Fishbonker
Life Member
TIP Thing #1: Don't forget when you purchase your deer tags to donate $2.00 to Turn In Poachers of Iowa. There is supposed to be a screen on the ELSI computer that prompts the clerk to ask if you would like to donate $2.00 to TIP but I haven't been asked for several years. I always remind the clerk to add it to the cost of the tag.
TIP is not funded from the Fish and Game Protection Fund. TIP relies on the $2.00 donations to fund the rewards program. Please remember to donate.
TIP Thing #2: With the budget cuts the DNR is facing they have instituted a "No out of State Travel" policy. This policy has created a sort of Catch-22.
There is a Federal program that will provide equipment and training for a Mobile Device Interrogation Program. The cost of the training for one Conservation Officer with the equipment included is $7500.00. If the DNR wanted to purchase the training and equipment without the Federal program it would cost $15,000.00.
Here is the catch: the Federal program is only provided at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. The DNR "No out of State Travel" policy prevents them from sending a Conservation Officer to the training and taking advantage of the Federal subsidy.
To try and overcome the “No out of State Travel policy” several Conservation Officers came to the last TIP meeting with a request that TIP provide the necessary funding to send one Conservation Officer to the FLETC for the training and equipment.
A little background on what a Mobile Device Interrogation Program is. It is a small computer that can download all the data from a cell phone or tablet. The computer reads all the contacts, text messaging, photos, videos, call history, cell towers and GPS co-ordinates on the cell phone or tablet. Some cell phones and tablets even save GPS info for photos.
The plan is to send one Conservation Officer from the Under Cover Investigations Unit to be trained and keep the computer. When a large bust is imminent and a search warrant is obtained the Conservation Officer will travel to that area to be there to interrogate the cell phone or tablet of the suspect when the bust occurs.
Currently the Conservation Officers have to rely on other agencies to do the device interrogation often resulting in delays in obtaining the information. These delays, days to weeks, can result in other potential suspects who might be on the contacts of the suspected poacher to “lose” their cell phones or destroy other evidence.
The Conservation Officers who attended the TIP meeting outlined several huge cases that were made with the MDIP and a big one that may slip away because the suspect petitioned the court to get his cell phone back before they could get the device interrogation done. That case is still working its way through the system.
In Iowa the courts can assess liquidated damages on poaching cases. In short, liquidated damages means the People of Iowa suffered a loss by the action of the poacher and the poacher is to make the People of Iowa whole by paying for the damages. A 200 inch deer can be a $20,000.00 fine. This money goes to the Fish and Game Protection Fund. One bust involving a 200 inch deer would more than pay for the cost of the training, but here again the Catch-22, no out of state travel and no funds to purchase the equipment.
With all that in mind, TIP has agreed to pay for up to 50% of the training. TIP will match up to $3750.00 in donations from other sources.
There was an Iowa Conservation Alliance meeting today. The ICA is an umbrella group for several organizations. I can’t name them all off the top of my head, but they include PF, NWTF, DU, WU, IBA, ITA, IWL, and several others. The Conservation Officers attended and made their pitch for funding.
At this time the dates for the training aren't set so it is important to get the funding in place so we can secure a slot for one of the Conservation Officers.
There are two things you can do to help secure the funding for this invaluable training and equipment. If you are a member of an organization ask that your organization sends a donation or if you would like to donate you can send a check to TIP. TIP will act as the clearing house for funds so to make a donation (either personal or your organization) please send a check made out to TIP of Iowa Inc. to:
It is important that in the memo area of the check please put UCIU so the donation goes into the correct account. This is your chance to directly help put poachers behind bars or in the financial hurt locker. Remember that any liquidated damage fines go back to the Fish and Game Protection Fund and will eventually benefit fishing, hunting and trapping in Iowa.
One last note, the Under Cover Investigations Unit (UCIU) has been around since the early 80’s. I didn’t even know they existed until the TIP meeting. The members of the UCIU are called upon when a large case develops that is too big for one Conservation Officer to handle. Let’s just say that if you are on the UCIU radar expect a rocket up your after burner, you are going down in flames.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Also please feel free to share this information on any other web sites. We need to make this happen.
Thanks.
The ‘Bonker
TIP is not funded from the Fish and Game Protection Fund. TIP relies on the $2.00 donations to fund the rewards program. Please remember to donate.
TIP Thing #2: With the budget cuts the DNR is facing they have instituted a "No out of State Travel" policy. This policy has created a sort of Catch-22.
There is a Federal program that will provide equipment and training for a Mobile Device Interrogation Program. The cost of the training for one Conservation Officer with the equipment included is $7500.00. If the DNR wanted to purchase the training and equipment without the Federal program it would cost $15,000.00.
Here is the catch: the Federal program is only provided at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. The DNR "No out of State Travel" policy prevents them from sending a Conservation Officer to the training and taking advantage of the Federal subsidy.
To try and overcome the “No out of State Travel policy” several Conservation Officers came to the last TIP meeting with a request that TIP provide the necessary funding to send one Conservation Officer to the FLETC for the training and equipment.
A little background on what a Mobile Device Interrogation Program is. It is a small computer that can download all the data from a cell phone or tablet. The computer reads all the contacts, text messaging, photos, videos, call history, cell towers and GPS co-ordinates on the cell phone or tablet. Some cell phones and tablets even save GPS info for photos.
The plan is to send one Conservation Officer from the Under Cover Investigations Unit to be trained and keep the computer. When a large bust is imminent and a search warrant is obtained the Conservation Officer will travel to that area to be there to interrogate the cell phone or tablet of the suspect when the bust occurs.
Currently the Conservation Officers have to rely on other agencies to do the device interrogation often resulting in delays in obtaining the information. These delays, days to weeks, can result in other potential suspects who might be on the contacts of the suspected poacher to “lose” their cell phones or destroy other evidence.
The Conservation Officers who attended the TIP meeting outlined several huge cases that were made with the MDIP and a big one that may slip away because the suspect petitioned the court to get his cell phone back before they could get the device interrogation done. That case is still working its way through the system.
In Iowa the courts can assess liquidated damages on poaching cases. In short, liquidated damages means the People of Iowa suffered a loss by the action of the poacher and the poacher is to make the People of Iowa whole by paying for the damages. A 200 inch deer can be a $20,000.00 fine. This money goes to the Fish and Game Protection Fund. One bust involving a 200 inch deer would more than pay for the cost of the training, but here again the Catch-22, no out of state travel and no funds to purchase the equipment.
With all that in mind, TIP has agreed to pay for up to 50% of the training. TIP will match up to $3750.00 in donations from other sources.
There was an Iowa Conservation Alliance meeting today. The ICA is an umbrella group for several organizations. I can’t name them all off the top of my head, but they include PF, NWTF, DU, WU, IBA, ITA, IWL, and several others. The Conservation Officers attended and made their pitch for funding.
At this time the dates for the training aren't set so it is important to get the funding in place so we can secure a slot for one of the Conservation Officers.
There are two things you can do to help secure the funding for this invaluable training and equipment. If you are a member of an organization ask that your organization sends a donation or if you would like to donate you can send a check to TIP. TIP will act as the clearing house for funds so to make a donation (either personal or your organization) please send a check made out to TIP of Iowa Inc. to:
TIP of Iowa, Inc.
P.O. Box 703
Pella, Iowa 50219
It is important that in the memo area of the check please put UCIU so the donation goes into the correct account. This is your chance to directly help put poachers behind bars or in the financial hurt locker. Remember that any liquidated damage fines go back to the Fish and Game Protection Fund and will eventually benefit fishing, hunting and trapping in Iowa.
One last note, the Under Cover Investigations Unit (UCIU) has been around since the early 80’s. I didn’t even know they existed until the TIP meeting. The members of the UCIU are called upon when a large case develops that is too big for one Conservation Officer to handle. Let’s just say that if you are on the UCIU radar expect a rocket up your after burner, you are going down in flames.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Also please feel free to share this information on any other web sites. We need to make this happen.
Thanks.
The ‘Bonker
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