NCJ Number
74327
Journal
Police Product News Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1981) Pages: 48-49,52-54
Date Published
1981
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The article discusses the formation operation, and staff of the Joint Powers Arson Control unit (JPACU) in Orange County, Calif.
Abstract
Funded with an LEAA grant, JPACU, an LEAA-funded program composed of three investigators, was established in 1979. The four JPACU cities had already entered a joint powers agreement for fire communication, training, emergency response, and paramedical service. Property losses from arson had risen 100 percent between 1976 and 1978, giving impetus to the formation of a special investigative unit devoted to arson. The unit, designed to be independent of the four fire and police departments, works closely with them. The team members have extensive experience in both police and fire investigative work. A deputy district attorney, assigned to all arson filings, advises the field investigators on procedural matters and court decisions regarding evidence and questioning. During its first nine months, the unit investigated 105 cases, of which 29 resulted in arrests or diversions to juvenile counseling programs; 21 were found to be non-criminal. Of the eight arson cases that had gone to trial by July, 1980, every one resulted in a conviction as charged. Furthermore, the unit has fostered cooperation between the police and fire departments. Because of budgeting restrictions the LEAA grant ended in December 1980, responsibility for the unit was transferred to the four fire departments and the staff was reduced to two investigators.