Mesa Police Department 2001 Annual Report

Persons Detail | Property Detail/Auto Theft Unit | Property Detail/Crime Free Unit | Center Against Family Violence | Special Investigations Division | Narcotics | Neighborhood Drug Interdiction Team | Asset Forfeiture | Special Crimes Apprehension Team | Gang Unit | G.R.E.A.T. | Mesa Gang Intervention Project | Intelligence Unit | Staff Resources |Training | Range | Human Resources | Career Development | Crime Prevention | Volunteers In Police Service | Senior Safety/Elder Abuse Program | Off Duty Employment

Special Investigations Division

The Special Investigations Division is comprised of seven different work units, or squads, that are responsible for the investigation of narcotics, vice and gang related activities within the city. A commander leads the division with a complement of 72 employees. The division is comprised of several units: Narcotics, Neighborhood Drug Interdiction Team (NDIT), Asset Forfeiture, Special Crimes Apprehension Team (SCAT), Gangs, and Intelligence.

Narcotics -- The Narcotics Unit's mission is to investigate middle to upper level narcotics dealers operating within the City of Mesa and to dismantle these organizations. Through November 2001 the Narcotics Unit seized in excess of $119,644 in cash and property, and purchased and/or seized the following amounts of illicit drugs valued at over $582,130. The following represents the amounts of drugs purchased or seized:

The Special Investigations Division and the units within the division have undergone a significant face change during the past year, which included several transfers and a reorganization. All units within SID have been given a significant amount of in-service training, which will ensure a successful transition.

The formation of a "Task Force" squad was implemented during the past year and has internally proven to be a very efficient way to operate. The "Narcotics" unit has been trimmed from seven detectives and a sergeant to five detectives and a sergeant. The two positions were reassigned to the Task Force unit, and the NDIT unit. However, investigations into upper level narcotics dealings have not suffered. The Narcotics unit has investigated many long-term cases, and has many investigations that are ongoing.  [Article: Police Go After 'Ecstacy' Dealers, Make 32 Arrests]   [Article: Cops Bust Drug Houses Valleywide]

Neighborhood Drug Interdiction Team (NDIT) -- The Neighborhood Drug Interdiction Team has been in place since April 1998, and continues to serve as a valuable resource to the entire department. This squad focuses on pro-active, community-based enforcement of drug-related issues that impact neighborhoods in Mesa. The squad primarily conducts knock and talk investigations that are designed to better address the concerns of citizens reporting suspected drug activity. Four additional detectives became certified Clandestine Lab investigators during 2001. With the increase in Clandestine Labs in Mesa, they will provide a valuable service to the citizens of Mesa in the dismantling and investigation of these dangerous, public health concern cases.

NDIT continues to work closely with the Mesa Police Department Patrol Division CAT Teams. This interdivisional cooperation eliminates the neighborhood house that is dealing methamphetamine and crack. NDIT will continue its efforts into identifying street level dealers, while continuing the investigation of club drugs and clandestine labs. All have proven to be a threat to Mesa's young adults and juveniles.

NDIT, in addition to performing all aspects of standard narcotic investigations, also follows up with all of the drug cases generated by the patrol division. Through November 2001, the squad posted the following results:

Asset Forfeiture -- The Asset Forfeiture Unit investigates financial aspects of narcotics-related cases. The unit is responsible for processing criminal investigations in which drug proceeds are seized from known drug dealers. Through November 2001, the unit filed 85 cases through the State and Federal Attorney's and was awarded 67 cases. This resulted in the award of $198,201.72 in federal and state forfeiture assets.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit will get out of the office and start doing more proactive investigations in reference to parcel interdiction. The detectives continue to be responsible for finding all of the illegal assets of the criminals and organizations, as they have in the past. The change will create the added responsibility of intercepting drugs and money that come into the City of Mesa via shipping outlets and the two airports.

Special Crimes Apprehension Team (SCAT) -- The Special Crimes Apprehension Team is responsible for enforcement of laws prohibiting vice operations, locating and arresting wanted felons, investigations into trafficking of stolen property, providing assistance to other police units, City of Mesa departments and other police agencies within the City of Mesa. SCAT provides covert services and search warrant service assistance in support of clearly defined law enforcement goals and objectives.

One case of trafficking in stolen property this past year entailed a three-month long investigation that resulted in charges being made against 22 people, three vehicles seized, over $20,000 worth of stolen property recovered and solving 200 cases. This investigation ended a theft ring that was also involved in counterfeiting U.S. currency, credit card fraud, prostitution and identity theft.

In 2001, SCAT conducted several very successful prostitution stings, including street prostitution operations, call out services, and customer apprehension stings. Some of these led directly to drug investigations and arrests.

Other accomplishments for 2001 include:

Gang Unit -- The Gang Unit is responsible for the investigation of gang-motivated incidents, enhanced enforcement for identified criminal street gangs, suppression of gang-related activity, providing intervention for at-risk juveniles, maintenance of gang member identification criteria files, and the collection and dissemination of intelligence information on criminal street gangs. The unit consists of one lieutenant, two sergeants, twelve detectives, and two civilian personnel. The Gang Unit has dedicated one detective to support the FBI gang task force during the last year and two detectives support the Mesa Gang Intervention Project.

Accomplishments for the Gang Enforcement Unit for 2001 include:

• 188 felony arrests
• 168 misdemeanor arrests
• 223 newly documented gang members
• 15 seized firearms
• Over 1,700 public contacts

Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) -- Due to a reorganization this past year, the GREAT Unit was assigned to the Gang Unit. The GREAT Unit consists of one sergeant and four officers. GREAT is designed to teach children about the risks of becoming involved in gangs or gang activity. GREAT instructors provide the core GREAT curriculum at 11 junior high schools in Mesa.

Accomplishments for the GREAT Unit for the year include:

• Over 6,000 junior high school students have received GREAT instruction during 2001. An additional 100 students received GREAT training during the summer school session.
• GREAT officers received 40 hours of re-certification training that enables them to begin teaching a new, enhanced 13 week GREAT curriculum.
• Some of the extra curricular activities GREAT officers have participated in include:
  • Conducted classes in leadership for Westwood High School students and Junior Marines.
  • Assisted with the W. Steven Martin Toy Drive for Christmas.
  • Participated with the weekly P.A.L. Open Gym program.

Mesa Gang Intervention Project -- Currently, the Project works with 180 gang members, associates and at-risk youth in a targeted area of the city. Services provided to participants include educational and cultural programs, anger management courses, substance abuse counseling, employment assistance, neighborhood organization and community service assistance, as well as a gang tattoo removal program.

Funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program expired this year. Because of the success of the Mesa Gang Intervention Project, it was sustained by the City of Mesa and continues to serve gang members, at-risk youth and their families in the community.

The Project staff attended the fourth annual International Gang Specialist Training Conference ("Gang Grad School 2001") held in Chicago, Illinois, August 15 through 17, sponsored by the National Gang Crime Research Center. The three-day conference was attended by representatives from almost all 50 states. At the conference, the Journal of Gang Research presented the Milton V. Thrasher Award for Outstanding Contributions Dealing with the Gang Issues. The Project was one of seven recipients receiving an award for Exemplary Program. The awards are named after Thrasher, considered to be the father of gang research and author of many publications on gangs.  [Article: Police Gang Intervention Project Wins Award]

Intelligence Unit -- The Intelligence Unit consists of a sergeant, five detectives, one criminal intelligence analyst and one Arizona National Guard criminal intelligence analyst. Although housed in the Special Investigations Division, the Intelligence Unit is a support unit for the entire department. The Unit is responsible for the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal intelligence information. The information is maintained in an automated database system, and utilized in all aspects of law enforcement. In addition, the Intelligence Unit is responsible for writing court order requests, monitoring and compiling the information from all pen registers, traps and traces. The Crime Analyst provides case support to all detectives upon request, in addition to crime mapping and other computer-related services.

The Intelligence Unit remains a central repository and dissemination outlet for all Mesa Public Schools, elementary, junior high and high schools, for gathering intelligence for problems relating to criminal activity. The Unit has one full-time detective dedicated to the collection, analysis, filing and dissemination of information related to potential criminal activity and threats to pupils and employees of Mesa Public Schools. This detective also plays an instrumental role in training school security members on current trends and issues.

The Intelligence Unit continues to participate in numerous local and federal programs and committees dedicated to improving and sharing the flow of information throughout the law enforcement community. This past year, the Intelligence Unit provided vital assistance to the FBI and the DPS Domestic Preparedness Center, contributing to the ongoing investigations into terrorist attacks.

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