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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2016-R0132 - MOU With FBI - 04/14/2016Resolution No.2016-RO132 Item No.5.17 April 14.2016 RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK: THAT the Chief of Police of the City of Lubbock is hereby authorized and directed to execute for and on behalf of the City of Lubbock and the Lubbock Police Department,a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF). Said Memorandum of Understanding is attached hereto and incorporated in this resolution as if fully set forth herein and shall be included in the minutes of the City Council. Passed by the City Council on April 14 ,2016. ATTEST: c£&xjexr*. Rebecca Garza,City Secretary j APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: Greg^Sfevens.Qmef of Police APPROVED AS TOFORM: CKTF.20i6.doc Resolution No. 2016-RO132 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CHILD EXPLOITATION TASK FORCE (CETF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) PARTIES 1. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into by the following "Participating Agencies': a. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) C. AUTHORITIES . :Ts .�. ,.t rt•�•s 12 2. Authority for the FBI to enter into this agreement can be found at Title 28, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section (§) 533; 42 U.S.C. § 3771; Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), § 0.85; and applicable United States Attorney General's Guidelines. PURPOSE 3. The purpose of this MOU is to delineate the responsibilities of The City of I tihhnrk PnIIrP nPpartment Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF) participants, maximize inter -agency cooperation, and formalize relationships between the participating agencies for policy guidance, planning, training, public and media relations This MOU is not intended, and should not be construed, to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or otherwise by any third party against the parties, the United States, or the officers, employees, agents, or other associated personnel thereof. The MOU also outlines the mission and procedures for the CETF, which are described in greater detail in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) utilized by the CETF. MISSION 4. The mission of the CETF is to provide a rapid, proactive, and intelligence -driven investigative response to the sexual victimization of children and other crimes against children within the FBI's jurisdiction; to identify and rescue child victims; to reduce the vulnerability of children to sexual exploitation and abuse; to reduce the negative impact of domestic and international parental rights disputes; and to strengthen the capabilities of the FBI and federal, state, local, and international law enforcement through training, intelligence -sharing, technical support, and investigative assistance. SUPERVISION AND CONTROL 5. Overall management of the CETF shall be the responsibility of the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Lubbock. TX Division of the FBI and/or their designee. 6. The SAC shall designate one Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) to supervise day-to-day operational and investigative matters pertaining to the CETF. 7. For the purposes of this MOU, a CETF member is considered full-time when that member is primarily assigned duties aligned with the defined priority threats that are dedicated to the mission of the CETF on a full-time basis. On a case -by -case basis, SSAs may authorize CETF members to temporarily support other priority FBI matters as necessary. Official Laiv Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Memorandum Of Understanding (211112) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions (J'ihc F81 This document is the propeq)' of the 1,711 and is loaned to ,our agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed onside your agency. Pagc 1 oft 8. Responsibility for conduct, not under the direction of the SAC or SSA, of each CETF member, both personally and professionally, shall remain with the respective agency head and each agency shall be responsible for the actions of its respective employees. 9. Each CETF member will be subject to the laws, regulations, policies, and personnel rules applicable to those of his or her respective agency. 10. FBI participants will continue to adhere to the Bureau's ethical standards, including Department of Justice (DOJ)/FBI regulations relating to outside employment and prepublication review matters, and will remain subject to the Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for employees of the DOJ. 11. Each CETF member will continue to report to his or her respective agency head for non - investigative administrative matters not detailed in this MOU or SOP. 12. Continued assignment to the CETF will be based on performance and at the discretion of each CETF member's respective supervisor. The FBI SAC/SSA will also retain discretion to remove any member from the CETF. 13. The defined priority threats that are aligned with the mission of the CETFs are: a. Child Abductions • Non -ransom child abductions • Domestic parental kidnapping b. Sexual Exploitation of Children Enterprises • Domestic Child Prostitution • Online Networks and Enterprises c. Contact Offenses Against Children • Domestic travel with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity with a minor • Child Sex Tourism — travel abroad to engage in commercial sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 18 • Production of Child Pornography • Coercion/enticement of a minor d. Trafficking of Child Pornography • Mass Distribution of Child Pornography • Possession of Child Pornography e. International Parental Kidnapping • International Parental Kidnapping f. Other Crimes Against Children • All other crimes against children violations within the FBI's jurisdiction should be investigated in accordance with available resources OfBctal Law Enrorcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Memorandum Of Understanding (2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conchccions o%the Flit. This document is the propeaY ofihe Flit and is loaned to roar agency; it and its contents are not to he distrihared antside Your agency. Puce 2 of 4 RESOURCE CONTROL 14. The head of each Participating Agency shall retain control of resources dedicated by that agency to the CETF, including personnel, as well as the continued dedication of those resources. The Participating Agency head or designee shall be kept fully apprised of all investigative developments by his or her subordinates. REPORTS AND RECORDS 15. All investigative reporting will be prepared in compliance with existing FBI policy. Subject to pertinent legal and/or policy restrictions, copies of pertinent documents created by each member of the CETF will be made available for inclusion in the respective investigative agencies' files as appropriate. SALARY/OVERTIME COMPENSATION 16. The FBI and Participating Agency agree to assume all personnel costs for their CETF representatives, including salaries, overtime payments and fringe benefits consistent with their respective agency. 17. Subject to funding availability and legislative authorization, the FBI may reimburse to Participating Agency the cost of overtime worked by non-federal CETF members assigned full-time to CETF, provided overtime expenses were incurred as a result of CETF-related duties. A separate Cost Reimbursement Agreement (CRA) must be executed between the FBI and Participating Agency for full-time employee(s) assigned to CETF, consistent with regulations and policy. Otherwise, overtime shall be compensated in accordance with applicable Participating Agency overtime provisions and shall be subject to the prior approval of appropriate personnel. LIABILITY 18. The Participating Agencies acknowledge that this MOU does not alter the applicable law governing civil liability, if any, arising from the conduct of personnel assigned to the CETF. 19. The Participating Agency shall immediately notify the FBI of any civil, administrative, or criminal claim, complaint, discovery request, or other request for information of which the agency receives notice, concerning or arising from the conduct of personnel assigned to the CETF or otherwise relating to the CETF. 20. In the event that a civil claim or complaint is brought against a state or local officer assigned to the CETF, the officer may request legal representation and/or defense by DOJ, under the circumstances and pursuant to the statutes and regulations identified below. DURATION 21. The term of this MOU is for the duration of the CETF's operations, contingent upon approval of necessary funding, but may be terminated at any time upon written mutual consent of the agency involved. 22. Any Participating Agency may withdraw from the CETF at any time by written notification to the SSA with designated oversight for investigative and personnel matters or program manager of the CETF Program (FBI HO) at least 30 days prior to withdrawal. 23. Upon termination of this MOU, all equipment provided to the CETF will be returned to the supplying agency/agencies. In addition, when an entity withdraws from the MOU, the entity will return equipment to the supplying agency/agencies. Similarly, remaining agencies will return to a Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Memorandum Of Understanding (2012) phis dncunrenl c•nntuins neither recwnatendal/ors nnr c•wrelnsians of the !�B/. 'Phis dncuurem is the properh• n/'rhe P'Bl and is loaned to roar agent•; it and its contents are not to be distributed oulside pour agencY Page 3 of 4 withdrawing agency any unexpended equipment supplied by the withdrawing agency during any CETF participation. MODIFICATIONS 24. Modifications/amendments to this MOU and corresponding SOP shall be brought in writing to the attention of each Participating Agency. 25. Participating Agencies and their assignees are bound by the terms of the MOU and SOP, as modified from time to time, although a Participating Agency may terminate its participation with the CETF pursuant to the terms related to the SOP. 26. Participating Agency will not be bound by any amended terms of the MOU or SOP during notice period (currently 30 days) required by the MOU prior to terminating participation. SIGNATORIES (to be signed by Individual field office SAC) Print Name: Title: SAC Organization: FBI Date: Print Name: Title: prograrf8a1�nager OrganizID Date: Official Low Enrorcement Use Only PriwrNamreg Stevens Title: Chief of Police Organization:City of Lubbock, on behalf of its Police Department Date: ATTEST: Reb ca Garza 6ity Secretary Approved as to Content: Gr�eyens, CI . f of Police Child Exploitation Task Force Memorandum Or Understanding (2012) Ibis document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBL This docionenl is the properlr of the FR/ and is loured to pour ogenc r: it and its contents ore not to be distributed outside pour agenc r Pnge 4 of 4 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CHILD EXPLOITATION TASK FORCE (CETF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures (2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. This document is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not lobe distributed outside your agency. Page 1 of 10 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. MISSION........................................................................................... Page 3 II. CASE ASSIGNMENTS......................................................................... Page 3 III. INVESTIGATIVE EXCLUSIVITY.......................................................... Page 3 IV. INFORMANTS...................................................................................... Page 3 V. REPORTS AND RECORDS................................................................. Page 4 VI. FORENSIC EXAMINATION PROCEDURES ....................................... Page 4 VII. INFORMATION SHARING................................................................... Page 6 VIII. PROSECUTIONS................................................................................. Page 6 IX. INVESTIGATIVE METHODS/EVIDENCE ............................................ Page 7 X. UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS........................................................... Page 7 XI. USE OF FORCE................................................................................... Page 7 XII. DEPUTATION...................................................................................... Page 7 XIII. VEHICLES............................................................................................ Page 7 XIV. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT........................................................... Page 8 XV. FUNDING............................................................................................. Page 8 XVI. FORFEITURES..................................................................................... Page 8 XVII. DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS................................................................... Page 8 XVIII. MEDIA RELEASES.............................................................................. Page 9 XIX. SECURITY CLEARANCES.................................................................. Page 9 XX. LIABILITY............................................................................................. Page 9 XXI. LEGAL CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY................................ Page 10 Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures (2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions ofthe FBI. This document is the propertv of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. Page 2 of 10 1. MISSION The mission of the Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF) is to provide a rapid, proactive, and intelligence -driven investigative response to the sexual victimization of children and other crimes against children within the FBI's jurisdiction; to identify and rescue child victims; to reduce the vulnerability of children to sexual exploitation and abuse; to reduce the negative impact of domestic and international parental rights disputes; and to strengthen the capabilities of the FBI and federal, state, local, and international law enforcement through training, intelligence -sharing, technical support, and investigative assistance. H. CASE ASSIGNMENTS A. The FBI SSA with designated oversight for operational and investigative matters will be responsible for opening, monitoring, directing, and closing CETF investigations in accordance with existing FBI policy and the applicable United States Attorney General's Guidelines. B. Assignments of cases to CETF personnel will be based on, but not limited to, experience, training and performance, in addition to the discretion of the SSA with designated oversight for operational and investigative matters. C. For FBI administrative purposes, CETF cases will be entered into the relevant FBI computer system. D. CETF members will have equal responsibility for each case assigned. CETF personnel will be totally responsible for the complete investigation from predication to resolution. III. INVESTIGATIVE EXCLUSIVITY A. It is agreed that matters designated to be handled by the CETF will not knowingly be subjected to non-CETF law enforcement efforts by any of the Participating Agencies. It is incumbent on each participating agency to make proper internal notification regarding the CETF's existence and areas of concern. B. It is agreed that there will be no unilateral action taken on the part of the FBI or Participating Agencies relating to CETF investigations or areas of concern. All law enforcement actions will be coordinated and cooperatively carried out. C. CETF investigative leads outside of the geographic areas of responsibility for the CETF will be communicated and disseminated to other FBI offices for appropriate investigation. IV. INFORMANTS A. The disclosure of FBI informants to non-CETF members will be limited to those situations where it is essential to the effective and optimal performance of the CETF. These disclosures must be consistent with applicable FBI guidelines. B. Non -FBI CETF members may not make any further disclosure of the identity of an FBI informant, including to other members of the CETF. Documents which identify, tend to identify, or may indirectly identify an FBI informant will not be released without prior FBI approval. C. In those instances where a Participating Agency provides an informant, the FBI may, at the discretion of the SAC, become solely responsible for the informant's continued development, operation, and compliance with necessary administrative procedures regarding operation and payment as set forth by the FBI. Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures(2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI.. This document is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. Page 3 of 10 D. The United States Attorney General's Guidelines, and FBI policy and procedure for operating FBI informants and confidential human sources (CHS) must be strictly adhered to when opening and operating all FBI informants and CHSs in furtherance of CETF investigations. Documentation of, and any payments made to, FBI informants and CHSs must be in accordance with FBI policy and procedure. E. Operation, documentation, and payment of solely state, county, or local informants and CHSs opened and operated by non -FBI CETF members in furtherance of CETF investigations must be in accordance with the United States Attorney General's Guidelines. Documentation of state, county, or local informants and CHSs opened and operated in furtherance of CETF investigations will be maintained at an agreed location. V. REPORTS AND RECORDS A. All investigative reporting will be prepared and documented in compliance with existing FBI policy, and all CETF reports will be maintained at an approved FBI location. B. All CETF reports prepared in cases assigned to state, county, or local participants will be maintained at an FBI approved location; whereby all original documents will be maintained by the FBI. C. All records and reports generated in CETF cases that are opened and assigned by the FBI SSA with designated oversight for investigative and personnel matters will be maintained in the FBI investigative file for CETF. D. All CETF investigative records maintained at the local Field Office of the FBI will be available to all CETF members, as well as their supervisory and command staff subject to pertinent legal, administrative, and/or policy restrictions. E. All evidence and original tape recordings (audio and video) acquired by the FBI during the course of the CETF investigations will be maintained by the FBI. CETF personnel will strictly adhere to the FBI's rules and policies governing the submission, retrieval, and chain of custody. F. Subject to pertinent legal and/or policy restrictions and with SSA approval, copies of pertinent investigative documents and reports created by each member of the CETF will be made available for inclusion in the member's agency files. G. Any classified information and/or documents containing information that identifies or tends to identify an FBI informant must not be placed in the files of Participating Agencies unless appropriate FBI policy has been satisfied. VI. FORENSIC EXAMINATION PROCEDURES A. Forensic Examinations are Restricted to CETF Evidence. The mission of the CETF is investigative and not forensic. Any forensic acquisition and examination of evidence must be authorized by the SSA, and shall only be conducted on evidence from an investigation initiated or adopted by the CETF. B. Procedures for Handling Digital Evidence Generated by CETF-Initiated Investigations. Digital evidence accepted, seized, acquired or intercepted by the CETF pursuant to a criminal investigation initiated or adopted as a CETF investigation, shall be forensically examined only when expressly authorized by the SSA, and only as follows: 1. By any assignee to the CETF who: Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures (2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI.. This document is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. Page 4 of 10 a. Is affiliated with, certified, monitored or supervised by an established and recognized crime "laboratory" of his or her respective Participating Agency; and b. Conducts such examination in conformity with the written protocols, policies, and procedures of such laboratory. 2. By any non-CETF personnel belonging to the criminal laboratory of a Participating Agency who: a. Is affiliated with, certified, monitored or supervised by an established and recognized crime "laboratory" of a Participating Agency; and b. Conducts such examination inconformity with the written protocols, policies, and procedures of -- and onsite at -- the Participating Agency's laboratory. 3. By FBI Personnel who: a. Are FBI Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) trained and certified (or otherwise are trained and certified in a manner expressly accepted by CART); and b. Conducts such examination in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols and Quality Assurance Manual requirements of FBI CART; or c. Are FBI Forensic AudioNideo Image Analysis Unit (FAVIAU) trained and certified; and d. Conducts such examinations in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols and Quality Assurance Manual requirements of FBI FAVIAU; or e. Are FBI Digital Extraction Technicians (DExT) trained and certified; and f. Conducts such examinations in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols requirements of the DExT Program. 4. Any FBI CART trained and certified personnel (or personnel otherwise trained and certified in a manner expressly accepted by CART) who: a. Is assigned to an FBI -Affiliated Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory (RCFL); and b. Conducts such examinations in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols and Quality Assurance Manual requirements of that RCFL. C. Definition of the term "Laboratory". For purposes of inclusion but not exclusion under this section, a "laboratory" shall be considered established and recognized if it has become accredited in digital evidence examinations by a recognized accrediting body. D. Digital Evidence Generated by FBI -Initiated Investigations. Digital evidence accepted, seized, acquired or intercepted by FBI personnel which, at the time of its acceptance, seizure, acquisition or interception related to a non-CETF designated, FBI -initiated investigation shall be forensically examined by FBI personnel who: Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures(2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions ofthe FBI. This document is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to he distrihuted outside your agency. Page 5 of 10 1. Are FBI Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) trained and certified, and will conduct such examination in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols and Quality Assurance Manual requirements of FBI CART, or 2. Are FBI Forensic AudiolVideo Image Analysis Unit (FAVIAU) trained and certified and will conduct such examination in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols and Quality Assurance Manual requirements of FBI FAVIAU, or 3. Are FBI Digital Extraction Technicians (DExT) trained and certified and will conduct such examinations in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols requirements of the DExT Program; or, 4. Are otherwise expressly authorized in advance by an appropriate FBI Supervisor of the FBI Operational Technology Division- E. Protocols. All digital evidence examinations on either CETF or FBI -initiated or adopted investigations which are conducted by FBI personnel shall be: 1. Conducted by FBI CART trained and certified personnel in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols and Quality Assurance Manual requirements of FBI CART, unless otherwise expressly authorized in writing by FBI -HQ CART, or 2. Conducted by FBI Digital Extraction Technicians (DExT) trained and certified personnel in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols requirements of the DExT Program; or, 3. In the case of digital audio/ video / image forensic analysis by FBI FAVIAU trained and certified personnel who will conduct such examinations in conformity with the written Standard Operating Protocols and Quality Assurance Manual requirements of FBI FAVIAU. F. Evidence Storage. The SSA may designate a volunteering Participating Agency to exercise control over some or all of the evidence gathered by and in the course of CETF investigations and, thereafter, the rules and policies of that Participating Agency relating to the submission of evidence, retrieval, destruction and chain of custody shall apply. In the absence of a designation, the FBI shall exercise control over all such evidence and its rules and policies shall apply. VII. INFORMATION SHARING No information possessed by the FBI, to include information derived from informal communications by the CETF member with personnel of the FBI, may be disseminated by the CETF member to non-CETF personnel without the permission of the CETF member's designated FBI CETF Supervisor and in accordance with the applicable laws and internal regulations, procedures or agreements between the FBI and the Participating Agencies that would permit the Participating Agencies to receive that information directly. Likewise, the CETF member will not provide any Participating Agency information to the FBI that is not otherwise available to it unless authorized by appropriate Participating Agency officials. VIII. PROSECUTIONS A. CETF investigative procedures, whenever practicable, are to conform to the requirements which would allow for either federal or state prosecution. Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures(2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions ofthe FBI. This document is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. Page 6 of 10 B. A determination will be made on a case -by -case basis whether the prosecution of CETF cases will be at the state or federal level. This determination will be based on the evidence obtained and a consideration of which level of prosecution would be of the greatest benefit to the overall objectives of the CETF. C. In the event that a state or local matter is developed that is outside the jurisdiction of the FBI or it is decided to prosecute a CETF case at the state or local level, the FBI agrees to provide all relevant information to state and local authorities. IX. INVESTIGATIVE METHODS/EVIDENCE A. For cases assigned to an FBI Special Agent or in which FBI informants or CHSs are utilized, all parties agree to conform to federal standards concerning evidence collection, processing, storage, and electronic surveillance. However, in situations where the investigation will be prosecuted in the State Court where statutory or common law of the state is more restrictive than the comparable federal law, the investigative methods employed by FBI case agents shall conform to the requirements of such statutory or common law pending a decision as to venue for prosecution. B. In all cases assigned to state, county, or local law enforcement participants, all parties agree to utilize federal standards pertaining to evidence handling and electronic surveillance activities to the greatest extent possible. However, in situations where the statutory or common law of the state is more restrictive than the comparable federal law, the investigative methods employed by state and local law enforcement agencies shall conform to the requirements of such statutory or common law pending a decision as to venue for prosecution. C. The use of other investigative methods (search warrants, interceptions of oral communications, etc.) and reporting procedures in connection therewith will be consistent with the policies and procedures of the FBI. X. UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS All CETF undercover operations will be conducted and reviewed in accordance with FBI guidelines and the Attorney General's Guidelines on Federal Bureau of Investigation Undercover Operations. All Participating Agencies may be requested to enter into an additional agreement if a member of the Participating Agency is assigned duties which require the officer to act in an undercover capacity. XI. USE OF FORCE A. Members of the CETF will follow their own agency's policy concerning firearms discharge and use of deadly force. B. Pursuant to Department of Justice Policy, all state/local officers participating in joint task force operations must be made aware of and adhere to the Department of Justice Policy Statement on the Use of Less -Than -Lethal -Devices. XII. DEPUTATION A. Local and state law enforcement personnel designated to the CETF, subject to a limited background inquiry, may be sworn as federally deputized Special Deputy United States Marshals, with the FBI securing the required deputation authorization. These deputations shall remain in effect throughout the tenure of each investigator's assignment to the CETF or until the termination of the CETF, whichever comes first. Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures (2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions ofthe FBI This document is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. Page 7 of 10 B. Administrative and personnel policies imposed by the Participating Agencies will not be voided by deputation of their respective personnel. XIII. VEHICLES A. In furtherance of the CETF MOU and SOP, employees of the Participating Agency may be permitted to drive FBI owned or leased vehicles for official CETF business and only in accordance with applicable FBI rules and regulations, including those outlined in the Government Vehicle Use Policy, 0430D. The assignment of an FBI owned or leased vehicle to a CETF member will require the execution of a separate Vehicle Use Agreement. B. All Participating Agencies agree that FBI vehicles will not be used to transport passengers unrelated to CETF business. C. The FBI and the United States will not be responsible for any tortuous act or omission on the part of a Participating Agency and/or its employees nor for any liability resulting from the use of an FBI owned or leased vehicle utilized by a CETF member, except where liability may fall under the provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), as discussed in the Liability Section herein below. D. The FBI and the United States shall not be responsible for any civil liability arising from the use of an FBI owned or leased vehicle by a CETF member while engaged in any conduct other than his or her official duties and assignments under the CETF MOU and SOP. E. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Participating Agency agrees to hold harmless the FBI and the United States, for any claim for property damage or personal injury arising from any use of an FBI owned or leased vehicle by a CETF member which is outside the scope of his or her official duties and assignments under the CETF MOU and SOP. XIV. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property utilized by the CETF in connection with authorized investigations and/or operations, and is in the custody and control that is used at the direction of the CETF, will be maintained in accordance with the policies and procedures of the agency supplying the equipment. Property damaged or destroyed which was utilized by CETF in connection with authorized investigations and/or operations and is in the custody and control and used at the direction of CETF, will be the financial responsibility of the agency supplying said property. XV. FUNDING The CETF MOU and SOP are not an obligation or commitment of funds, nor a basis for transfer of funds, but rather is a basic statement of the understanding between the parties hereto of the tasks and methods for performing the tasks described herein. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, each party shall bear its own costs in relation to the CETF MOU and SOP. Expenditures by each party will be subject to its budgetary processes and to the availability of funds and resources pursuant to applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The parties expressly acknowledge that the above language in no way implies that Congress will appropriate funds for such expenditures. XVI. FORFEITURES A. The FBI shall be responsible for processing assets seized for federal forfeiture in conjunction with CETF operations. Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures(2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. This document is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. Page 8 of 10 B. Asset forfeitures will be conducted in accordance with federal law, and the rules and regulations set forth by the FBI and DOJ. Forfeitures attributable to CETF investigations may be equitably shared with the agencies participating in the CETF. XVII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION A. In cases of overlapping jurisdiction, the Participating Agencies agree to work in concert to achieve the CETF's objectives. B. The Participating Agencies agree to attempt to resolve any disputes regarding jurisdiction, case assignments, workload, etc., at the field level first before referring the matter to supervisory personnel for resolution. XVIII. MEDIA RELEASES A. All media releases and statements will be mutually agreed upon and jointly handled according to FBI and Participating Agency guidelines. B. Press releases will conform to DOJ Guidelines. No press release will be issued without FBI final approval. XIX. SECURITY CLEARANCES A. Thirty days prior to being assigned to the CETF, each candidate will be required to furnish pages 1, 2, 3, 9 (certification only), and 10 of the Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (SF- 86). Sometime thereafter, a representative from the FBI will conduct an interview of each candidate. B. If, for any reason, a candidate is not selected, the Participating Agency will be so advised and a request will be made for another candidate. C. Upon being selected, each candidate will receive a comprehensive briefing on FBI field office security policies and procedures. During the briefing, each candidate will execute non- disclosure agreements (SF-312 and FD-868), as may be necessary or required by the FBI. D. When FBI space becomes available, before receiving access, CETF members will be required to undergo a full background investigation and receive and maintain a "Top Secret' security clearance. In addition, CETF members will also be required to fully complete the SF- 86 and the required fingerprint cards. In the interim, CETF members will not be allowed unescorted access to FBI space. E. Upon departure from the CETF, each candidate will be given a security debriefing and reminded of the provisions contained in the non -disclosure agreement previously agreed to by the CETF member. XX. LIABILITY A. The Participating Agencies acknowledge that the CETF MOU and SOP do not alter the applicable law governing civil liability, if any, arising from the conduct of personnel assigned to the CETF. B. The Participating Agency shall immediately notify the FBI of any civil, administrative, or criminal claim, complaint, discovery request, or other request for information of which the agency receives notice, concerning or arising from the conduct of personnel assigned to the CETF or otherwise relating to the CETF. Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures(2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI This document is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. Page 9 of 10 C. In the event that a civil claim or complaint is brought against a state or local officer assigned to the CETF, the officer may request legal representation and/or defense by DOJ, under the circumstances and pursuant to the statutes and regulations identified below. D. For the limited purpose of defending against a civil claim arising from alleged negligent or wrongful conduct under common law under the FTCA, 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b), and §§ 2671- 2680: A CETF member who has been specially deputized and who is named as a defendant in a civil action as a result of or in connection with the performance of his or her official duties and assignments pursuant to the CETF MOU and SOP may request to be certified by the Attorney General or his designee as having acted within the scope of federal employment at the time of the incident giving rise to the suit. 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d) (2). Upon such certification, the officer will be considered an "employee" of the United States government for the limited purpose of defending the civil claim under the FTCA, and the claim will proceed against the United States as sole defendant. 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d) (2). Once an individual is certified as an employee of the United States for purposes of the FTCA, the United States is substituted for the employee as the sole defendant with respect to any tort claims. Decisions regarding certification of employment under the FTCA are made on a case -by -case basis, and the FBI cannot guarantee such certification to any CETF member. E. For the limited purpose of defending against a civil claim arising from an alleged violation of the U.S. Constitution pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 or Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971): A CETF member who has been specially deputized and who is named as a defendant in a civil action as a result of or in connection with the performance of his or her official duties and assignments pursuant to the CETF MOU and SOP may request individual -capacity representation by DOJ to defend against the claims. 28 C.F.R. §§ 50.15, 50.16. Any such request for individual -capacity representation must be made in the form of a letter from the individual defendant to the U.S. Attorney General. The letter should be provided to the local FBI Chief Division Counsel (CDC), who will then coordinate the request with the FBI Office of the General Counsel. In the event of an adverse judgment against the individual officer, he or she may request indemnification from DOJ. 28 C.F.R. § 50.15(c) (4). Requests for DOJ representation and indemnification are determined by DOJ on a case -by -case basis. The FBI cannot guarantee the United States will provide legal representation or indemnification to any federal, state or local law enforcement officer. F. Liability for any conduct by a CETF member undertaken outside of the scope of his or her assigned duties and responsibilities under the CETF MOU and SOP shall not be the responsibility of the FBI or the United States and shall be the sole responsibility of the respective employee and/or agency involved. XXII. LEGAL CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY A. If any portion of this SOP or related MOU is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, this SOP shall be construed as if such portion had never existed, unless such construction would constitute a substantial deviation from the intent of the Participating Agencies as reflected in this SOP or related MOU. B. If any portion of this SOP or related MOU is found to be in conflict, the MOU shall be deemed to control. xxxx end Official Law Enforcement Use Only Child Exploitation Task Force Standard Operating Procedures(2012) This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions ofthe FBL This document is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. Page 10 of 10