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I would like to thank everyone who attended our annual Mid-Winter Conference in Grand Rapids. This year's conference attracted the highest number of exhibitors and attendees in MACP history. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Training Committee who coordinated the various workshops, 26 in all, as well as Executive Director Tom Hendrickson and his Executive Assistant Jamie Foster. I am very pleased to report that we received positive feedback on the quality of the workshops and attendance. In addition, five of the six gubernatorial candidates made presentations before our membership and addressed some of our organization's most pressing issues: Racial Profiling, Mandatory Data Collection Legislation and CCW Legislation. At our annual banquet we honored Colonel Michael Robinson with the Chief's Professional Service Award. Col. Robinson, who recently announced his retirement from the Michigan State Police, was honored for his leadership and dedication to law enforcement. We also honored State Representative Jennifer Faunce and State Senator William Van Regenmorter with the 2001 State Legislators of the Year Awards. A special thank you goes to Chief Dolan of the Grand Rapids Police Department for hosting the 2002 Mid-Winter Conference and to the department personnel assigned to the conference.
On Wednesday, January 16, 2002 MACP President William J. Dwyer spoke at news conference held by Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Secret Service to address their new joint venture to combat technology-based financial crimes, including cybercrime and identity theft. The following is the text of his address. "I am here today as a police chief and as the president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. I would like to thank, James Dunlap, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit office of the U.S. Secret Service, and Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm, for this opportunity to join them, and address you." "On behalf of police chiefs from across the state of Michigan, I commend Mr. Dunlap and Attorney General Granholm for their joint venture, to combat technology-based financial crimes, including cybercrime and identity theft." "Just two months ago, I gave testimony before three congressional subcommittees in Washington, D.C. I presented a candid perspective on the state of relations and cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies. I testified that for the most part, relationships and cooperation are excellent." "Today is one more example of that 'Cooperation and Excellence.' The Secret Service is to be commended for the current distribution of 20,000 copies of the "Forward Edge" software. It provides excellent resource materials to detectives investigating electronic crime. The software will help train investigators to interview witnesses, seize evidence, and write search warrants. This information will be especially helpful to smaller police agencies. Cypbercrime has no boundaries. It travels electronically to all jurisdictions, big and small. It must be fought with law enforcement partnerships." "The partnership of federal, state and local law enforcement that you are witnessing today will truly help protect our nation's financial infrastructure, from high tech crime and identity theft."
Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) President William J. Dwyer has been asked by several media sources how local police agencies throughout Michigan are responding to issues associated with the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Chief Dwyer stated, "Local police chiefs are directing extra patrols at all schools, churches, synagogues, and government buildings. The enforcement of ethnic intimidation and bomb threat statutes are a top priority of Michigan law enforcement." The Chief intends to convey this message to the MACP membership through their newsletter and web site. The Chief described "tension and fear as plaguing members of ethnic and religious minorities." Dwyer cited several highly publicized anti-Muslim and Islamic incidents reported in Texas, Illinois, California, Washington, and Florida. According to Dwyer, local agencies in Michigan will be strictly enforcing the state's ethnic intimidation law. The statute prohibits physical contact, threats, and property damage because of a person's race, color, religion, gender, or national origin. Violators of the law are guilty of a felony and may face up to two years in jail. "Local law enforcement will also be vigorously prosecuting individuals who make false bomb threats," Dwyer said. Farmington Hills and many other cities have already experienced several false bomb threats. Falsely reporting a bomb is a four-year felony. Placement of a device representing a bomb is a five-year felony. According to Chief Dwyer, "Instead of creating chaos with crimes of hate and false bomb threats, Americans should stand united, not divided." For further information, contact Chief William Dwyer at (248) 473-9602.
The President's Message is a regular feature printed in each Michigan Police Chiefs Newsletter, the magazine mailed to each member of the MACP. The newsletter message is authored by the current MACP President. I have the honor of authoring the first President's Message that has reached cyberspace, via the new MACP web site. Congratulations to MACP Executive Director Tom Hendrickson and Executive Assistant Jamie Foster for their hard work to launch the new web site. It looks great! It will strengthen the efforts of our organization and share information to the visitors of our web site. We now join a few other states chiefs organizations with web sites. I recently browsed a few of the other web sites. I quickly learned the issues and challenges faced by Michigan law enforcement are similar to those faced by law enforcement executives in other states. Computer technology does more than share information and help us stay in touch. Starting October 1st, a computerized database will store the DNA profile of all felons convicted in Michigan. This exciting advancement will help solve crime and provide more conclusive data. Michigan will join eight other states that already collect DNA evidence from all convicted felons. The Michigan database is expected to add 30,000 samples this year. A limited database of 16,000 criminals is already on file. In closing, I remind our members to support the efforts to repeal the new July 1st "shall issue" concealed weapons law. People Who Care About Kids needs to collect 242,000 signatures in 180 days to put "initiative legislation" on the ballot. Four out of five Michigan residents support the old "may issue" law. I look forward to sharing future newsletters sent by mail and into cyberspace. Feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns. I may be reached at the Farmington Hills Police Department at (248) 473-9602, by FAX, (248) 426-1501, or by email at wdwyer@ci.farmington-hills.mi.us
Respectfully,
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