NCJ Number
101330
Date Published
1983
Length
321 pages
Annotation
Testimony by Federal civilian law enforcement officials and a Defense Department official examines the implementation of Public Law 97-86, which provides for expanded military-civilian cooperation in drug law enforcement.
Abstract
Lawrence Korb, Assistant Secretary of Defense, explains the parameters of Public Law 97-86 and ways the military has used its personnel and equipment to assist drug law enforcement officials. These include use of specialized aircraft and personnel for surveillance and tracking as well as the training of civilian personnel to operate loaned military equipment. A potential problem pertains to civilian law enforcement reimbursement for the use of military resources not included in the military budget. Such reimbursements have not been readily obtainable. The director of the Office of Patrol of the U.S. Customs Service reports on how the Customs Service has benefited from expanded access to military aircraft useful in detecting, tracking, and apprehending drug smugglers. The Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Criminal Division reports civilian-military cooperation has increased the effectiveness of drug law enforcement. A representative of the General Accounting Office (GAO) reports on a GAO study that recommends improved, centralized coordination of civilian-military cooperative efforts.