Eleven years ago I walked into a training seminar being held in Cromwell, Connecticut by NE-IAATI, looking for training on best practices for patrol strategies and investigations of auto theft and related crimes. I work for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and was assigned to a new funding initiative that was to target these crimes. With seven years of experience as police officer in Westchester County, New York and eleven years as a police trainer, I needed to expand my knowledge. Little did I know the great benefits that would occur from attending that first seminar! The experts instructing at the seminar and the networking with members of NE-IAATI provided me with a strong foundation for the development of an extremely successful program in New York State which contributed to a 70% decline in auto theft.
By becoming a member of NE-IAATI, an investigator gains access to expert training on problems currently faced in the field with time tested solutions, insight into the workings of a major case crime from the perspectives of both investigators and prosecutors, and the latest in effective technology. Not only is the law enforcement perspective presented but also that of fraud investigators for insurance carriers. The cooperation among the government and private sector in investigations greatly enhances the ability of an investigation to come to a successful conclusion.
The networking that begins at an NE-IAATI conference continues through the Members Only section of the website which provides a wider pool of expertise through a link to the parent organization of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. Some investigator, someplace, has probably experienced the same roadblocks and can provide guidance from lessons learned.
In the spirit of coordinating resources, the 38th Annual Training Seminar will be hosted by the North East Chapter of IAATI, the North Central Chapter of IAATI and the Ohio Association of Auto Theft Investigators at the Cleveland/Beechwood Hilton in Ohio, May 10 – 13, 2010. The Seminar Committee is drawing on a vast pool of experts resulting in an informative and invaluable training experience.
Be safe in all your endeavors and I look forward to seeing you at the Ohio seminar.
