ALERT
Tackling Serious and Organized Crime in Alberta
History
Unprecedented economic growth led to the creation of
Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta in 1999.
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first foray into integrated policing
History
Integrated policing…
combines the efforts of multiple police agencies to target a specific
crime problem that is complex and crosses multiple jurisdictions.
History
Following the creation of CISA, other integrated units were formed:
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Integrated Response to Organized Crime (IROC)
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Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) units
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the Alberta Relationship Threat Assessment Management
Initiative (ARTAMI)
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other drug, gang, and intelligence units.
History
In 2006, the Government of Alberta established
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).
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arm’s-length from government
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brings together a number of integrated policing units
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a first for Canada
Mandate
ALERT…
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provides a coordinated provincial focus to the strategic
deployment of law enforcement resources
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promotes intelligence-led policing
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promotes standard business practices
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ensures fiscal responsibility
Mandate
Nine partner agencies:
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Camrose Police Service
Calgary Police Service
Edmonton Police Service
Lethbridge Regional Police Service
Medicine Hat Police Service
RCMP
Alberta Sheriffs
Alberta Justice
Alberta Children and Youth Services
Mandate
ALERT manages 400 police officers and personnel.
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Funding is provided by the Government of Alberta
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municipal police and RCMP contribute a number of positions
Governance
Civilian Board of Directors
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Members selected from police commissions and communities
policed by RCMP
Law Enforcement Advisory Committee
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Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs from partner agencies
Structure
Three operational categories:
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intelligence
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enforcement
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support services
Intelligence
Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta (CISA) and
regional intelligence teams:
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collect and share intelligence information
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work with other provinces and CISC
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developing a new, provincial intelligence model
Enforcement
Combined Forces Special Enforcement Units (CFSEU):
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specialize in organized crime, marijuana, drug, and gang
investigations
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located in Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Fort McMurray
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teams in Lethbridge, Red Deer, and Grande Prairie to follow
Enforcement
CFSEU enforcement officers:
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conduct long-term, in-depth, investigations
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target large criminal organizations
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employ a variety of investigative techniques
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are intelligence-led
Enforcement
Edmonton CFSEU
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18 month investigation
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4 people arrested
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5 kilograms of cocaine
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hashish, marijuana and magic mushrooms
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$275,000 cash
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30 firearms
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3 cars and 2 boats
Enforcement
Calgary CFSEU
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1-year investigation
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9 people arrested
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11 kilograms of cocaine
Enforcement
Medicine Hat CFSEU
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sophisticated marijuana grow operation
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8 people arrested
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2,000 marijuana plants
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$500,000 worth of grow equipment
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$70,000 cash
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$1 million worth of property
Enforcement
CFSEU Green Teams
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located in Edmonton and Calgary
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target and dismantle marijuana grow operations
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seized 65,000 marijuana plants worth $78 million in 2009
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could have produced 33 million joints
Support Services
Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) units
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target and apprehend people who prey on children online
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located in north and south
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time-consuming, in-depth, complicated investigations
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from 2007-2010, investigated nearly 1,600 alleged
predators and laid 466 child pornography charges
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nationally recognized best practices
Support Services
Integrated Threat and Risk Assessment Centre (I-TRAC)
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develops risk reduction plans for domestic violence and
stalking cases
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formed in 2007 by government of Alberta following plea
from Katherine Whitbread
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integrates experts from various fields
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first in Canada
Support Services
Safer Communities and Neighborhoods (SCAN)
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uses civil legislation to target problem properties being
used for illegal activities
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investigates complaints from the public
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can obtain an order to shut-down the property
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has responded to 565 complaints and resolved 461
informally
Support Services
Fugitive Apprehension Sheriffs Support Team (FASST)
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tracks, investigates, and arrests criminals wanted on
outstanding warrants
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has cleared 4,000 warrants and made 700 arrests
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Calgary JFO
Support Services
Sheriffs Investigative Surveillance Unit (SISU)
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conducts surveillance operations for police around the
province
Support Services
Alberta Specialized Law Enforcement Training (ASLET)
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provides elite training to ALERT officers and Alberta law
enforcement
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curriculum evolves to remain current and covers a variety
of topics
Performance
Proof of success
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Comprehensive business plan
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Quarterly and annual reports
Conclusion
Our results:
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2,500 arrests
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6,500 charges
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800 kilograms of drugs
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350 firearms
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countless crimes prevented and victims saved
Conclusion
Questions?