The FBI participates in task forces with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies investigating matters of joint interest. These task forces have proven to be a very effective way to address specific crime problems. In law enforcement, "concurrent jurisdiction" may exist whereby a crime may be classified simultaneously as a local, state, and federal violation. For example, the FBI cooperates with other agencies under the Safe Streets Crime Initiative, which combines FBI resources with other federal, state, and local agencies to address violent crime primarily by street gangs and as a result of drug trafficking. Other task forces may concentrate on organized crime, bank robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, and motor vehicle theft.

JOINT TERRORISM TASK FORCE

The Las Vegas FBI initiated its JTTF in June 2002. Currently, 25 full-time members and five part-time members from 15 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the Nevada JTTF. This interagency composition fosters cooperation, enhances the intelligence base, affords training opportunities to task force members, and provides overtime funds for state and local participants. In an effort to fortify its intelligence base as well as provide timely information to the public and private sector, the Nevada JTTF, with the assistance of the District of Nevada U.S. Attorney's Office, established its website, www.neonn.org. This website, which is accessible by the public, facilitates the flow of information between public and private sector entities, law enforcement agencies, and the Nevada JTTF.

Any information regarding suspected terrorist activity may be provided to the FBI at (702) 385-1281.

CRIMINAL APPREHENSION TEAM (CATS)

The mission of CATS is to identify and target for prosecution violent fugitives and felons who have committed criminal acts within the Las Vegas Valley area and those believed to have subsequently fled the state of Nevada. Additionally, CATS will provide assistance in other violent incident crime investigations in the Las Vegas area. CATS will enhance the effectiveness of federal/state/local law enforcement resources through a well coordinated initiative seeking the most effective investigative/prosecutive avenues by which to convict and incarcerate dangerous offenders.

All local and state law enforcement personnel designated to CATS, subject to a limited background inquiry, will be sworn as deputized Special Federal Officers, with the FBI securing the required deputization authorization. These deputizations will remain in effect throughout the tenure of each investigator's assignment to CATS or until termination of the task force, whichever occurs first.

All CATS investigations will be initiated in accordance with United States Attorney General Guidelines on General Crimes, Racketeering Enterprise and Domestic Security/Terrorism Investigations (AG Guidelines). The investigative methods employed will be consistent with the policies and procedures of the FBI and the AG Guidelines. However, in situations where the statutory or common law of Nevada is more restrictive than 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.

The criteria for determining whether to prosecute a particular violation in state or federal court will focus upon achieving the greatest overall benefit to law enforcement and the public. Any question which arises pertaining to prosecutive jurisdiction will be resolved through discussion among all investigative agencies and prosecutive entities having an interest in the matter.

LAS VEGAS SAFE STREETS GANG TASK FORCE (LVSSGTF)

The mission of the LVSSGTF is to identify and target for prosecution and dismantlement violent street gangs operating in the Las Vegas Valley. The LVSSGTF will enhance the effectiveness of federal/state/local law enforcement resources through a well coordinated initiative seeking the most effective investigative/prosecutive avenues by which to convict and incarcerate dangerous offenders.

All participants acknowledge that the LVSSGTF is a joint operation in which all agencies act as partners in the operation of the task force. An Executive Board, made up of the heads of the participating entities, will be responsible for the policy and direction of the LVSSGTF. The Executive Board will meet semiannually in order to collectively provide policy oversight. Membership on the Executive Board can be delegated by the law enforcement agency head to a subordinate.

All LVSSGTF investigations will be initiated in accordance with United States Attorney General Guidelines on General Crimes, Racketeering Enterprise and Domestic Security/Terrorism Investigations (AG Guidelines). The investigative methods employed will be consistent with the policies and procedures of the FBI and the AG Guidelines. However, in situations where the statutory or common law of Nevada is more restrictive than 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.

The criteria for determining whether to prosecute a particular violation in state or federal court will focus upon achieving the greatest overall benefit to law enforcement and the public. Any question which arises pertaining to prosecutive jurisdiction will be resolved through discussion among all investigative agencies and prosecutive entities having an interest in the matter.

MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS (MDTO)

The purpose of the MDTO is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle targeted local, national, and international drug trafficking organizations; seize their contraband and assets; and aggressively seek Federal prosecution of targeted subjects.
The MDTO also focuses on major drug trafficking organizations employing long term, comprehensive investigations utilizing sophisticated investigative techniques, and to probe the full scope of the drug trafficking organization and its associated cells. Additional focus is placed on career criminals and repeat offenders who are part of major drug trafficking organizations.