State Violent Crime Enforcement Teams

and Coordinating Council

Minnesota Department of Public Safety

Office of Justice Programs

Drug Task Forces began in 1988 with federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds.◦ Purpose: Integrate federal, state and local drug enforcement

agencies and prosecutors to conduct effective multi-jurisdiction investigations and prosecutions.

MN Gang Strike Force created and funded by legislature in 1997◦ Purpose: Identify, investigate, arrest and prosecute gang

members engaged in illegal activity.

Background

To improve outcomes and coordination, the 2005 legislature: ◦ Appropriated funding for multi-jurisdictional drug task

forces due to declining federal funds.

◦ Established Metro Gang Strike Force.

◦ Created Gang and Drug Oversight Council.

◦ Created Position of Statewide Gang and Drug Coordinator to provide oversight & support.

2005 Legislative Changes

Following Metro Gang Strike Force Investigation, the 2010 legislature:

◦ Established Violent Crime Enforcement Teams (VCETs). ◦ Required each team to be certified by Commissioner of Public Safety. ◦ Created Violent Crime Coordinating Council (VCCC).

◦ Directed the Attorney General to serve as Liaison to the Councils of Color.

◦ Added external audit and review and resolution of audit findings to the role of Statewide Coordinator.

2010 Legislative Changes

◦ Must be under the operational command of one participating agency.

◦ Must have adequate staffing to support all activities including bookkeeping and evidence handling.

◦ Must comply with any conditions deemed necessary by Commissioner of Public Safety.

◦ Must have governing board comprised of at least 6 members-including one prosecutor to:

Advise on training for successful prosecutions & lawful handling of seized evidence, property.

Ensuring proper reporting of seizures to the state

Certification Requirements

$4.2 GF and $300,000 federal Byrne JAG

23 funded task forces in 65 counties

Over 200 investigators from 115 agencies

Additional 53 agencies provide non-personnel support

Operations conducted under joint powers agreements

Current Operations

For calendar year 2012, task forces reported:

◦ More than 7,000 active investigations (7,138)

◦ 3,903 arrests  (84% were felonies)

◦ 1,922 search warrants executed and 426 consent searches

◦ 867 weapons seized

◦ 27 meth labs discovered

◦ Conducted nearly 500 (470) prevention presentations for community groups attended by more than 15,000 people (16,799)

◦ Attended 813 training courses for a total of 10,958 POST hours. 

2012 Performance Measures

Increase in quantity & purity of heroin seized Increase in overdose emergencies and deaths Increase of unlawful use and sales of prescription drugs,

especially opiates Dramatic increase in use of synthetic drugs and the

challenge of adapting law to constantly changing chemical formulas

Inappropriate use of methadone Increase in packaged marijuana transported from

California, Washington and Colorado

Trends

Staff Oversight Activities Statewide Gang and Drug Coordinator (SWC) and State

Program Administrator: ◦ Conduct site visits and operational assessments to ensure

compliance

◦ Complete financial reconciliations of reported expenses

◦ Conduct audit reviews and follow-up

◦ Support the work of the VCCC and sub-committees

◦ Provide technical assistance and training

VCCC began December 2010 Primary duty: “develop an overall strategy to ameliorate the

harm caused by gang and drug crime within the state of Minnesota”◦ Develop and update Operating Procedures and Policies Manual.

◦ Develop grant criteria and review process.

◦ Develop process to collect and share investigative data.

◦ Develop monitoring protocols and standards for VCETs.

◦ Develop policies to prohibit the improper use of personal characteristics to identify individuals for law enforcement, prosecution, or forfeiture actions.

Violent Crime Coordinating Council (VCCC)

Comprised of 19 voting members designated in statute:

Director of the Office of Special Investigations-DOC Superintendent of BCA Attorney general and two county attorneys Four chiefs of police & four sheriffs United States attorney Tribal Officer & four citizen members

Current Leadership: ◦ Chair – Sheriff James Jensen, Dodge County◦ Vice Chair – Chief Michael Goldstein, Plymouth PD

VCCC Structure

Meet on bi-monthly basis

Discharge statutory duties through the use of a committee structure:

◦ Data and Information Committee◦ Governance and Legislation Committee◦ Professional Standards Committee (adhoc audit sub-

committee) ◦ Community Engagement and Prevention Committee

Provide direction and oversight to VCET

VCCC Activities

Recruited citizen representation and implemented communication strategies to inform and solicit input.

Reviewed performance data and monitoring reports for all the task forces.

Reviewed and amended the Task Force Operating Procedures and Guidelines Manual .

Assisted OJP in developing grant application and review process and approved 2012 funding.

VCCC Accomplishments

Developed the Minnesota nine-point gang criteria.

Reviewed VCET audits and follow-up reports.

Contributed to the development of the Department of Human Service’s State Substance Abuse Strategy.

Established the Community Engagement and Prevention Committee and surveyed VCETs on their involvement with local community groups.

VCCC Accomplishments

2011 & 2012-Two major initiatives:

1. Solicited significant public and law enforcement input in order to promulgate objective gang criteria

2. Embarked on a strategic planning process to: understand current and emerging violent crime and drug trends. identify key stakeholders. determine priorities and recommendations for a strategic

framework and tactical plan. “Key Elements of A Statewide Strategic Framework”  

 

VCCC Accomplishments

Facilitate implementation of effective investigative information sharing systems.

Support prevention & intervention efforts.

Recommend areas for technical assistance and training for VCETs to ensure compliance with the Operating Procedures and Policy Manual.

Pilot a roundtable model in select VCET jurisdictions.

VCCC Goals

Office of the State Auditor (OSA) conducted “Agreed Upon Procedures” audits of all VCETs

Focused on seizure and forfeiture practices and confidential funds

Reviewed random samples of transactions and documentation

All audits completed by February 2013

2011-2012 Audit Process

Audit requirement put in place the structure to monitor, identify and correct problems.

Findings are serious, but not comparable to issues with Gang Strike Force.

Most errors procedural, result of poor documentation and/or bookkeeping.

No hint of personal gain or illegal activity.

2001-2012 Audit Process

Audit Response to date Professional Standards Committee reviewed all audits

Training provided at annual commander’s training by OJP staff

Commissioner’s letter of expectation sent to Advisory Boards

VCETs with findings submitted written corrective action plans to OJP

Interim Coordinator followed-up with VCETs

OJP staff will conduct comprehensive site visit and assessments in next six months

Compliance results will be reported to Commissioner and VCCC

Assessments will impact future funding

Second Round of Audits by OSA begin Fall 2013

Audit Response-Future

Oversight structure, Operations Manual & data collection efforts were recently recognized by National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) as national best practices in task force operations.

◦ Staff presented at National Forum

◦ Staff participated in national webinar

◦ NCJA has developed a monograph

“Best Practices” Operation

Contacts:

◦ Interim Statewide Coordinator ◦ Brian Marquart◦ 651-201-7338

◦ State Program AdministratorKristin Lail

◦ 651-201-7322

Thank You