By Kelly Barna, Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters’ Fraud Prevention & Investigation (FP&I) group co-sponsored the 2014 Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA) Spring meeting, which was held May 4-7, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. Thomson Reuters was represented at the conference by Government Law Enforcement Leaders Brian Jenkins, Field Director and Kelly Barna, Regional Manager. The conference was hosted by the Texas Department of Public Safety. ASCIA is a collaboration of State Criminal Investigative Agencies with the mission of sharing innovative best practices to benefit public safety.
Some of the major areas of discussion during the conference included Human Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Child Exploitation, Major Gang Violence, Cyber Crime and Homeland Security Issues. Criminal issues have become global problems that must be addressed locally, so a large focus of the meeting included best practices on collaborating between State/Local & Federal Law Enforcement. Collaboration on these issues is essential to ensure the most effective and efficient process is being utilized to render public safety.
An example of this collaboration was discussed with Texas Department of Public Safety’s Operation Drawbridge. Operation Drawbridge utilized an innovative approach to efficient and effective monitoring of illegal activity along the Texas Border. Operation Drawbridge included the collaboration of Texas DPS, Texas Border Sheriffs, and U.S. Border Patrol. This successful operation was recognized with an award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Thomson Reuters for Excellence in Criminal Investigation.
ASCIA Members enjoyed a history lesson about the Texas Department of Public Safety from TX DPS Director, Steve McCraw. The members also enjoyed the rich cultural experience of the San Antonio Riverwalk, the Alamo, and the Don Strange Ranch.
Thomson Reuters’ support of ASCIA spring conference continues in 2014
