NCJ Number
155702
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 64 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 6-8
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In the late 1980's, the Virginia State Police recognized the need for more concentrated efforts to capture fugitives, and a fugitive unit was established that involved close cooperation with local sheriffs, police chiefs, and Federal agencies.
Abstract
To facilitate cooperation, the State Police invited local law enforcement agencies to develop a task force designed to handle fugitive cases better. As a result, the Tidewater Fugitive Apprehension Task Force (TFATF) was formed. The TFATF mission is to reduce the number of wanted felons in the Tidewater region of Virginia, a region that covers about 1,100 square miles. All task force officers have experience in working fugitive investigations. Some investigators receive formal instruction in fugitive investigations at police training facilities, while other investigators learn through on-the-job training. Each participating department contributes an officer to the TFATF, and the task force works cases from all jurisdictions. The TFATF receives cases in two primary ways: (1) if a warrant bureau from one of the police departments attempts to serve a warrant without success, it can turn over the case to the task force; and (2) task force members can pull felony arrest warrants on file with their own departments. A case study involving a Florida fugitive in the Tidewater area is described to illustrate TFATF success.