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Applicable To:  All sworn employees

Approval Authority:  Chief George N. Turner

Signature:  Signed by GNT

Date Signed: 12/2/10

1.               PURPOSE

To establish procedures and criteria for departmental participation in a multi-agency investigative task force in which the Atlanta Police Department (APD) has concurrent or adjoining jurisdiction.  An internal investigative taskforce may be created by a written directive.

2.               POLICY

The Atlanta Police Department may choose to participate in multi-agency investigative task forces which target identified crime problems and which promote inter-agency cooperation.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              The Chief of Police or his/her designee will be the approving authority for any agreement to participate in or to withdraw from a multi-agency investigative task force.

3.2              The ranking APD task force supervisor will be the unit commander for all Atlanta police officers assigned to the task force and will be responsible for any additional duties given by the investigative task force memorandum of understanding (MOU).

3.3              Any APD supervisor assigned to a taskforce will manage and direct the daily activities of Atlanta Police employees assigned to the task force and will be responsible for any additional duties given by the investigative task force memorandum of understanding (MOU).

3.4              Any APD investigators and officers assigned to the task force will be responsible for carrying out the duties given by the investigative task force memorandum of understanding (MOU), and any additional duties assigned y their APD supervisors.

4.               ACTION

4.1              Creation of a Multi-Agency Investigative Task Force

4.1.1           The creation of an investigative task force will be for a specific purpose. Objectives will be clearly established and agreed upon in advance, by all participating agencies. (CALEA 42.2.7a)

4.1.2           An investigative task force will:

1.    Be initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

2.    Result in the grouping together of law enforcement personnel having those skills and resources necessary to resolve a particular crime (e.g., serial sex crimes, homicides, robberies, arsons, bombings, narcotics, vice, and burglary crimes, etc.).

3.    Focus on a set of specific critical or crime problems.

4.    Operate under the direction of a task force commander or director.

5.    Establish task force authority and responsibility.

6.    Define agency, supervisor and member accountability.

7.    Identify and make resources available.

4.2              Authority & Responsibility (CALEA 42.2.7b)

4.2.1           A multi-agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be prepared, establishing the overall framework for the operations of the task force, its purpose, objectives, chain of command, operational procedures, geographic area of operations, administrative procedures, media relations, distribution of condemned assets (if any) and other relevant matters. The MOU will be signed by the chief executive officer of each participating agency prior to the activation of the task force.

4.2.2           The legal authority of sworn task force personnel will be clearly explained to include means to handle incidents arising outside a member’s normal area of assignment or jurisdiction.

4.2.3           The responsibilities for each level of authority in the Task Force will be addressed. All duties and responsibilities for everyone assigned to the investigative task force must be clearly established. 

4.3              Accountability (CALEA 42.2.7c)

4.3.1           A control group (e.g., board of directors) will be formed to provide executive policy oversight for the task force. The control group is usually comprised of task force representatives from each participating agency. The control group should meet as needed, but no less frequently than on a quarterly basis to review the activities; to resolve problem areas; to assess and appropriate resources as needed; and to address personnel-related issues.

4.3.2           Deviation from existing Departmental policy and procedure by APD personnel while participating in the task force will require the approval of the Police Chief or his/her designee.

4.4              Resources (CALEA 42.2.7d)

4.4.1           The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should also delineate the resources to support and sustain task force operations.

4.4.2           Each participating agency should be tasked to contribute personnel, financial support, and other resources to sustain task force operations.

4.4.3           Appropriate control and accounting procedures and administrative checks and balances for funding used by the task force must be established.

4.4.4           Provisions for property accountability, equipment maintenance, and security procedures should be articulated in the task force memorandum of understanding (MOU).

4.5              Operations

4.5.1           The memorandum of understanding (MOU) will identify the specific crime problem being addressed and will specify the method by which the task force and other operations are to be conducted.

4.5.2           To ensure task force safety and effectiveness, a written operational plan will be prepared and approved through the task force chain of command before any enforcement action may be taken.

4.5.3           Sworn APD personnel assigned to a taskforce shall remain in their current position for a period of time to be determined by their Section Commander.  At the end of their assignment the APD sworn personnel will return to the worksite from which they were assigned prior to joining the taskforce.

4.6              Evaluation and Documentation (CALEA 42.2.7e)

4.6.1           The (MOU) will establish the method for evaluating task force results and the need to continue operations is essential. A monthly report of task force activities will be available for review by all participating agency heads and control group members.  In addition, a quarterly report outlining the taskforce activities must be submitted to the Chief and Assistant Chief of Police.

4.6.2           Performance indicators should be identified as a means to track the performance of the task force. Such indicators should be directly related to the overall objectives and goals of the task force.

4.6.3           Appropriate administrative records will be maintained regarding costs incurred and personnel hours expended.

4.6.4           Decisions regarding participation and withdrawal of resources will be established in the memorandum of understanding (MOU).

5.               Definitions

                  N/A

6.               CANCELLATIONS

                  APD.SOP.5190 Guidelines for Participating in Investigative Task Forces, signed June 15, 2004

7.               References

                  Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA Standard 42.2.7a-e)

                  5th edition