NCJ Number
189015
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 109-111
Date Published
May 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article explains the rationale for and the operations of the "Warrant Squad" of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C.
Abstract
An analysis of the status of the cases being carried by the department found that in a high percentage of cases, an offender had been identified and an arrest warrant issued, but the offender had not been found and arrested. Apparently the work of investigators focused on determining the offender and securing a probable-cause arrest warrant, but few resources of personnel and time were being devoted to finding and actually arresting the alleged offender. Because of this circumstance, the department established a unit whose full-time job is to find and arrest violent offenders for whom an arrest warrant has been issued. The new unit was initially composed of 3 sergeants and 15 officers. The unit obtained cases from the homicide branch for which arrest warrants had been issued but no arrest made. When the unit determined that many of the wanted individuals were outside the city in the surrounding jurisdictions, they sought help from the FBI, which sent a supervisor and six special agents to join the team. Team members receive training in strategies for locating and arresting wanted persons. Partners in this unit now include the U.S. Marshall Service, and its primary mission continues to be the apprehension of fugitives who have been charged with violent, weapons, and drug-related offenses. In the first 11 months of 2000, the Warrant Squad has arrested or located 442 fugitives wanted on felony arrest warrants and recovered 26 guns.