NCJ Number
199755
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 70 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2003 Pages: 45,48,51
Date Published
March 2003
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the features and uses of the Sexual Crimes Clearinghouse (SCCH) developed by the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD).
Abstract
The MDPD is the largest law enforcement agency in the southern United States, serving not only a large unincorporated area but also providing assistance to 30 municipalities. In 2001, the MDPD investigated 2,199 sexual offenses, many of which involved the victim being transported across jurisdictional boundaries. Records of ongoing criminal activity and the identity of the sexual-crime perpetrators were most often kept by the investigating agency and not shared with neighboring jurisdictions. In January 1999, MDPD's Sexual Crimes Bureau began the process of establishing the SCCH, which is designed to be a multijurisdictional link that promotes communication and coordination among all law enforcement agencies that share a common geographical boundary. The SCCH is also an investigative tool for the south Florida area, as it provides real-time intelligence information that relates to sexual offenses; trends and patterns in criminal behavior can be identified. The clearinghouse has expanded its data gathering since its inception to include extensive intelligence files on registered sexual predators and offenders, indecent exposure subjects, and individuals involved in suspicious activities that may be related to or lead to sexual offenses. This article includes descriptions of the personnel, cooperation, and technology involved in the operation of the SCCH. It also briefly describes some cases in which the SCCH was instrumental in identifying a suspect and making an arrest.