2018 Highlights of Investigative Services Branch
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Investigative Services Branch National Park Service Law Enforcement, Security, and Emergency Services US Department of the Interior HIGHLIGHTS OF 2 18 the yearly magazine of the NPS Investigative Services Branch Atlantic Field Office North Central Field Office pages 12-17 pages 18-23 Southwest Field Office Pacific Field Office pages 24-29 pages 30-35 The Investigative Services Branch of the We accomplish this through detection, National Park Service provides critical investigation, apprehension, and successful investigative and other law enforcement prosecution of persons who violate laws of support to a wide range of customers. the United States of America while within, or while affecting, the National Park System. Our core mission is the immediate and long-term protection of park resources, visitors, assets, employees, and residents. - from the ISB Mission Statement Cover: a Special Agent of the NPS Investigative Services Branch. NPS photo. Inset: Special Agents in the field. NPS photos. Background: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. NPS photo by P Myers. In This Edition Message from Russell Roy, Chief of ISB 4 Tip What We Do: Investigations and More 6 Line Message from Chris Smith, Special Agent in Charge 7 888-653-0009 The Year at a Glance: Statistics 8 www.nps.gov/ISB Map of ISB Field Offices 9 Awards and Recognitions 10 @InvestigativeServicesNPS The Atlantic Field Office 12 @SpecialAgent_NPS The North Central Field Office 18 @SpecialAgentNPS Interagency Investigation Stops Wildlife Poaching 22 Highlights of the NPS Investigative Services Branch The Southwest Field Office 24 is produced in-house and meets federal IT Accessibility standards (508-compliance). All maps created The Pacific Field Office 30 by Brandon Lemire (NPS). Questions and comments ISB Internship and Detailer Programs 36 are welcome. You Can Help Protect Our National Treasures 37 NPS Investigative Services Branch 1849 C St NW, Mailstop 2555 Washington, DC 20240 Behind the Scenes / Always On 38 Business Line: 202-379-4761 Email: [email protected] Message from Russell Roy, Chief of ISB NPS Family, Partners, and Friends: We are honored and proud to serve you. The core mission of the Investigative Services Branch (ISB) is and will continue to be “the long-term protection of park resources, visitors, assets, employees and residents. We will accomplish this through detection, investigation, apprehension, and successful prosecution of persons who violate the laws of the United States of America while within, or while affecting the National Park System.” In this year’s report, I would like to provide some context of ISB’s progression since 2013 when I took over as Chief. My predecessor, Scott Hinson, endorsed me to serve as acting Chief for a year as he transitioned into retirement. Chief Russell Roy. NPS photo. Two weeks into my new assignment, the Our online sites have served as a catalyst and federal government shut down at the start of tool for the parks, regions, and public to the new 2014 fiscal year. Afterwards, federal interact with ISB. We currently have well over agencies faced a sequestration, causing a 13,000 dedicated followers on social media, significant reduction to ISB’s budget. The many of whom have provided numerous tips branch was forced to conduct an urgent and leads in support of our investigations. analysis of its workload and workforce. As Chief, much of my time as been spent on This analysis resulted in the transfer three ISB workforce management, developing team- agents to the Office of Professional building strategies, and setting program goals. Responsibility (OPR), and the restructuring of A team building strategy that I am most proud ISB’s leadership model. Though we lost some of is the development of our Battle Buddy positions, we gained financial sustainability Initiative. This idea was adopted from my time for the program. spent in the military. ISB Special Agents are stationed across the country and may see some That year, we surveyed the investigative needs of the other agents only once per year. The of parks, regions, and our external law Battle Buddy Initiative further promotes an ISB enforcement partners. Their valuable insight Team atmosphere, pairing agents from different helped shape our answer to the question, field offices and removing geographical lines. “Who are we and what is our mission?” Over the past 6 years, some talented members We got to work on creating materials and of our staff have retired or moved on to other portals to better identify who we are, what we positions. To them I extend my thanks and do, and how to contact us. recognition for their service. Continued on the next page. 4 | 2018 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES BRANCH Message from Chief Roy, continued Among the goals set over the years, those of I am thoroughly proud of the dedication to 2017 particularly exemplified our overarching service by my staff. They are all intelligent, strategic plans for the program. I adopted the clever, and most of all, a fun group of people six pillars of policing in President Obama’s Task to work with. They are champions in my eyes! Force on 21st Century Policing: I have decided to retire at the end of March 2019. My career and journey with the National Pillars of Policing Park Service has been incredible, exciting, and 1. Building Trust and Legitimacy rewarding. My team has made me look like a 2. Policy and Oversight genius, and for that I am thankful. I will miss you all dearly. Though I am sad that I will not 3. Technology and Social media have the opportunity to get to know and 4. Community Policing & Crime Reduction work with our newest agents, they are in good hands and are now members of an 5. Training & Education amazing family. 6. Officer Wellness & Safety To those who have coached and mentored me or just provided some guidance along the To further meet the investigative needs of the way…I say “thank you and God bless you.” Service, we examined the various talents of I am a better agent, person, husband, and the agents and developed specialized teams. father because of it! After effectively managing our allocated budget since the sequestration and Stay focused my friends! Mentor somebody reprioritizing our services, we have been able who doesn’t look like you … and have a purpose! to fill several Special Agent vacancies over the past three years, thus creating a workforce of 20% new hires. Background: sunrise in Friendship Hill National Historic Site. NPS photo by A Arnold. Inset: a bald eagle in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. NPS photo. Our mission, vision, and values are clear: MISSION: The immediate and long-term protection of park resources, visitors, assets, employees, and residents. VISION: Provide the highest-quality investigative and law enforcement support to parks, regions, and other stakeholders. VALUES: Honesty. Integrity. Respect. Service. 2018 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES BRANCH | 5 What We Do: Investigations and More NPS photo. ISB Special Agents carry out a wide range of investigative and law enforcement activities for parks and regional offices across the National Park System. As our Special Agents investigate complex, sensitive, and/or long-term cases of all types of crimes, we work closely with US Park Rangers in the field every day. Investigations include crimes of violence, major property crimes, fraud, embezzlement, major resource violations, drug cultivation, and other incidents. We are available year-round and around the clock, and we typically cover the costs associated with deployment of assets. ISB: the Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Service www.nps.gov/ISB Services we provide include: • Case Preparation Guidance and Support • Computer Forensics Support and Investigation • Covert and Undercover Operations • Crime Scene Management and Processing • Criminal Investigations • Intelligence Analysis and Support • Interviews and Interrogations • Investigative Skills Instruction • Officer Involved Shooting Response Team • Operations Planning and Support • Outside Agency Liaison • Sources of Information Management • Technical Surveillance Support and Equipment • Tip Line use - Any Park, Any Time • Training and Mentoring • Warrant Planning, Support, and Execution • Wildland and Structure Fire Investigation 6 | 2018 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES BRANCH Message from Christopher Smith, Special Agent in Charge The women and men who make up the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) are dedicated and passionate to accomplish a mission they truly believe in. They work day and night, answering calls for assistance from all across the service, working with our partners to ensure those who violate the law while in or affecting the National Park System are held accountable. Our branch is successful because of the people who comprise it. Though our program is small, our team is highly skilled and committed to what we do. Every supervisor, special agent, intelligence analyst, and administrative employee works hard to accomplish our mission together. 2018 increased the public’s awareness of ISB to SAC Christopher Smith. NPS photo. unprecedented levels. Outside Magazine published an article titled “The FBI of the National Park Service” showcasing the work ISB Special Agents do everyday. More info and a link to the article is on page 38. Our following on various social media platforms was again robust in 2018, with posts reaching 1.3 million viewers over the year. This is a significant accomplishment from a work unit of less than 35 people. The attention triggered a number of ongoing projects and helped demonstrate the quality of work done by a group of people who do not look for fame or accolades, but rather take pride in their service when justice was done for a victim and the offender was held accountable. In 2018 the program hired three new special agents and two supervisors from a group of incredibly qualified applicants.