The Department of Justice's Terrorism Task Forces

Evaluation and Inspections Report I-2005-007
June 2005
Office of the Inspector General


Appendix III

Electronic Systems Used by the Task
Forces: LEO, RISS, and NLETS


Communication
System
Content and Services Organization Users
LEO

  • Contains Law Enforcement Online Special Interest Groups that provide access for members of specialized organizations and law enforcement disciplines
  • Capability to send and receive e-mail between LEO users and unsecured Internet email addresses
  • Bulletin boards for posting information events from local, state, and federal law enforcement, criminal justice, and public safety agencies
  • Concise information on various topics and news briefs
  • Contains "chat" features for users to communicate electronically in a secure environment in real time
  • Electronic calendar used to post upcoming dates for conference meetings, training courses, seminars, and other dates
  • Library containing broad range of publications, documents, studies, and research
  • Learning modules

  • 32,500 members (2/3 are state and local, 1/3 are federal, and some international users)
  • Started in 1995
  • Operates as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) with secure access through the Internet
  • Connected to Riss.net

  • JTTF
  • NJTTF
  • ATAC Coordinators (to communicate with law enforcement)

RISS

  • Information sharing (bulletin boards, contact lists, national gang database, publications)
  • 6 regional criminal intelligence databases available for simultaneous query
  • Data analysis (telephone toll case, financial, computer forensics, and criminal activity analyses)
  • Telecommunications (long distance telephone service)
  • Investigative Support (some financial support available for multi-jurisdictional investigations)
  • Equipment Sharing (investigative equipment available for loan to members)
  • Training (coordinated or conducted by staff)

  • Nearly 6,000 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are members
  • First center opened in 1974
  • Objective is to enhance the ability of law enforcement to identify, target, and remove criminal conspiracies that may span jurisdictions, including international
  • Comprised of 6 regional centers, operates in all 50 states, D.C., U.S. territories, Canada, England, and Australia.
  • A secure network utilizing Web-based technology
  • Received $24.9 million from Congress in 2001

  • JTTF
  • ATAC Coordinators (to communicate with law enforcement and members)

NLETS

  • Links together state, local, and federal law enforcement and justice agencies for information exchange
  • Acts primarily as a network provider
  • Also acts as a data warehouse to justice community
  • Contains links to member agencies, state, and other related websites
  • Shares driver's license information

  • International computer based message switching system
  • Operates in a secure environment
  • User population includes all states/territories, selected international agencies, and all federal agencies with a justice components
  • A 501(c)(3), not for profit agency
  • Representatives from each state elect a Board of Directors and Officers
  • Membership dues are primary source of income
  • Supported by a central computer system at the Arizona Department of Public Safety

  • JTTF



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