Task Forces

[Redman]

In my very limited interactions with Feds it seems like nearly all of them have been assigned to task forces that include other local, state, and other federal LE agencies.

I always thought that agents and DUSMs went to their individual field offices every morning and worked cases individually, and only worked with other agencies only when necessary. It could just be me, but it seems like nearly every DEA Agent I've ever met is part of a drug task force, every DUSM I've ever met is part of a fugitive apprehension task force etc. ect.

Is it the norm for most 1811s to work on task forces now?

[LastChance36]

I can't speak for every 1811 in the country, but from a Local Det. assigned to a Fed. TF, IMHO with the increase in so many types of crimes, (ID Theft, White Collar, Child Porn, Fugitive, etc.) and the need to consolidate efforts to combat it, you will see more multi jurisdictional TF created over the next few years. The 1811's I work with seem to enjoy having the interaction with all the other TF Agents and I do as well. Having a business card for just about every local, state and fed agency in my desk makes working cases that much easier. To answer your question, I would say about 20-25% of the 1811's here are on some type of TF. I'm sure that percentage varies based on the size of the city in question.

[Group9]

DEA , USMS and the FBI are probably the biggest participants in federal/state/local task forces, but other agencies also use them from time to time. There is a good reason for using them.

They are essentially force multipliers for a federal agency, taking local and state officers, teaming them up with federal agents, and giving them training, resources and the jurisdiction of the parent federal agency, combined with the experience and local knowledge of the local and state officers.

It is a good system and one of the things the federal government actually does well.

And, of course, federal agents are also often assigned to task forces sponsored by state or local agencies, as well.

[SSA1811]

I realize this thread is over three weeks old, but I'm just catching up and wanted to add to what LastChance36 and Group9 had already stated.

From my perspective, Task Forces are generally either Agency/Department sponsored, or Initiative based. For example, Federal Agencies sponsoring Task Forces other than those already mentioned by Group9 include ATFE's Gang Task Forces, ICE's Border Task Forces, and USSS's Computer Crimes Task Forces; IRS-CI appears to be involved with most if not all of these Task Forces.

What I term Initiative based Task Forces would include: OCDETF (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces), HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Forces), and the ATTF (Anti-Terrorism Task Forces, as distinguished from the FBI sponsored JTTF's or Joint Terrorism Task Forces).

LastChance36's percentages regarding Agency participation (20 -25 %) appears to be reasonably accurate overall for most Federal Agencies.

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[Redman]

I realize this thread is over three weeks old, but I'm just catching up and wanted to add to what LastChance36 and Group9 had already stated.

From my perspective, Task Forces are generally either Agency/Department sponsored, or Initiative based. For example, Federal Agencies sponsoring Task Forces other than those already mentioned by Group9 include ATFE's Gang Task Forces, ICE's Border Task Forces, and USSS's Computer Crimes Task Forces; IRS-CI appears to be involved with most if not all of these Task Forces.

What I term Initiative based Task Forces would include: OCDETF (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces), HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Forces), and the ATTF (Anti-Terrorism Task Forces, as distinguished from the FBI sponsored JTTF's or Joint Terrorism Task Forces).

LastChance36's percentages regarding Agency participation (20 -25 %) appears to be reasonably accurate overall for most Federal Agencies.

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Better late than never SSA, thanks for responding

Thanks to everyone else as well. Since I since I started this thread I have been lucky enough to get an internship with a HIDTA task force. The info you guys provided has been very helpful.

[BSmitty]

I was an S/A with IRS-CI and spent most of my career (24 years) on task forces (Strike Force, OCDETF, others). It was much more enjoyable to go after the big targets and work with state and local officers, as well as other feds. Plus more travel, bigger seizures, more time out of the office and away from the civil service BS. I hear IRS has cut back on this lately, but some guys are still at it, and I recommend it.

[SSA1811]

BSmitty: Welcome to RP. You bring up some interesting points about Task Force participation in your first post, all of which are valid. However, don't forget to mention that you will also generally put in more hours too! Let's just say you will never have to worry about making your LEAP average.


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[LastChance36]

on our TF and considering that is 1/3rd of the local FO, we feel lucky to have them when we need them, esp. this time of year!! God bless the accountants with badges because that stuff makes my brain lock up!! :D

I was an S/A with IRS-CI and spent most of my career (24 years) on task forces (Strike Force, OCDETF, others). It was much more enjoyable to go after the big targets and work with state and local officers, as well as other feds. Plus more travel, bigger seizures, more time out of the office and away from the civil service BS. I hear IRS has cut back on this lately, but some guys are still at it, and I recommend it.