Over 800 law enforcement officers and prosecutors
engaged in the investigation and prosecution
of computer/computer intensive crimes.
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The Houston Area Technical Support (HATS) Interagency Group was a multi-agency association of law enforcement officers and prosecutors involved in the investigation of computer related crimes. HATS was created to deal with increasing demands upon limited technical investigative resources of Houston area law enforcement agencies. Sharing has afforded HATS member agencies access to substantially increased investigative resources with little or no increase in local funding. The organization grew and prospered due to the varied expertise and selfless dedication of its membership. HATS manifested a loose and entirely voluntary association of law enforcement officers and prosecutors. Although not exclusively associated with any particular agency or program, the early insight and support of local agency heads, coupled with early encouragement from the Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Computer Crimes/Intellectual Property Section, was critical. The more recent support of key individuals within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center computer forensics community is also noteworthy. HATS existed only to solve problems, and, unlike more traditional highly structured efforts, will exist only so long as it continues to meet the needs of its users. Rather than being hampered by its at times seeming lack of formal organization and mission, these very traits have served instead to engender freer and more mission directed cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Locally conceived and operated, HATS served as a model for similar interagency cooperative efforts in large metropolitan areas across the nation. Inasmuch as many law enforcement problems are local in nature, these spin-off groups will no doubt take on a character best suited to local problems and resources. |