Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Free online event: Parole Violations and Revocations

July 8, 2009
2 pm–4 pm (Eastern Time)

Online event. Registration required, and free of charge

Provisions for community supervision of offenders, including probation, parole, and revocations for violations, vary significantly across the United States. Frustrating at times, this variety provides a valuable opportunity for states to learn from the policies, failures, and the successes in other states.

California prisons release nearly 120,000 prisoners each year, and roughly two-thirds of them will be back in prison within three years—the highest return-to-prison rate in the nation. Six out of ten admissions to California prisons are returning parolees, and on any given day, parole violators make up nearly a third of the state’s prison population.

Unfortunately, scientific knowledge about parole is so limited that, despite the fact that more than a dozen reports have urged an overhaul of California’s parole practices, exactly what needs to be done remains unclear.

This online panel will discuss the results from a three-year study recently completed and supported by the National Institute of Justice that examined the ways in which decision makers respond to parole violations in California. The study represents the largest and most comprehensive study of parole violations ever conducted, and the lessons learned will be instructive to policy makers and practitioners in other states.

The discussion will be moderated by Jeremy Travis, President of John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The panel includes:

Joan Petersilia, Ph.D. - Professor of Law, Stanford Law School, Stanford, California
Ryken Grattet, Ph.D. - Professor of Sociology, University of California, Davis
Thomas Hoffman - Director, Division of Adult Parole Operations, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Peggy Burke - Principal, Center for Effective Public Policy
Register today.
http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/spotlight.html?id=2393

Friday, June 26, 2009

Ford Motor Company Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Bring Teen Driving Summer Camp to Minnesota

In an effort to reduce teen crashes and fatalities in Minnesota, the Ford Motor Company Fund, the Governors Highway Safety Association, Westfield Insurance and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety are hosting Twin Cities' teens at the Ford Driving Skills for Life teen driving summer camp. This free, once-in-a-lifetime driving experience is being held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, June 26-28.

Vehicle crashes are the number-one killer of teens in Minnesota and nationwide. In Minnesota 2006-2008, teen drivers (16-19) were involved in 48,799 traffic crashes, resulting in 226 deaths. In all, 137 teens ages 16-19 were killed in crashes.

Students will receive hands-on advanced training by some of the nation's top professional driving instructors. Participants will learn techniques in four key skill areas: speed management, space management, vehicle handling and hazard recognition. Experts have identified the lack of these skills to be the cause of approximately 60 percent of vehicle crashes for newly licensed drivers ages 16 to 19. Through the training camp, teens will gain valuable driving experience and improve their driving safety skills; parents are welcome to attend as well.

"We are looking forward to bringing the Ford Driving Skills for Life program to Minnesota," said Jim Graham, community relations manager of the Ford Motor Company Fund. "The Ford Driving Skills for Life program is designed to help teens learn important lessons in road safety that are often not discovered until it is too late. The Ford Motor Company Fund is committed to combating the alarming rate of teen crashes and fatalities."

Cheri Marti, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety and a member of GHSA's executive board, says this event is important to give new teen drivers hands-on experience. She adds the program encourages parents to stay involved in continuing to train and monitor their teen drivers.

"Teen drivers pose a threat to themselves, their passengers and other drivers due to their inexperience and risk-taking behind the wheel," says Marti, noting summer is the deadliest period on the road for teen drivers. "This program is a great opportunity to teach teens valuable skills they need to avoid tragedy on the road.”

Thursday, June 25, 2009

RAD: Rape Aggression Defense

On July 10, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion former parole officer and RAD Instructor Kimberly Cheryl Elliot.

Program Date: July 10, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: RAD: Rape Aggression Defense
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/11/RAD-Rape-Aggression-Defense

About the Guest
Kimberly Cheryl Elliott spent 17 years and parole and probation officer for Missouri State Division of Probation and Parole. She “is a seasoned marketing professional with 18 years experience in pharmaceutical sales and management. As a victim of crime, she is very passionate about her career as founder and managing partner of Executive Defense Technology, LLC, an anti-victimization education firm. As a speaker, author, consultant and Nationally Certified RAD (Rape/Aggression/Defense) Instructor, she helps clients optimize their personal safety. As a seminar leader, she provides a comprehensive course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands on defense training. Her clients include everyone from elderly church group members and housewives to employees of law firms, TV / Radio Stations and other Fortune 500 Corporations.”

Kimberly Cheryl Elliott is the author of Escape From The Pharma Cartel: My Life as a Member of the Pharmaceutical Drug Cartel; Take This Pill and... Sell It!: A Guide To Getting A Job In The Pharmaceutical Industry; Shattered Reality; and, Are Your Habits Killing You? A Complete Personal Handbook Of Safety Suggestions to Incorporate into Your Everyday Life: Because the Best Defense Is a Good Offensive Plan!

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is
police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the
Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Government Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/11/RAD-Rape-Aggression-Defense

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Webinar on Interoperable Voice Communications, June 30, 2009

The NLECTC Communications Technologies Center of Excellence (COE) will be hosting a webinar on Interoperable Voice Communications on Tuesday, June 30th at 1:30 PM EDT.

To register for the event go to:
www.livemeeting.com/lrs/8001859620/Registration.aspx?PageName=pl0s1w7j57j16n34

Certified Field Search Instructors Training Course, August 13-14, 2009, Denver, Colorado
NLECTC-RM is pleased to announce we will be sponsoring a course which will qualify individuals as Certified Field Search Instructors (CFSI). Once certified, these individuals will be able to teach and certify Field Search users within your department or agency.

When: August 13 and 14 - 08:00-17:00
Where: Denver, CO, University of Denver Campus
Instructor: Dr. Jim Tanner, KB Solutions, Inc.
Cost: Free (attendees are responsible for their own travel costs).

Eligibility: The class is open to any representative of a Federal, State, or local governmental agency. Experience and proficiency with Field Search must be demonstrated by the applicant. Individuals who have attended an NLECTC sponsored Field Search class (“Managing Sex Offenders’ Computer Use”) will be given priority in selection. Other Field Search training (i.e. APPA, ICAC, HTCIA, or conference labs) will also be weighted in the selection process.

Applicants must provide a letter from their agency that states they are authorized to be trained as a Field Search Instructor.

Benefits: Individuals holding the CFSI qualifications are licensed to use the Field Search Curriculum and class practicals developed by KBSolutions. This allows them to teach one-day classes certifying government agency staff in the use of Field Search.

How to Apply: Contact Sue Kaessner (sue.kaessner@nlectc-rm.org) for an application.

Course Content: The course is a two day intensive seminar taught by the Field Search Project Manager. Students will utilize and test every aspect of FSWin and FSMac while learning the one day course curriculum. At the end of the course, students will demonstrate their expertise in Field Search through examination.

Space is limited, apply early.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Forensic Investigator

On July 24, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Esther McKay, a former Detective Senior Constable and Forensic Investigator with the New South Wales Police Force (Australia).

Program Date: July 24, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic:
Forensic Investigator
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/25/Forensic-Investigator

About the Guest
Esther Mckay served seventeen years in the New South Wales Police Force, attaining the rank of Detective (technical) Senior Constable. She worked in the area of Forensic Services for fifteen years, attaining expert status in crime scene examination and vehicle identification. She also worked in Training and Research, as well as Document Examination. She has a Diploma of Applied Science in Forensic Investigation (NSW Police), and was awarded the National Medal for service in 2001 and the Ethical and Diligent Police Service medal with fifteen-year clasp in 2008.

Esther Mckay was discharged from the force in 2001 with post-traumatic stress disorder as a direct result of her forensic work. Her best-selling autobiography, Crime Scene: True Stories from the Life of a Forensic Investigator.

Esther Mckay works actively in supporting traumatized serving and former Police and is the President of the Police Post Trauma Support Group. She was awarded the Pride of Australia Medal in 2007 for Community Spirit for her work with traumatized Police, and regularly speaks to various groups and schools about her life experience, writing and former forensic work. Esther is patron of the Australian Missing Persons Register and has been an Australia Day Ambassador since 2007. She lives in the Southern Highlands with her husband and two children.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is
Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles
Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/25/Forensic-Investigator

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research: For Law Enforcement, Prosecutors and Judges

by Andrew R. Klein
Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research: For Law Enforcement, Prosecutors and Judges describes for practitioners what the research tells us about domestic violence, including its perpetrators and victims, the impact of current responses to it and, more particularly, the implications of that research for day-to-day, real-world responses to domestic violence by law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges.

READ ON
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/crime/intimate-partner-violence/practical-implications-research/welcome.htm

National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law

The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law assembles the available scientific, technological, and relevant legal resources into a comprehensive “one-stop” searchable database with equal access for all. NCSTL provides: a searchable database of legal, forensic, and technology resources; a reference collection of law, science, and technology material; partnerships with law schools, professional associations, and federal and state agencies; national conferences on science, technology, and the law; community acceptance panels; training modules and primers with an emphasis on distance education; and training for defense counsel who are handling cases involving biological evidence on the applications and limitations of DNA evidence as stated in the President’s DNA Initiative.

VISIT THE WEBSITE
http://www.ncstl.org

CCTV & IP Video Surveillance Newsletter

It’s certainly been a heck of a month, what with a huge increase in news stories, and of course that tiny security extravaganza held at the NEC. IFSEC 2009 may be over for yet another year, but with excessive foot swelling and no fingerprints left on both of my typing fingers, the memories will certainly linger awhile. In the great scheme of things this years show was, despite predictions to the contrary, a resounding success.

READ ON
http://www.police-technology.net/myfiles/cctv&ipvideosurveillance.pdf

The History of Policing

From 2600 BCE to modern times, there have been some interesting developments in law enforcement. This downloadable document takes a concise, yet thorough, look at the development of American law enforcement.

READ ON
www.police-writers.com/articles/history_of_policing.html

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

NLECTC Communications Technologies Center of Excellence

Announces a June 30th Webinar on Interoperable Voice Communications

The NLECTC Communications Technologies Center of Excellence (COE) will be hosting a webinar on Interoperable Voice Communications on Tuesday, June 30th at 1:30 PM EDT. Center Director, Rick Mulvihill, who will be joined by Charlie Stephenson and Ed Vea, will present the state of current interoperable communication issues facing Federal, State and local public safety agencies and departments, along with available methods for establishing or enhancing a department's current level of interoperability, and an overview of some of the emerging technologies that will change the way first responders communicate in the future.

The NLECTC Communications Technologies COE will be hosting a series of webinars over the next year, occurring every eight weeks. Invitations and registration information will be sent to all JUSTNet News subscribers in the coming weeks.

About the Communications Technologies Center of Excellence

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice (NIJ) established the NLECTC Communications Technologies Center of Excellence (COE) in October 2007 to serve as a specialized technology resource for the 19,000+ State and local law enforcement and corrections agencies across the U.S. Learn more at www.commtechcoe.org

This project is supported by Award No. 2007-IJ-CX-K013 and Supplement one awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this webinar are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Advancing Criminal Justice Policy, Practice, and Technology

Application Deadline: July 6, 2009 11:45 PM eastern time.

NIJ seeks applications for funding of specific innovative, high-payoff projects and activities fostering the adoption into practice of new, cutting-edge policy, practice, and/or technology related to: courts, crime and crime prevention, drugs and crime, forensic sciences, law enforcement, relevant technology and tools, and victims and victimization.

More information