ATF Recognizes Exceptional Law Enforcement Work at their Annual Chiefs of Police Executive Forum on Crime Guns
Local Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded for their Efforts to Advance Crime Gun Intelligence
WASHINGTON – Last week, ATF honored three law enforcement agencies at ATF’s third annual Chiefs of Police Executive Forum on Crime Guns. Crime Gun Intelligence (CGI) means using evidence-based, data-driven tools to generate actionable intelligence to catch violent criminals and those who supply those criminals with their guns. ATF is the leading agency on CGI and provides tools, like the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) and eTrace systems, with law enforcement partners across jurisdictions to rapidly develop and pursue investigative leads that help clear criminal cases which in turn can help drive violent crime rates down and secure justice for victims. The award recipients represented agencies who made significant contributions in the use of crime gun intelligence.
“I am honored to recognize our exceptional law enforcement partners who work hard every day to protect our communities,” said ATF Director Dettelbach. “These Departments and leaders combine the best of the new and the old. They risk it all every day out there on the street, while also innovating and using the best new tools — like crime gun intelligence — to catch the worst of the worst. The people in their cities are better off and safer because they are there.”
ATF awarded the Manchester (NH) Police Department (MPD), which created a comprehensive policy to contribute to and use both ATF’s eTrace systems and NIBIN. They have applied for a federal grant to purchase a BrassTrax machine and facilitated NIBIN training for other departments. The combined success of these CGI tools—and their persistent commitment to information-sharing and partnership—has made MPD a leader in crime gun intelligence in their region.
“I was honored to present New Hampshire Police Chief Allen Aldenberg with an award for Excellence in Crime Gun Intelligence last week,” said ATF Boston Field Division Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson. “This recognition highlights Chief Aldenberg and Manchester Police Departments outstanding efforts and contributions in utilizing Crime Gun Intelligence to combat firearm-related crimes effectively.”
ATF also recognized the Central Ohio Regional Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), which was established earlier this year and has already made a tremendous impact on gun violence in the region. The CGIC includes a team of intelligence analysts who conduct CGI analysis and lead dissemination, a Crime Gun Enforcement Team who investigates leads, and a NIBIN site to conduct NIBIN acquisitions. Since its establishment, the CGIC has significantly expedited the NIBIN process and trained over 120 officers from agencies surrounding the city of Columbus. The CGIC team is made up of four primary partners: the Columbus Division of Police, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC).
“Our Central Ohio Regional CGIC partners emulate the definition of Excellence in Crime Gun Intelligence. In less than nine months these agencies came together jointly to reduce NIBIN acquisitions from an average of 41 days from incident to acquisition to just two days. This partnership is yielding a noticeable reduction in fatal and non-fatal shootings in the Columbus, OH area,” said ATF Columbus Field Division Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Nokes. “We look forward to continued success in our joint efforts reducing violent crime.”
Finally, the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) was awarded for its exceptional application of firearm tracing and ballistics analysis. Since acquiring its first BrassTrax machine in 2017, SAPD has steadily expanded its program, now boasting one of the nation's largest contributions to NIBIN. SAPD helps ensure swift and thorough investigations by offering acquisition services to surrounding agencies and facilitating urgent submissions for high-profile incidents. SAPD has also partnered with ATF to apply innovate strategies under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to combat firearm theft and trafficking.
“Crime gun intelligence is a critical tool used to fight gun violence,” said ATF Houston Field Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel. “I am incredibly proud of the resources and support that Chief Salas and his team have poured into the program. Thank you for the continued partnership and I wish you congratulations on your award.”
ATF hosted their annual Chiefs of Police Executive Forum on Crime Guns on June 5-6, 2024, at their headquarters in Washington DC. The Forum brought together dozens of Police Chiefs and other law enforcement leaders from across the country to discuss the shared goal of using evidence-based tactics to investigate and prevent gun violence in local communities.
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