Resources
NEMLEC agencies may also utilize and participate in other services that, though not formalized units, provide other support to members. The utilization protocols differ with each resource, and they are called upon to varying degrees. Examples of resources not included are canines and language skilled officers – every agency has special and unique skills and equipment that may be utilized by other agencies.
NEMLEC Detectives
NEMLEC has brought investigators from every member agency together to meet regularly, sharing intelligence, crime patterns, and other pertinent information that facilitates the investigation of crime and apprehension of suspects. Over 100 officials from local NEMLEC and non-NEMLEC agencies as well as representatives from state and Federal agencies including the ATF, DEA, and FBI also participate.
The detectives group has specialized areas of investigation including juvenile issues, gangs, and narcotics. In a day where most criminals operate across jurisdiction boundaries, it is crucial that law enforcement agencies communicate regularly and share information. Detectives often work cases together from multiple jurisdictions when there is a likely connection to local investigations, when offenders are suspected of committing multiple crimes in more than one city/town, and when crime patterns have been identified.
NEMLEC Crime Scene Services
NEMLEC’s owns and maintains two crime scene services vehicles, staffed by police officers with expertise in crime scene analysis. They are called upon to provide assistance processing complex crime scenes, completing fingerprint analysis and providing training to member agency detectives and officers in crime scene processing.
Dive Team
The Salem Police Dive Team originated in 1984 with six officers as the only police dive team north of Boston. Due to the increasing number of water related incidents, and the growing security needs of Salem Harbor, the dive team gradually expanded to its present eighteen police officers, including the Salem Harbormaster. Our divers and Harbormaster are sworn full-time police officers who hold multiple dive certifications ranging in areas to include, Rapid Deployment, Rescue Diving, Search and Recovery, Blackwater Diving, Ice Diving, and Underwater Criminal Investigation. All divers are required to pass a specific dive physical examination administered by a City Physician, and an annual Aquatic Abilities Test. Our Team trains monthly, regardless of weather conditions and is called out approximately 20 times each year for a search, recovery or rescue operation.
Over the years the Salem Police Dive Team has worked with numerous Federal, State and local agencies to ensure the diverse ranges of safety and security demands are met. These agencies include the Massachusetts State Police, Army Special Forces, Navy UDT, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs Department who regularly request our assistance in searching Transport Cargo Tankers, here and out of state, for parasitic containers, I.E.D.s, illicit narcotics and illegal aliens. Besides the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team, the Salem Police Dive team is the only dive team in Massachusetts contracted by U.S. Customs to conduct hull searches. The Salem Police Dive Team is also very proud to be part of the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), providing regional mutual aid to over 40 communities in northeastern Massachusetts.
Internal Affairs
This team is composed of police professionals that are available to assist NEMLEC communities with compliance with standards, and to assist and advise those conducting internal investigations. They provide a wide array of services including assistance to department investigators, advice during on-going investigations, training, legal updates, and other services as requested. All team members are available to assist agencies at the request of Chief of Police and are expected to respond professionally, remain impartial, and perform with fairness and integrity.
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