TACOMA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Intra-Departmental Memorandum
TO:

Assistant Chief Kathy McAlpine

Investigations Bureau Commander

CID DM:

14-029

FROM:

Captain Shawn Stringer

Criminal Investigations

DATE:

May 20, 2014

SUBJECT:

CID TECHNOLOGICAL CRIME UNIT (TCU) PROPOSAL

The Tacoma Police Department Investigations Bureau currently has two separate technology groups.
The first is the Special Investigations Tech Unit which consists of three (3) Detectives. Their mission is
to seek out evidence using clandestine video, audio recordings and cell phone tracking. This Unit is
deemed one of the most successful of its kind in the State due to the organization and planning by its
members.
The second group is based out of the Criminal Investigations Division and is responsible for conducting
digital cellular, video and computer forensic examinations of recovered evidence. This group has no
formal structure and currently consists of three (3) digital forensics Detectives who each answer to
different supervisors. Each Detective has received hundreds of hours in training and certifications and is
qualified in their specific area. They have each developed work strategies based on what they believe
are the Departments current and immediate investigative needs. This lack of coordination has made it
difficult to develop an overall strategy for the recovery and processing of digital evidence. This has led
to ad hoc business practices that could cause issues when the evidence is presented in court. As
opposed to the SI Tech Unit, the CID group has no deliberate plan to ensure that the Department can
effectively recover, process and, most importantly, store digital evidence going forward into the future.
It is recommended that this second group be organized into a specific unit designated as the
Technological Crime Unit (TCU). The Unit would combine the Departments currently uncoordinated
efforts and be solely responsible for conducting all digital cellular, video and computer forensic
examinations for investigative units within TPD. As technology continues to expand, so does the
Departments need to provide high-tech forensic processing in order to aid in the successful
investigation, prosecution and conviction of criminals. With that, the Department must have a strategy
to stay current in technology and be prepared to deal with rapidly emerging advances.

To create a safe and secure environment in which to live, work, and visit by working together with the community, enforcing the law in a
fair and impartial manner, preserving the peace and order in our neighborhoods, and safeguarding our constitutional guarantees.
CID DM 14-029

Date: May 20, 2014

Subject: CID Technological Crime Unit (TCU) Proposal

Page 1 of 2

The creation of the TCU will aid the Department in the following areas:
Define a clear command structure;
Ensure court-approved digital evidence storage practices;
Cross train Detectives to reduce silos and limit capability loss should a trained Detective leave
the Unit or Department;
Track unit work output to determine current and future needs;
Ensure members of TCU meet national training standards in order to be deemed experts for
court.
The formation of the TCU will take the CIDs current scattered and uncoordinated efforts and combine
them into one working group. To assist the Department in conducting successful criminal investigations
involving digital evidence, the following recommendations are being made:
Designate the Tech Unit Sergeant currently assigned to SI to supervise all departmental
Technical Investigative activities to include the SI Tech Detectives and the TCU. This will
ensure no duplication of effort by either entity and create a clearly defined command and control
of the Departments overall technical evidence program.
Create a new position in Forensics to manage all of the Departments digital evidence databases
and assist in processing and, more importantly, storage of digital evidence. This will allow
consistency in the program and give the Department a designated technical expert.
Develop a Digital Evidence Recovery protocol for Forensics and Operations personnel. There
currently is no procedure, training or equipment for department personnel to recover digital
evidence in the field.
Train Forensics personnel to recover digital evidence in the field.
Purchase a proven digital picture/video evidence storage software package. The current system
was developed by a Forensics Tech who has since left the Department. The system is having
glitches that foretell of serious failures that could compromise the storage of critical photographic
evidence. The current system also does not allow for the storage of video evidence. Video
evidence is currently being stored on ad-hoc storage devices that could prove problematic if
challenged in court. Approximate cost of software/dedicated server $84,000.
*Of all the recommendations this one is considered most critical.
Technology has become integrated into all aspects of society and is ever increasing in use and
complexity. In order to collect and present digital evidence successfully in court, the Department must
have technical evidence policies that meet best practices. By having a developed plan that is managed
by a supervisor, the Investigations Bureau will stay up to date with current practices and be prepared for
rapidly approaching future trends. This will allow the Department to be successful in
investigating/prosecuting serious criminal activity in the community.
SDS:mat

To create a safe and secure environment in which to live, work, and visit by working together with the community, enforcing the law in a
fair and impartial manner, preserving the peace and order in our neighborhoods, and safeguarding our constitutional guarantees.
CID DM 14-029

Date: May 20, 2014

Subject: CID Technological Crime Unit (TCU) Proposal

Page 2 of 2