Featured Article
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: An Epidemic
By Dean Mahlum, RMIN Law Enforcement Information Coordinator, Montana
“It’s not safe to be an Indian woman in Montana. That is why the Indian Caucus is leading the charge in the 2019 Montana Legislative session on passing laws to protect and prioritize missing and murdered Indigenous women. It is a hidden epidemic that has permeated all aspects of our lives. The data and the research on missing and murdered Indigenous women in Montana have been nearly non-existent. When Native women go missing, the cases are regularly underreported. The lack of reliable data, and the lack of formal studies on violence against women in Indian country, has made it difficult to address this widespread epidemic.”
Key RISS Representatives Participate in NNOAC Conference
The National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC) held its annual conference in Washington, DC, in February. Many key RISS representatives participated in the conference, including RISS policy board members, the RISS Directors, the RISS Chief Information Officer, and the RISS Chief Technology Officer. For many years, RISS and the NNOAC have shared a strong partnership. The NNOAC represents…
Questions?
Your RISS Chief Information Officer, Matt McDonald, is representing you at numerous nationwide meetings and working to identify new resources and partnerships to help you in your efforts. Questions or ideas?
Contact Matt at mmcdonald@riss.net
RISS Centers Make a Difference Every Day
Quotes
“The RISSProp database is a phenomenal tool for investigators. Thank you NESPIN for providing such a valuable resource.”
—Detective John Coburn
Pepperell, Massachusetts, Police Department
“The concurrent use of the equipment and technology enabled the collection of sufficient probable cause to finally make an arrest in this long investigation. Having access to the many different types of equipment from ROCIC is an important resource for us. We appreciate the many different resources that ROCIC offers.”
—Captain Lynn Waterworth
Jonesboro, Arkansas, Police Department
Shared Successes
A MAGLOCLEN Global Positioning System vehicle tracker was utilized by the Buffalo, New York, Police Department; the Erie County, New York, Sheriff’s Office; and the New York State Police in a narcotics investigation. The equipment was used to track a semitrailer truck that was involved in importing illegal drugs and to assist investigators in gaining probable cause for search warrants. The investigation resulted in the arrests of three individuals on narcotics charges and the seizures of 17 kilos of cocaine, valued at $595,000, and $650,000 in U.S. currency.
The United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Iowa, contacted the MOCIC analytical staff for assistance in a human trafficking case. Authorities charged seven individuals with various counts of sex trafficking involving six separate victims. The MOCIC staff provided analytical products related to evidence obtained in the investigation. All seven suspects pled guilty to various individual charges, including sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking; and transporting across state lines for the purpose of prostitution.
The Polk, Oregon, Interagency Narcotics Team (POINT) was investigating a drug trafficking organization that was selling methamphetamine. Utilizing the RISS Criminal Intelligence Database (RISSIntel) and RISSafe, POINT identified several suspects and facilitated the coordination of several agencies’ efforts, which produced a successful outcome. POINT arrested a low-level methamphetamine dealer, who then led them to a mid-level dealer. A RISSIntel hit on the mid-level dealer connected POINT with three other active investigations concerning the target an investigation by the Linn County, Oregon, Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team and two U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap investigations. After successfully arresting the mid-level dealer and seizing methamphetamine, POINT identified the main methamphetamine supplier, arrested him, and seized a large amount of methamphetamine. All of this was possible because of great detective work, interagency cooperation, and RISS resources.
