CENTRAL FLORIDA INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN TASK FORCE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGCENTRAL FLORIDA IlVTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
TASK FORCE
MEM�RANDUM OF UNDERSTAING
July 1, 201. l— 7une 30, 2012
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The Polk County SherifPs Of�ce is the recipient of a United States Department of Justice, Office
af luvenile Justice and Delinquency 1'revention (OJJDP) Grant to enforce laws regarding Internet Crirnes
Against Children (ICAC), and tlte Polk County Sheriffls Ofiice utilizes this grant to administer and
op�rate the Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered between the Polk County Sherif�'s Office
and the Clearwater Palice De,partment.
The current participating agencies pursuant to this Central Florida ICAC Task Force MOU are:
Avon Park Police Department
Bradenton Police Departznent
Citrus County SherifPs Office
Glearwater Police Department
DeSoco County Sheriff's Office
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Hardee County Sheriff's Office
Hernando County Sheriff's Office
Highlands Couclty Sheriffls Office
Hillsboraugh County SherifF's Ofiic�
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Kissimmee Police Departxt�ent
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Largo Police Departnnent
Longwood Police Departnn.ent
Manatee Police Dapartment
New Port Richey Police Department
Office of the Attorney General
Ocoee Police Department
Okeechobee County Sheriff s Of�ce
Okeechobee Police Department
PunrosE
Orange County Sherif�'s Of�ce
Orlando Police Department
Osceola County Sheriffls Ofiice
Oviedo Police Deparnnent
Pinellas County Sherif�s Office
Plaztt City Police Department
5tate Attorney's Office/5th 7udicial Circuit
State Attorney's Office/10`� Judicial Circuit
State Attorney's O�ce/13`� Judicial Circuit
Sarasota County Sherif£'s Office
Sarasota Police Departrnent
Sebring Police Department
Seminole County Sheriff's Ofiice
St. Petersburg Police Departmen.t
Sumter Caunty Sheriff's Office
US Attorney's O�ce Middle District
US Postal inspection Service
Wincer Haven Police Department
Wianter Park Police Department
Winter Springs Folice Department
The purpose of this MOU is to fonnalize working relationships between participating agencies to
achieve txtaximum cooperation in a combined law enforcement effart aianed at combating Intertaet and
technolagy criznas against children in the State of Florida and nationwide. By signing tl�e MOU,
participants are agreeing to join the Central Flarida ICAC Task Force for the purpose of promoting a
coordinated effort in investigating and prosecuting said crirnes. This MOU is not intended and should not
be construed, by any third party against the parties, the United States, or the officers, employ�es, agents,
or other associated personnel thereof.
CENTRAL FLORIDA 1'CAC TASK FORCE
With the advent of the Internet and the rapid advancement oi computers and technology,
crinninals are able to victimize adults, children, businesses and organizations in an environment that
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affords them cotttplete anonymity. This ability to cross jurisdictions in a medium is. advanci �n
technalogy faster than law enforcement agencies can keep up, and tlxe cost in keeping up -witl� ��se���-` ....
technological advances in an environment which is subject to budget constraints, rec�uires a multi-
jurisdictional and m,ulti-agency approach.
The Central Florida ZCAC Task Force has been created to add�-ess th�se issues and pa�ticipate
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 equipm�nt.
GOALSAND OBJECTIT�ES
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 enforcernent afficers 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 x�ulti-
agency task force response to ICAC offenses; (6) Develop and deliver rCAC public awareness and
prevention programs.
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All participants acknowledge that the Central Florida Task �'orce is a joint operation in which all
agencies act as allies. The chaiz� of command and supervision of the �'olk County Sheriff s Of�ce,
Bureau of Special Investigations, Camputer Criraes Unit is responsible for the policy and general
direction of the Task Force. The Task Force Coordinator will periodically cantact supervisors and
investigators from other participating agencies to keep them infonned of training opportunities, unusual
circuznstances, 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 k'lorida ICAC Task Force are further
governed by the Operational and Investigative Standards of the United States Department of Justice,
Office of Juvenxle and Delinqu�ncy Preventian, Affiliate agen.cies must understand and cozt�ply with the
standards. These standards are proprietary to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program.
A copy of the standards has been provided ta eacli participating agency executing the agreement by the
Polk County Sheriffs Office.
SELECTI'ONAND RETENTION OF PERSONNEL
ICAC personnel should have proficient investigative skills, court testimony skills, ability to
handle sensitive information prudently, and a genuine interest in tk�e 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. ��
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Central Florida ICAC Task Force affiliate supervisors shauld be fazniliar with the Case
Predication and Prioritization in the ICAC Operatiorial and Tnvestigative Standards. Central Florida
ICAC Task Force supervisors are respansible for detennining investigative priorities and selecting cases
for investigation.
CYBERTIP INVESTI'GATIONS
The CyberTipline is Congressionally mandated as a reporting mechanism for cases of c}�ild
sexual exploitation including child pornography, online enticement of childr�n for sex acts, molestation of
ck�ildren outside the family, sex tourism of children, child victirns of prostitution and unsolicited obscene
material sent to a child.
Polk County SherifPs Office is the clearinghouse for the Cybertips that occur in Central Florida
and dissert�inate these investigations to the appropriate agencies with jurisdiction.
Central Florida ICAC Task Force affiliates are required ta iz�vestigate these reactive
investigations and report back to the Central Florida ICAC Task Farce Coordinator the status of these
investigations.
CONFIDENTIAL INFQRMAT.I�N
It is understood that any canfidantial information pertaining ta investigations of Internet and
technology crimes will be held in the strictest confidence, and will only be shared with participating
Central Florida TCAC Task k'orce affiliates or other law enforcement agencies where necessary, with the
approval oi the agency that authored the record or produced the information or as otherwxse required by
Federal or Florida law. Any confidential infon�aatian 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 inedia, and any other ralated
forfeiture/seizure will be handl�d in a manner consistent with the policies of the case agent's agency.
Chi1d Pornography is contraband and should be maintained pursuant to each agency's policies. Tt
is recommended that absent a court order speci�cally ordering otherwise, evidence containing child
pornography shall not be released to any defendant or representative thereof.
Transfer of evidence containing child pornagraphy among law enforcement shall be done in a
secure manner. Methods m.ay be hand-delivery or delivery via a service which tracks th� shipment or
znethods consisteztt with agency policy and practices.
RECORDS AND REPORTS
Each task forca 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 enforcernent
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agencies as it pertains to investigations af Internet and technology crimes with the approval of the agency
that authored the record or report.
All affiliates will report their monthly activity to the Central F�orida ICAC Task Force
Coordinator by the 10`�1 of each month using the ICAC Monthly Performance Measures Report.
.ICAC EQUIPMENT
ICAC computers and saftware purchased utilizing ICAC Grant fur�ded rr�onies shall be reserved
far the exclusive use of agency designated TCAC personnel.
MEDtA RELATIONS
Task Force members and agencies will coardinate all press releases/announcement with all
involved agencies pertaining to the specific investigation.
TERMS OFAGREEMENT
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 agreetnent 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 ary�he � day of , 2011.
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ve (�, gnature) Agency R r sentative (�rin d Name)
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Signe n the Z� day f�.1C..�. , 2011.
Polk County Sheriffls Office resentative
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