Corrections

Changing the way information is obtained and where we obtain it.
By Detective/Corporal Efren Almodovar, Gang Unit Passaic County Jail

As a detective in an intel unit, being able to work with all the new high-tech systems like inmate email, inmate Kiosk, inmate phone system and even your old-fashioned regular mail all are still valuable sources of obtaining information. Most young officers don’t really understand how important it is to communicate to the person you are about to arrest or the inmate being housed in your jail. For some, it takes a few years to recognize how much information he or she is really sitting on that could help open a cold case or help with a current case being worked by the local police department. Depending on the intel and how we interpret it, one must be able to share it with the proper authority in order for it to work.

The gang member’s activity does not stop because he or she is locked up, and just like intel, it takes a special person in dealing with and getting all the information on current events; real true intel. How many intel officers have a supportive team on their phone where they could just make a call and verify that intel? Mentors like Lou Savelli and Joe Viola are pioneers in the game of gangs and intel sharing, opening the path on how to either work a gang member or gather the missing pieces to a case. The importance of identifying and combating gangs on the streets or within correctional facilities places a high importance on your intel. An example that I want to mention is that when major drug cases are conducted and executed, not all the money and drugs are recovered during the search. The very first thing these individuals do is get on the jail phone and reach out to the streets to move the drugs or money that wasn’t recovered during the search, and that is where the personnel inside the jail play an important part. No matter where you work, every facility is a pot of gold with intel and we have people dying to talk because no one really wants to do hard time. Reach out and ask the questions that are missing in your case to get the job done.

While investigating crimes occurring within the facility, gang-related or not, it became clear to me that the willingness of the inmates to share information, and the information they were providing, would also be beneficial to local police and federal enforcement agencies to assist in current criminal investigations and become the catalyst for new investigations. The unit was receiving information relating to gang activity, narcotics sales, burglary, homicide, and a host of other criminal activities. With information in hand, the unit was supplying leads regarding crimes to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Based on the amount of information the unit was regularly supplying, these agencies began to rely on the unit more and more for help in solving crimes. These agencies included the New York Police Department, FBI, various prosecutor’s offices, New Jersey State Police and others.

I feel obligated to stress the value that the good intel can provide local law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism, street gangs, and all crimes committed for which there are few leads. However, it is imperative that other law enforcement entities and corrections departments realize the importance and the vast amount of valuable information that exists within correctional institutions. In fact, corrections officers may be the first law enforcement officers gang members or terrorists will approach with information. Law enforcement trainers must place a greater emphasis on training new officers to be alert and receptive to these inmates, as well as actively facilitating the elicitation of information. The old stereotypes of criminal and cop must be put aside. We are living in a new world where attention must be paid at all times. Most importantly, attention must be paid to these incarcerated individuals if we are to make any strides in the war against crime and terror.

Detective Corporal Efren Almodovar has been in law enforcement since 1996. He is a Gang Detective for the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office. He holds an associate’s and bachelor’s degree and is proud to serve as a police academy instructor.