Whether implementing a regional or agencywide preventive crime gun strategy, the establishment of formal policies is a critical factor that must be addressed. These policies can be wide-ranging in scope, affecting entire local, regional, or national populations, and they can be narrow in scope, affecting only a single organization. For example, at least three states now have laws mandating that all police agencies in the state utilize the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) when investigating firearm-related crimes. On the other hand, absent a statutory requirement, a police agency may have its own internal policy to do the same, while a neighboring agency may not.
However, merely developing policy is not enough – these policies must be adhered to in order to ensure success of the initiative. Therefore, polices must be routinely reviewed for performance and accountability purposes.
Fortunately, there are many resources to assist law enforcement and lab personnel to develop formal policies, beginning with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2012 Resolution on Regional Crime Gun Processing Protocols and the 2018 Resolution on Support for the Development of Comprehensive Crime Gun Intelligence Strategies, as well as their recently adopted Firearm Recovery Model Policy.
Led by IACP Firearms Committee Member Pete Gagliardi and retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Chief, Firearms Operations Division Michael Eberhardt, this webinar will provide attendees with an in-depth discussion into the process of developing meaningful and sustainable crime gun intelligence policies, as well as strategies that have been implemented to ensure these policies are followed. The new ATF NIBIN Minimum Required Operating Standards will be discussed, and strategies for ensuring compliance will be shared.