sworn members of the Delaware State Police. Lt. Robert Moses is the Officer-In-Charge of the High Technology Crimes Unit.
In 2005, there were 548 calls for service for the HTCU. These cases were comprised of a wide variety of criminal offenses, including adult entertainment crimes, aggravated menacing, attempted kidnapping, assault, burglary, counterfeiting, internet fraud, harassment, homicide, intelligence, child pornography, rape, robbery, sexual exploitation of minors, terroristic threatening, theft, and unauthorized access to computers. In 2005, there were also 84 requests for the analysis of digital closed circuit television security systems. These examinations require both computer forensic analysis and forensic video analysis.
The HTCU is called upon for assistance in the examination and analysis of video evidence. Forensic examination of crime scene video surveillance tape media is very effective in developing, apprehending and successfully prosecuting the perpetrators.
In 2005 the demands for HTCU services have increased dramatically and will continue to increase with the ever-evolving technological advances in the world. HTCU will continue to navigate this fast-changing terrain in effort to outpace those who use the computer for criminal activity and victimization
