Police Partnership Focuses on Pulling Plug on Internet Crimes Against Children

Local law enforcement has taken another step to protect children from online predators.

The has joined the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. As part of this affiliation, the department is eligible for:

• Reimbursement to help fund ICAC-related expenses, including computer hardware and software;
• Notification of and priority for sought-after ICAC-related training, offered both nationally and in Wisconsin;
• Investigative assistance from highly trained ICAC investigators and forensic computer analysts throughout the state.

“We’re very fortunate to have the resources and expertise of the Department of Justice at our disposal,” Greenfield Police Chief Brad Wentlandt said in a statement. “This partnership will help our investigators bring additional training and tools to our ongoing fight against the sexual exploitation of children.”

According to a press release, one in seven children is asked online to engage in sexual activities, sexual talk, or provide personal sexual information. In 2011, the ICAC Task Force was responsible for arresting more than 100 child predators while, in the same year, more than 45,000 individuals in Wisconsin attended presentations on online child exploitation to further the agency’s efforts to protect children.

“Wisconsin’s ICAC Task Force is a national leader, and within the past decade, the task force and affiliate agencies have arrested hundreds of suspects," Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said in a statement. “We are pleased to have the Greenfield Police Department as a member. The training of more officers by adding affiliates only furthers my mission to protect Wisconsin’s children.”

The number of local law enforcement partners to the Department of Justice's ICAC Task Force is now more than 175. Click here to see a list of affiliates.