The malicious use of technology poses an unprecedented threat against our nation. While computers, smart devices, and other chip-enabled machines—as well as the networks that connect them—have enriched our lives and driven our economy, the malign use of these technologies harms our government, victimizes consumers and businesses, and endangers public safety and driven our economy, the malign use of these technologies harms our government, victimizes consumers and businesses, and endangers public safety and national security.

In February 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of a Cyber-Digital Task Force, which will canvass the many ways the U.S. Department of Justice is combatting the global cyberthreat and will identify how federal law enforcement can more effectively accomplish its mission in this vital and evolving area.  The task force will examine efforts to interfere with our elections; efforts to interfere with our critical infrastructure; the use of the internet to spread violent ideologies and to recruit followers; the mass theft of corporate, governmental, and private information; the use of technology to avoid or frustrate law enforcement; and the mass exploitation of computers and other digital devices to attack American citizens and businesses.  The initial report from the task force describing the department’s current cyber-related activities and offering initial recommendations will be completed no later than June 30, 2018. 

Clearinghouse users can build, download, and share a custom toolkit of evidence-based strategies, best practices, training, technical assistance, publications, and more.

The National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) Public Safety Clearinghouse (formerly known as the Violence Reduction Network) offers customized solutions to support violence reduction in communities across the country.  The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is the lead agency for the project.  In this role, BJA works closely with the other PSP agencies to ensure a cohesive partnership and successful effort. The clearinghouse provides the opportunity for users to build a custom “toolkit” based on specific areas of need, types of resources, agency size, and more. The clearinghouse includes model programs, best practices and strategies, trainings, technical assistance, webinars, podcasts, publications, lessons learned, peer exchange resources, and other resources. PSP invites you to visit the clearinghouse to explore strategies and resources that may be useful in your violence reduction efforts.

Sharing information, best practices, and lessons learned regarding state-of-the-art law enforcement information management; communications and interoperability; technology standards; and information sharing, analysis, and fusion serves to improve law enforcement’s mission.  The IACP Technology Conference (sponsored by the LEIM Section) provides law enforcement executives, IT managers, technology specialists, state and local CIOs and CTOs, researchers, and others interested in public safety technology with a forum in which to discuss these concepts and identify opportunities for technology integration within their agencies.  The conferences provide training, professional development, and a forum to share best practices and lessons learned on a broad array of new and emerging technologies.

As alleged in the complaint, Kingsley used an improvised explosive device in an attempt to target an NYPD officer, and he killed an innocent civilian in the process.  This office and our law enforcement partners will use every tool at our disposal to bring to justice those who endanger the community through acts of senseless violence. 

~Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York

On February 28, 2018, in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, a complaint was unsealed charging Victor Kingsley, a Brooklyn resident, with using a weapon of mass destruction that resulted in the death of a Queens, New York, resident in July 2017 and with the unlawful transportation of explosive materials.  Kingsley used the explosive device in an apparent effort to target New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers.

As alleged in the complaint, Kingsley built the explosive device used in the July 28, 2017, murder as part of his broader effort to retaliate violently against several police officers who were part of an NYPD unit that had arrested him in January 2014.  Despite the fact that the case against him was eventually dismissed, Kingsley methodically sought revenge against the officers.  He conducted internet searches and made telephone calls to determine the locations of the officers’ residences.  He also accumulated explosive device components via online purchases made through Amazon.  Ultimately, he arranged for an explosive device to be placed outside of the Queens residence in which he mistakenly believed one of his target officers resided.  The building owner inadvertently detonated the device when he tried to open it, and he died as a result of his injuries. If convicted, Kingsley could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The charges in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Produced by the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council, supported by the BJA, the document Understanding Digital Footprints: Steps to Protect Personal Information  provides material designed to assist law enforcement personnel in protecting themselves and their families from becoming cyber targets: protecting personal information, cyber dos and don'ts, and links to further cyber training and resources.

Researchers funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) studied the effects of Florida laws in addressing the opioid epidemic and found that they did indeed help reduce the number of pill mill clinics.

Florida is among the states hardest hit by the prescription drug abuse epidemic. In 2010, more people died in Florida from opioids than from cocaine. In the same year, prescription drugs were associated with 81 percent of all drug-related or drug-caused deaths, excluding those caused by alcohol. The next year, that percentage was even higher.

Florida’s state legislature has attempted to address the epidemic with a series of laws aimed at reducing the number of so-called pill mills—clinics that fuel the drug trade by prescribing large amounts of opioid drugs. Researchers funded by NIJ studied the effects of these laws and found that they did indeed help reduce the number of clinics. Through interviews with law enforcement officers, the researchers learned about the complexities of making a case against a pill mill and how the legislation helped. The study is part of an NIJ effort to understand the different ways in which states and local governments can work to disrupt the illegal market in prescription drugs.

The research described in this article was supported by a grant from the NIJ, awarded to the University of Central Florida. This article was based on the NIJ grant final report “Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs: Policy Change, Law Enforcement Activity, and Diversion Tactics.”