Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police | National News

‘Click it’ success nets $5 million for W.Va.

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:31:00 -0500

In 1993, West Virginia became one of the last states to mandate wearing seat belts. Drivers still can't be stopped just for not wearing their seat belts. Despite that, more drivers buckle up in West Virginia than in just about any other state, federal officials said Wednesday.

The designation gives West Virginia a $5 million federal grant, which the state plans to use to help pay for laptop computers in police cars.

West Virginia had to have at least an 85 percent seat-belt usage for two consecutive years to qualify for the U.S. Department of Transportation grant. The state achieved an 88.5 percent rating in 2006 and 89.5 percent in 2007.

States make room for DNA samples

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:56:00 -0500

Five states are slated to begin new sampling of suspects arrested for felony offenses between July and January 2009. Of those, North Dakota, California, Maryland and Kansas are spending millions of dollars to prepare for the additional testing. South Dakota, which will begin additional sampling in July, built a new lab in 2006.

Marone, who also is director of Virginia's Department of Forensic Science, said Virginia expanded its sampling in 2003 from convicted felons to include suspects arrested, but not tried, for seven felony offenses.

External Link to Article

U.S. to Expand Collection Of Crime Suspects’ DNA

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:58:01 -0500

Policy Adds People Arrested but Not Convicted

The U.S. government will soon begin collecting DNA samples from all citizens arrested in connection with any federal crime and from many immigrants detained by federal authorities, adding genetic identifiers from more than 1 million individuals a year to the swiftly growing federal law enforcement DNA database.

The policy will substantially expand the current practice of routinely collecting DNA samples from only those convicted of federal crimes, and it will build on a growing policy among states to collect DNA from many people who are arrested. Thirteen states do so now and turn their data over to the federal government.

External Link to Article

Supreme Court OK’s lethal injections, executions back on

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:20:00 -0500

Justices clear way for states to resume executions on hold for 7 months

Virginia immediately lifted its moratorium, Oklahoma said it would seek execution dates for two convicted murderers, and other states were ready to follow.

External Link to Article

Cell phone alert system proposed

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:10:00 -0500

FCC set to propose system to alert cell phone, mobile users of emergencies.

Detainee Program Strains Va. Jail

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:02:00 -0500

Pr. William Cites Delays by ICE

A highly touted partnership between the Prince William County jail and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is showing signs of strain, as crowding at the facility has hit an all-time high and federal agents are taking weeks -- not the agreed-upon 72 hours -- to pick up illegal immigrant suspects, jail officials said.

External Link to Article

32nd Law Enforcement Information Management (LEIM) Training Conference and Exhibition

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:47:00 -0500

May 6-10, 2008 • Nashville, Tennessee

Delegate Registration extended until April 11, 2008... Register Today!

Traffic Safety Toolkit: “Traffic Safety is Everyone’s Business”

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:06:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is offering a limited number of FREE Traffic Safety Toolkits that contain resources intended to help law enforcement, civic leaders, transportation officials, and lawmakers work together to address traffic safety concerns in their community.

Dash Cam Captures Cop Being Hit by Car

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:39:00 -0500

PORTLAND, Oregon, March 18, 2008 (NBC) -- Move over! That's the message Hillsboro, Oregon police hope to convey to drivers by releasing dramatic dash-camera video of an officer getting hit at high speed during a traffic stop.

The video, released Friday, first shows Hillsboro police officer Clint Chrz asking a driver questions during a traffic stop on the shoulder of Pacific Highway.

Seconds later, a careless driver rams into Chrz's police motorcycle. The motorcycle slams into the stopped car and Chrz is knocked over.

External Link to Article

Investigator Exclusive: Secret weapon poses ‘clear and present danger’

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:21:00 -0500

AKRON -- An Akron man is peddling plastic knuckles which are just as strong as brass knuckles but can't set off metal detectors in schools, government buildings and airports.

External Link to Article