HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAG2021-504 - Original - Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration - Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Investigative Support for Critial Event Deconfliction - 7/31/1998 FILE COPY
NORTHWEST HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA
INVESTIGATIVE SUPPORT UNIT '`
AGENCY PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
For
CRITICAL EVENT DECONFLICTION
References
(a) Watch Center Procedures Sheet
(b) Western States Information Network.Constitution and Bylaws
Introduction
The purpose of the NW HIDTA's Deconfliction service is to enhance officer safety and the
efficiency of drug investigations through the exchange of operational and tactical information.
Critical Event deconfliction services are provided for a seven county HIDTA area consisting of
Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston, and Yakima counties. All law enforcement
agencies in Washington State conducting tactical field events (critical events) in the seven county
HIDTA area should participate in this officer safety program.
Advisory Boards
This NW HIDTA policy is established by the NW HIDTA Executive Committee as promulgated by
the NW HIDTA Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. Member agencies are represented by the
Executive Committee and Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. Any dispute relative to
membership, participation or any other matter may be brought to the attention of the Executive
Committee or their representatives and designees for resolution.
Duties of Membership and Participation
Only through the active and regular participation of member agencies can the objectives of the
Western States Information Network and the NW HIDTA Investigative Support Unit (ISU) be
accomplished. Three things must be done:
First, participating agencies are responsible having their agents, narcotics investigators and
tactical officers comply with the important points listed in these references.
Second, all investigators should make an inquiry of either WSIN or the Watch Center when
an active investigation is initiated on a violator.
Third, the Watch Center Deconfliction process must be used for increased officer safety.
The Watch Center is to be notified at the start and conclusion of all tactical field operations and
events. These are identified in the Watch Center procedures sheet.
Responses to all inquires and the deconfliction of events will be handled in accordance with the
guidelines established by references (a) and (b).
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Operations and Staffing
NW HIDTA employees staff the Information Services Unit commonly called the "Watch Center".
NW HIDTA employees are members of the Washington State Patrol exclusively assigned t
NW HIDTA program. The are also cross-designated as WSIN analysts with direct access to the
WSIN database from within the Watch Center. o the
Retention and Dissemination of Information
The retention and dissemination of intelligence information is in accordance with the rovisi
references (a) and (b). Member agencies are advised that the NW HIDTA WS p IN should not oot of
identified as an original source of information in any investigation (including
arrestbe
warrant affidavits) when they are merely acting as a referral mechanism for the ho de sd of e
original information. The NW HIDTA Analytical Unit may provide some original information
documents in an investigation, which can be identified at the a ro riat or
however this is considered on a case-by-case basis. PP P e Point in the investigation
Other Northwest HIDTA Services
In addition to the Watch Center, the NW HIDTA's Analytical Unit provides services such
production of link analysis, pen register and toll record analysis, time, date and event charts, the
The analysts are tasked to work with case agents and attorneys in direct support of investigations.s, etc.
Contact the Analytical Unit supervisor for case assistance. A technical equipmentprogram1
surveillance equipment for use in drug investigations. Contact the HIDTA's Electronics loans
for details. tan
Case Activation Policy—Agency To Adopt Procedures
Upon executing this participation agreement, a law enforcement agency agrees to implement
following policy. Whenever an agent/investigator begins an active investigation on a P o men, the
agent/investigator shall make an inquiry to the Watch Center checking the violator's name i
violator, the
database. If no active entry exists, the agent/investigator will provide sufficient data to activaten the
violator in the WSIN/Watch Center's indexing system. However, if the search revealsanac the
entry already existing in file, NW HIDTA analysts shall advise both the inquiring agency o ftthe
active status, and the agency which originally submitted and activated the subject of then Y the
Critical Event Deconfliction—Agency to Adopt Procedures qutry.
Deconfliction tracks Critical Events and is a new service to Washington State law enforcement
Critical Events are any law enforcement field deployment where a "blue on blue" co agencies.
as buy-bust, drug raid, surveillance operation, money launderinger conflict could arise, such
highly confidential and secure environment. A database plots Critical Events on a Geographic Info
pickup, etc. This service operates from a
System computer map of the HDTA region. When Deconfliction indicates that a conflict may exist,
Watch Center will immediately notify the concerned druorswho p rmatthe
other. Participants agree to contact the opposing agency and resolve potential conflicts
conflict with each
that might jeopardize fellow officers. before taking action
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Violators of Agreement
Where an agency believes that there is a failure by another participating agency to adhere to this
agreement, the offended agency shall document its complaint and forward it to ISU Manager within
ten (10) days. The ISU Manager shall immediately forward the complaint to the NW HIDTA
Director for review by the Executive Committee or their designee. The Executive Committee shall
in turn immediately notify the participating agency of the complaint. The participating agency will
have thirty (30) days to submit its documented response to the Executive Committee on their
designee after being notified of a complaint. Any confusion of disputed facts will be resolved by an
independent investigation as directed by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will
determine if the occurrence violated this agreement, including references (a) and (b) and may
sanction the participating agency by a majority vote.
Inter-Agency Notification Policy
Participating agencies are reminded that in addition to notification of the Watch Center of narcotic
related critical events, notification of the Watch Commander of the police agency having venue at
the time of a critical event is essential to officer safety. This notification is the responsibility of the
agency or agencies involved.
Certification of Compliance
As a condition of participation and membership in the Northwest HIDTA program, the undersigned
agency head, or designate, agrees to commit their agency to abide by the provisions of this
agreement.
Signed :
� b Y
Title:
Agency:
Date:
Please return this form when signed to the attention of:
Director, Northwest HIDTA
555 Andover Park West,Suite 201
Tukwila,Washington 98188
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