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Resolution authorizing expenditures in the amount $20,840.00 from Federal Forfeited Asset Fund monies for the acquisition of additional law enforcement equipment; the Handheld Rapid ID Devices, and their accompanying software licenses, software support and training, 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 Departments' 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 U.S. Department of Justice publication titled "A Guide to Equitable Sharing for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies" specifically 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 law enforcement equipment for use by law enforcement personnel that supports law enforcement activities.
The Coral Gables Police Department has identified an item of new equipment, the Handheld Rapid ID Device; this new equipment will enable officers to positively identify an individual during a criminal investigation in the field using wireless connectivity technology to State and National fingerprint databases.
The Forfeited Asset Fund Committee met on August 16, 2010, and approved this expenditure.