Training Local Law Enforcement Officers in Criminal Activities Involving Illegal Aliens.

MENU TITLE: Illegal Aliens Training Fact Sheet
Series: BJA
Published: November 1995
3 pages
4749 bytes

Bureau of Justice Assistance Fact Sheet

November 1995

Training Local Law Enforcement Officers in Criminal
Activities Involving Illegal Aliens

Complex problems are associated with illegal
aliens who commit crimes. Criminal aliens tend to
be drug-oriented and violent, often preying on
members of their own cultures. If deported, they
frequently use new names to reenter the United
States and establish residence in different
cities. Furthermore, aliens do not confine their
criminal activities to border cities--communities
throughout this country are experiencing
increasing alien involvement in drug importation
and distribution, weapons smuggling, and violence
against persons and property.

The escalation in alien crime has placed added
demands on State and local law enforcement
personnel. Effective identification of aliens
involved in crime requires familiarity with
fraudulent documentation. Proper arrest procedures
must be carried out, and complex notification and
reporting requirements must be satisfied;
otherwise, dangerous aliens can escape prosecution
and deportation. Handling the myriad problems
associated with alien crimes is often beyond the
capabilities of local police departments.
Accordingly, the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) provides vital
assistance to State and local law enforcement
agencies by answering questions about illegal
alien activities; new laws that can expand
investigative options; and ways that Federal,
State, and local authorities can work together to
combat alien crime.

Training Program

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S.
Department of Justice, provides funding to the
International Association of Chiefs of Police
(IACP) to conduct a tuition-free training program
for law enforcement officers. This training was
developed by the IACP in cooperation with INS'
training systems and experts. Participants may be
eligible to receive Peace Officers Standards and
Training (POST) credits; they must contact the
POST Council or Commission within their
jurisdiction to determine whether the training
hours qualify for POST credits.

The training course is taught by INS investigative
authorities and police officers who are
knowledgeable about the tactics used by alien
criminals. Specifically designed to enhance the
local police officers' ability to respond to
crimes committed by aliens, the course is
available to patrol and investigations personnel;
transportation police with full police powers,
such as railroad, airport, and harbor security
police; State attorneys general and county
district attorney investigators; campus police;
and other agencies directly involved in law
enforcement.

The training covers:

o An overview of fraudulent documentation commonly
used by illegal aliens.
o When and how to contact INS about a criminal
alien arrested by State or local police.
o Tactical considerations and recommendations for
responding to criminal aliens.
o Prosecution and deportation as a two-part
process.
o An overview of alien criminal gangs and
organizations.
o Examples of joint task force investigations.
o INS priorities for investigation, arrest, and
deportation of criminal aliens.

The program will provide three 2-day training
seminars throughout the United States. For
specific dates, locations, and registration
information, contact IACP.

Technical Assistance

Technical assistance is available from IACP to
agencies unable to send officers to the training
seminars.

Program Results

Since its inception in 1990, the Responding to
Alien Crimes seminar has been conducted in 15
cities nationwide. As of October 1995, the
seminars have been attended by 879 attendees
representing 430 agencies. Followup evaluations of
the seminars reveal that an overwhelming majority
of the attendees believe the information and
materials provided in the class enabled their
agencies to increase their interaction with INS
and broaden their capacity to respond to the
criminal alien problem.

For Further Information

For information on training dates, locations,
registration, and on technical assistance,
contact:

Carolyn Cockcroft
IACP/INS Training Program
515 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 1-703-836-6767 

For other information, contact:

Bureau of Justice Assistance Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
Tel: 1-800-688-4252
Fax: 1-301-251-5212
Internet: look@ncjrs.aspensys.com

U.S. Department of Justice Response Center
Tel: 1-800-421-6770