News Release (C-11-98)

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For Immediate Release (C-11-98) Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670 September 22, 1998

Cal/EPA's Environmental Crimes at the Border Course and Video Certified by Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training

SACRAMENTO - The California Environmental Protection Agency's (Cal/EPA) Air Resources Board (ARB) was commended with the official certification of its "Environmental Crimes at the Border" training course and video by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The project was made possible through the cooperative effort of the local, state and federal agencies participating in the Cal/EPA Border Enforcement Taskforce.

Peter M. Rooney, Secretary for Environmental Protection, said, "The acceptance of our course and video presentation by California law enforcement is an honor. It is our hope these tools will help law enforcement officials recognize environmental crimes and act swiftly and collaboratively to protect public health."

The course and video include a series of environmental crime scenarios at the U.S. - Mexican border. Each scenario includes a law enforcement member observing a suspicious environmental activity and the use of investigative techniques. The scenarios include illegal dumping of tires, toxic substances and containers, as well as the smuggling of freon, hazardous acids, pesticides and live animals. The 12-hour course will be given in select California and Arizona cities.

With POST certification, the course and video will be used to train law enforcement officials working at or near the Mexican border. POST is a major resource for authoritative law enforcement education materials and training. POST is designed to help law enforcement officials stay up-to-date on new investigative and professional techniques, including crimes at the border.

The course and video were used in June, 1998 at an ARB-sponsored "train-the-trainer" workshop in San Diego.

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1998 Releases | Archived Press Releases