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A Resolution authorizing expenditures in the amount of $10,000 from Federal Forfeited Asset Fund (F.A.F.) monies for law enforcement training; the creation of a training video as part of the Autism Wallet Card Program for utilization by the Coral Gables Police Department.
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The Coral Gables Police Department participates with federal law enforcement agencies of the United States Departments of Justice, Treasury and/or Homeland Security in joint law enforcement investigations. The Coral Gables Police Department's participation in those joint federal - local investigations produces federally seized funds. At the discretion of the United States Attorney General under United States Statute: 18 U.S.C. Section 981 (e)(2), and 21 U.S.C. Section 881 (e)(1)(A) and (e)(3)(b), the Coral Gables Police Department may lawfully receive equitable shares of the federally seized funds at the conclusion of the legal proceedings.
The "Guide to Equitable Sharing for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies" by the United States Department of Justice provides that the equitably shared forfeited asset funds resulting from the participation of a local agency in investigations with Federal law enforcement agencies may be utilized by the participating local agency to acquire and/or provide training in any area that is necessary to perform official law enforcement duties.
The Coral Gables Police Department, through a partnership with the Disability Independence Group (DIG) and the University of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), has helped to create the Autism Wallet Card Program, where individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder receive a "Wallet Card" to be utilized during contacts with first-responders. The proposed F.A.F. funds will be used to develop a training video for both law enforcement officials and individuals receiving the "Wallet Card" to provide guidance and when and how to utilize the card. DIG and CARD have each contributed $5,000 toward the effort to develop this training video.
The Forfeited Asset Fund Committee met on August 5, 2014 and approved this expenditure.