Title
A Resolution authorizing an expenditure in the amount of $28,650 from Federal Forfeited Asset Fund (F.A.F.) moneys for law enforcement equipment; the purchase of a TruNarc Spectrometer 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 for law enforcement equipment.
The Coral Gables Police Department has identified a need for a handheld narcotics identification system for officer and public safety. Upon a review and demonstration of various handheld devices, the Department has selected Thermo Fischer Scientific’s TruNarc Spectrometer, which can identify numerous narcotics in seconds through a single presumptive test. This equipment is periodically updated as new drug threats emerge and the equipment’s functionality will enable officers to field test substances without the potential for cross-contamination resulting in overdoses or even death. In addition, this type of device has become an approved method by the State Attorney’s Office when establishing probable cause during ...
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