Shenandoah Federal Protective Service
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| Shenandoah Federal Protective Service | |
|---|---|
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 Shenandoah Federal Protective Service badge | |
| Common name | Federal Police |
| Abbreviation | SFPS |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | July 6, 1930 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Federal agency | Shenandoah |
| Operations jurisdiction | Shenandoah |
| Constituting instrument |
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| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Saint Albans, Kanawha |
| Sworn members | 9,204 |
| Agency executives |
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| Parent agency | Department of Justice |
The Shenandoah Federal Protective Service, often referred to as simply the Federal Police, is a government law enforcement agency with federal-level jurisdiction within Shenandoah and is officially responsible to the Department of Justice. It was created in 1930 by Article 8 of the Commonwealth Charter, which authorizes the Department of Justice to "appoint officers to detect, investigate and prosecute crimes committed by any subject, citizen, or foreigner against the government." Officers can exercise legal jurisdiction anywhere within Shenandoah and its holdings. As the enforcement arm for the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth, and the nation's primary federal law enforcement agency, the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is tasked with the investigation of crimes in all 9 states comprising the Shenandoahan Commonwealth and all commissioned officers have jurisdiction over a wide variety of capital crimes.
Though the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is subordinate to the Department of Justice it also a member of the Commonwealth's intelligence apparatus, overseeing much of the nations counterintelligence and internal security activities.
The Shenandoah Federal Protective Service, unlike its foreign intelligence counterpart, the Foreign Intelligence Service, maintains its focuses on domestic intelligence and law enforcement issues. The Federal Police maintains a presence in every state, with over 30 field offices located in major cities, and satellite locations in many smaller settlements
History
Expansion
In 1945, the Shenandoahan Commonwealth Legislature ratified Amendment 7-2 which allowed for the expansion of the Federal Police, expanding their role from fugitive recovery and transport to acting as the Commonwealth's a national level law enforcement agency in conjunction with the Shenandoah State Police. In addition, the Empowerment Act of 1923 gave the Federal Police responsibility for the nations domestic intelligence gathering and counterintelligence operations, thereby establishing the first domestic intelligence organization in Shenandoah.
Organization and infrastructure
The headquarters for the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service located in Saint Albans, located in the Ross. P. Blauer Building, named for the first Director of the SFPS. The building is located adjacent to the main Department of Justice complex.
The primary training facility for the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is located at the Federal Police Officer Training Center, in Kanawha. The 23 week course conducted there is a requirement for all aspiring Federal Police officers. The training center also offers courses to various local law enforcement agencies, and serves as the training academy for Shenandoah State Police officers as well.
Administration Division
The Shenandoah Federal Protective Service's administrative division is responsible for the daily operations of the organization's various sections, and functions as the executive command of the organization. It handles all the bureaucratic aspects of administration, including public relations, payroll and finance, as well as liaison between other law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
The Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is divided into several divisions
- Uniformed Service Division
- Criminal Investigations Division
- Counter Terrorism Division
- Fugitive Recovery Division
- Cybercrime Investigation and Security Division
- Counterintelligence Division
- Asset Forfeiture Division
- Witness Protection Division
- Industrial Security Division
- Prisoner Transport Division
- Court Security Division
- Personal Protection Division
- Special Activities Division
Duties
Uniformed Service Division
The Uniformed Service Division of the Federal Police is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Uniformed Services. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
Criminal investigations
The Criminal Investigations Division of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Investigations. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
The Shenandoah Federal Protective Service has the authority to investigate any capital crime, and its jurisdiction extends to all 9 states of the Commonwealth. Crimes investigated by the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service include
- Hijacking
- Piracy
- Kidnapping
- Bank robbery
- Bribery, racketeering and extortion
- Embezzlement
- Identity theft
- Credit card fraud
- Counterfeiting
- Tax Evasion
- Human trafficking
- Violations of the 1952 National Security Act
- Violations of the 1952 Espionage Act
- Violations of Environmental Protection Acts
- Wiretapping
- Labor law and union violations
- Cybercrimes including phone and computer hacking, and child pornography
- Theft from governmental and cultural facilities, to include art theft from museums and other places of cultural significance as well as high value jewelry theft.
- Immigration offenses
- Assassination of political figures
- Mail Fraud
- Firearms violations
Investigation of organized crime
One of the primary responsibilities of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is the investigation and prosecution of organized crime rings operating within Shenandoah. These syndicates often engage in heinous crimes such as human trafficking, arms smuggling, narcotics distribution, cyber crimes including phone and computer crimes, and child pornography, as well as fraud, including identity theft, credit card fraud and counterfeiting, as well as investigating illegally established workers groups. Thought not a particular problem within the nation, the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is also responsible for detecting, combating, deterring and prosecuting organized groups intending to commit piracy and hijackings on both land and at sea.
The Federal Police attempt to combat organized crime Criminal Organization Prosecution Act (COPA) that provides for extended criminal penalties for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization and/or stand to benefit that organization in some way. Further, it allows for leaders of criminal organizations to be tried for crimes they themselves did not commit, but ordered or persuaded others to commit. COPA allows for any person who has committed any crime classified as a felony or capital crime within the law in the 10 years if such acts are related to and/r benefit a criminal enterprise to be charged with racketeering and, if convicted, allows for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison per charge.
Investigation of civil rights violations
The Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is also charged with investigating suspected violations of Commonwealth Charter by any government department. In the mid-1970's, this mandate was expanded to include violations alleging basis on the part of the government regarding a person's age, gender, religion, or race. In 1992, the mandate was further expanded to include allegations of bias as a result of sexual identity or preference.
Criminal Statistics Report
The Criminal Investigations Division of the Commonwealth Charter is responsible for compiling and publishing the annual Criminal Statistics Report, which provides detailed data regarding the volume of crimes to include, arrest, clearance, and law enforcement officer information.
The CSR was first published in 1962, and included data from over 4,000 law enforcement agencies. As of 2014, it is mandatory for all law enforcement agencies operating within the Commonwealth to furnish data for the CSR. The initial CSR publications focused its data collection on violent crimes, hate crimes, and property crimes, but criticisms of the program, namely that it was not inclusive of all crime, forced the Federal Police to reexamine the CSR material and implement changes in the 1970's. The expanded CSR includes 46 specific offenses separated into 22 categories, and includes specific information regarding these cases, to include suspect and officer information and clearance information when appropriate. All other offenses not covered are forwarded with arrest information only.
Counterterrorism
The Counterterrorism of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Counterterrorism Operations. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
Fugitive recovery
The Fugitive recover of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Fugitive Recovery Operations. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
Agents and officers assigned to the Fugitive Recovery Division execute high risk search and arrest warrants, usually in cooperation with local police agencies, as well as officers from the Shenandoah State Police. The Fugitive Recovery Division maintains several fugitive recovery task forces comprised of members of various local law enforcement agencies at the municipal and county level that are on call to assist in the execution of dangerous warrants. Additional task forces are formed on an ad-hoc basis as needed.
According to Federal Police records, over 17,000 fugitives were recovered by agents in 2014, and over 25,000 warrants were served nationwide. In addition, over 100 foreign fugitives were discovered and arrested in Shenandoah by Federal Police officers. In 2012, 293 extraditions were performed by the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service
Cyber crimes and cyber security
The Cybercrime Investigation and Security Division of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Cyber Operations. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
Agents and officers assigned to the Cybercrime Investigation and Security Division are responsible for pureeing investigations related to criminal activity committed with electronic devices and utilizing the internet. These include investigations of phone and computer hacking, the possession and distribution of child pornography. and electronic phishing activities.
In addition, the Federal Police's Cybercrime Investigation and Security Division are responsible for the cyber security of the nations computer networks, protecting them against hacking and tampering from malicious parties and espionage attempts.
Counterintelligence
The Counterintelligence Division of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Counterintelligence. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
Asset forfeiture
The Asset Forfeiture Division of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Asset Forfeiture Operations. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
Agents assigned to the Asset Forfeiture Division are asked with the recovery, seizure, protection, and sale of assets belong to criminals or criminal suspects. Proceeds from sales of criminal assets are used to compensate victims, supplement funding for law enforcement initiatives and support community programs. Assets covered under the program include
- Real estate
- Vehicles, including automobiles, watercraft, and aircraft
- Commercial businesses
- Hard currency
- Financial instruments
- Other psychical assets including jewelry, art, collectibles, and antiques.
It is unlawful for assets such as firearms and other weapons to be resold under the asset forfeiture program.
In 2014, the value of assets being managed or sold by the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service exceeded 990 million URD, and records indicate that of that, over 340 million had been donated to victims compensation and community outreach programs.
Witness protection
The Witness Protection Division of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Witness Protection Operations. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
Agents assigned to the witness protection division are charged with the active and passive security of person and families relocated under the witness protection program. Persons placed under the authority of the Witness Protection Division are perceived to be in mortal danger as a result of their testimony against criminals, including those suspected or convicted of human, arms and drug trafficking, members of organized crime syndicates, or known terrorists.
During trial or other ongoing court proceedings, witnesses may be relocated to afe houses and active protected by federal agents. Following the conclusion of a suspects trial, persons enrolled in the witness protection program receive entirely new identities with authentic documentation, including new birth certificates and Citizen Identification Numbers. In addition, housing and subsidies are provided by funds from the Federal Police. In addition, education, vocational or job training may also be supplied. Federal Police agents are required to periodically check in one persons enrolled in the witness protection program.
Since its implementation in 1985, the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service has successfully relocated over 9,000 persons. According to a 2013 statement by Director of Witness Protection Operations (DWPO) Patricia Jenkins, "No person enrolled in the Witness Protection Program, following program guidelines, has been harmed or killed while under the active protection of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service."
Participation in the Witness Protection Program is entirely voluntary, and extended to any person who testifies on behalf of the prosecution in any case, subject to review by the Department of Justice. Witnesses are permitted to leave the program at any time and may return to their original identifies. However, in doing so, they waive the right to protection by the Federal Police service.
Some criticism of the Witness Protection Program exist. In a 2014 interview, noted prosecuting attorney Christopher King stated "95% of the people in WitPro are what we call criminals. They're criminals who had the foresight or luck to turn on their accomplices at the right time, receive amnesty for their own crimes, and live on the government's dime for the rest of this miserable lives." According to a study conducted by the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service, 17% of all people relocated by the Witness Protection Program who have been previously convicted or suspected of crimes will commit another crime within 5 years of relocation.
Industrial security
The Industrial Security Division of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Industrial Security. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
The Industrial Security Division is tasked with maintaining the integrity of industrial facilities and insuring secret information pertaining to research and development is maintained. Full time Federal Police agents or uniformed officers are posted to all major industrial facilities and corporate offices of defense contractors and industrial concerns such as mining, petrochemical and logging industries to ensure production quality is maintained and confidential information does not leave the premises under unlawful circumstances. They often operate in conjunction with the considerations own security service but supersede these private security services in authority.
Prisoner transport
The Prisoner Transport Division of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Prisoner Transport. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
Agents assigned to the Prisoner Transport Division are responsible for the movement and safety of prisoners being moved for one location to another, including from jails or prisons to courtrooms, or from one holding facility to another. Prisoners transported are usually notably violent or considered to be high risk in some way.
According to the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service, over 94,000 prisoners are moved by the Prisoner Transport Division per year, utilizing a fleet or vans, buses and aircraft owned and operated by the Federal Police.
Court security
The Count Security Division of the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Court Security Operations. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
There are 14 court districts within the nation, and a Court of Appeals districts. The Shenandoah Federal Protective Service is reprehensible for ensuring the safety and security of the nations court facilities and personnel. Agents are routinely assigned to courthouses and other justice facilities to provide asset and personal protection to employees and citizens. In addition to Federal Police agents, the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service employees Court Security, who are not considered sworn agents with the Federal Police, but do qualify as Special Federal Police Officers under the Amendment 8-3. These personal represent the bulk of court security officers within the courts and are general responsible to a Supervisory Special Agent. These officers are generally former law enforcement officials who are extended special privileges to carry firearms and execute security functions within court facilities, attempting to detect and intercept weapons and other prohibited items that individuals attempt to bring into federal courthouses.
Personal protection
The Personal Protection Division of Shenandoah Federal Protective Service the is generally commanded by a Deputy Assistant Director with the official title of Director of Personal Protection Operations. This Deputy Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, and the Department of Administration.
Agents assigned to the Personal Protection Division are tasked with the protection of important individuals, primarily the nations political figures both serving and campaigning, their families and close associates if necessary, as well as also celebrities, foreign dignitaries, and other important individuals as needed. In addition, officers assigned to the Personal Protection Division may be detailed to protect foreign embassies within Shenandoah, though they are not automatically permitted to enter the embassy grounds, and to serve as security officers within embassies in foreign nations.
Specialized activities
The Shenandoah Federal Protective Service maintains a variety of high specialized units to deal with unique situations. The various commanders of these units report directly to the Assistant Director of Operations.
Strategic Response Group
The Shenandoah Federal Protective Service maintains several Strategic Response Group (SRG) which are high trained and highly disciplined tactical units. They are utilized by the Federal Police for extremely high risk search and arrest warrant execution, and, as a self-sustaining unit, are capable of responding to emergencies anywhere in the Commonwealth. Generally, members of SRG are full-time agents working in field officers across the nation who volunteer for service with the SRG and are on call 24 hours a day, however, there is a single full-time Strategic Response Group, made up of cadre instructors and agents with excellent service record, stationed at the training center in Kanawha. Primarily, they are utilized as instructors at the training center, but are ready to carry out missions when called upon. Missions commonly assigned to the SRG's include: apprehending fugitives; executing high risk search warrants; protecting dignitaries; providing court security during high-profile cases; transporting and protecting high-profile and dangerous prisoners; providing witness security for at-risk witnesses; and seizing assets from high-risk owners.
Hostage Negotiation Team
Ranks
- Agent
- Special Agent
- Senior Special Agent
- Supervisory Special Agent
- Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge
- Special Agent-in-Charge
- Deputy Assistant Director
- Assistant Director
- Deputy Director
- Director
Equipment
Weapons
Officers with the Shenandoah Federal Protective Service are issued the McLear 1120 .45 caliber pistol.
All officers with the Shenandoah State Police are trained to use the Grady Repeating Arms M-2 pump-action shotgun, and each vehicle is equipped with a single shotgun. Some officers are also trained on and equipped with the Redhawk Firearms M-3 Carbine. Officers also utilize a variety of less-lethal options, such as the Tintreach conducted electrical weapon, telescoping batons, and OC spray