How the Office of the Attorney General helps Texas law enforcement agencies, personnel

As Texas Attorney General, I have numerous responsibilities in law enforcement, most of which are handled through the Criminal Justice Divisions, under the direction of the Deputy Attorney General for criminal Justice. I am dedicated to making all the resources of my office available to Texas law enforcement.

As part of this commitment, I recently appointed Greg Brunson as my Law Enforcement Liaison. He will join 42 other commissioned peace officers at the Office of the Attorney General. Texas law enforcement personnel can contact him by telephone at 512/936-2993 or by e-mail at gregory.brunson@oag.state.tx.us.

For eight and a half years, he was a peace officer in Georgetown, Texas. During his service there, he was a patrol sergeant, a K-9 handler, an investigator and an entry team member. He also served for eight years in the Army reserve. I am extremely pleased that he is joining the Office of the Attorney General. Greg Brunson looks forward to hearing your concerns and helping you any way he can.

Following are a few of the resources our agency provides for law enforcement officials:

Criminal Investigations Division
• Internet Bureau: This summer, our Internet Bureau has taken into custody a total of 11 suspected child predators in Central Texas, a trend that signified the seriousness of the problem. The Internet Bureau is also available to assist local authorities to apprehend and charge people who use the Internet to commit illegal acts. These include child pornography, identity theft, commercial fraud, and internet child predator cases. The Bureau assists, educates, and trains local law enforcement personnel in technology-related law and investigative techniques.

• Project Gateway: The Attorney General's office works with local law enforcement to provide access to the IRS's 1,709 million record database in Project Gateway. If a local law enforcement official wants to find out if a crook in the community is handling large sums of cash that would affect the Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirement, our staff will do the search and get them the information they need.

• Technical assistance with asset forfeiture: Any agency that has the authority to hire peace officers is required to fill out a Chapter 59 asset forfeiture form every year and return it to the Office of the Attorney General. To obtain a form, go to www.oag.state.tx.us, click Publications from the right menu, then select Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice.

• Money Laundering: The Attorney General and his staff can enhance the resources available to local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute illegal drug trafficking. The Attorney General's office can also help convict those who illegally transport contraband currency from drug transactions through Texas.

• Capital prosecution: When law enforcement officials make an arrest in a murder case, they like to see a conviction. The Attorney General can provide many resources to aid district attorneys when they investigate and prosecute complex cases.

Criminal Law Enforcement Division

• Fugitive Locator Page: The Attorney General maintains a Fugitive Locator Page to assist in the detection of those who allegedly have committed serious crimes in Texas and who are believed to have escaped to the Republic of Mexico. Go to the Attorney General's Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us, click on Criminal Justice from the left menu, Select Article 4 Prosecutions, then Fugitive Locator Page.

• Gang Resource System: Sharing information helps Texas law enforcement officials combat gang activity. The Attorney General offers a secure Web site with a gang catalog, showing such indicators as tattoos, graffiti, hand signals and dress. Seasoned law enforcement officers use the site as a research tool and new recruits use it for training. To request a secure ID send an e-mail request to gangs@oag.state.tx.us.

• Nuisance Abatement: The considerable educational, legal and investigative resources of Attorney General Abbott's office are available to help law enforcement clean up illegal drug and gang activities. Law suits may be possible when local police document complaints against owners of properties where drug, gambling and prostitution offenses occur. For a copy of the Attorney General's Property Closure Manual, go to the Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us, click on Publications on the right menu, and scroll to the manual.

• International Prosecutions: Under the provisions of Article 4 of the Mexican Penal Code, law enforcement officials can work with the Republic of Mexico to prosecute virtually any felony committed by a Mexican national in the United States. The Attorney General can help law enforcement officials use the proper diplomatic and legal channels to obtain an International prosecution.

Crime Victim Services Division

• Crime victims benefits: Under the Crime Victims Compensation fund, peace officers are eligible for benefits.

• Crime victims materials: Brochures, applications, and palm cards on victims rights are available to law enforcement agencies free of charge.

• Crime victims training: The Attorney General's Office provides Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education certified trainers for law enforcement officers through the training academies and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

• Grants for victims services: The Crime Victims Services Division awards grants to law enforcement agencies to help them fund the victim assistance services they are required by law to provide.

• SANEs: The Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services program certifies Texas Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs). These forensic nurses are trained to collect and preserve evidence properly. These means they are an advantage in prosecuting the offender.

• Sexual Assault Exams: The Crime Victims Services Division will reimburse law enforcement agencies for reasonable costs associated with sexual assault examinations.

For additional information about the Office of the Attorney General, visit our Web at www.oag.state.tx.us.

Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas