ICE Trains Federal Enforcement Agents in Computer Forensics

For the past 14 years, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been responsible for training ICE officers and special agents to become computer forensic investigators.

ICE teaches the class in conjunction with the U.S. Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service.

Each year, two, six-week classes are offered at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, S.C. The class is comprised of 24 students – eight from each agency. Next year will be the 14th consecutive year of the program.

After each session, instructors get together to figure out what tweaks need to be made for the next class. Keeping the sessions as up-to-date as possible is a key priority.

"It's ever changing," said Computer Forensic Unit's Matthew Swenson. "Each year, we try and take into account and implement things that are relevant."

The course is comprised of two parts: Basic Computer Evidence Recovery Training (BCERT) and Post Computer Evidence Recovery Training (PCERT). The first two weeks are taught by Hewlett Packard employees who teach students the ins and outs of computer software and hardware. The next four weeks focus on teaching students how to use that knowledge to actually conduct a computer forensic investigation. Participants learn how to examine the computer, how to find evidence and how to write a report that all parties involved in an investigation can understand.

Swenson noted that it's not only the investigators who have to be able to understand the report, but also everyone in the justice system who will be involved in the sentencing.

As technology continues to advance, Swenson said the need for computer forensic investigators also rises. These days, he said, almost all criminals use some kind of technology that evidence can be found on.

"We take regular investigators off the street and teach them everything the need to know," he said.

There are currently 250 computer forensic agents within ICE, working at fields offices throughout the nation and attaché offices across the world.

ICE Graduation Honors Mexican Border Guards of MEXCIT Program

A group of 23 Mexican customs officers completed a rigorous 10-week training program modeled on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Training Program to prepare them to more effectively fight crime along the southern border and within Mexico.

Students of the ICE-sponsored Mexican Customs Investigator Training (MEXCIT), their instructors, and Mexican and U.S. dignitaries attended a graduation ceremony at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston Aug. 23, 2012.

 The event underlined ICE's continuing commitment to partner with Mexico in confronting drug cartels and other criminal organizations whose actions undermine public safety, erode the rule of law and threaten the national security of the United States, Mexico and the world at large.

ICE Director John Morton commended the students for completing the challenging and physically demanding course work that included getting a dousing of pepper spray. Morton said MEXCIT is the first of its kind and "stands as a shining example of the strength of the U.S. and Mexico's commitment to bilateral cooperation."

"In the last several years, we have seen a greater level of security cooperation between our two countries than at any point in our histories," said Morton. "Fighting the criminal organizations that threaten our safety and security demands a response that is transnational and that is coordinated."

Also addressing the crowd was Director Alfredo Gutierrez from the Mexican Tax Administration Service, who said, "We all know that our actions transcend borders. The governments of Mexico and the United States are committed to using our resources to significantly improve the security and the environment in which our commercial activities take place."

James S. Thomas, unit chief of international training at the ICE Academy said, "A large block of curriculum was dedicated to officer safety, internal controls and anti-corruption. It energized the instructors teaching the classes because the students were so enthusiastic and raised so many questions."

A total of 47 Mexican customs officers have now completed this training program.

ICE Agents Train for Missions Abroad

With 71 offices in 47 countries, many U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents serve in dangerous locations, often exposing themselves to a variety of threats. That's why HSI's Personnel Recovery Unit prepares HSI personnel for life overseas.

Since its February 2011 inception, the Personnel Recovery Unit has equipped HSI employees with the necessary knowledge, tools, gear and skills needed to identify and appropriately respond to isolating events or potentially dangerous situations. These situations range from natural disasters to political instability to acts of violence.

Before departing for their station abroad, special agents undergo intense training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Cheltenham, Md. A mix of classroom training and simulated real-life exercises prepares special agents for unexpected scenarios that they may face and gives them tools to reduce vulnerabilities abroad.

"We teach them [employees] how to identify or recognize, and if possible, prevent a dangerous or compromising situation; how to egress from the area; and most importantly, how to use these tools and techniques to help them survive an isolating event," said Personnel Recovery Unit Chief Johnny "J.P." Moseley.

The unit is not only focused on the safety of HSI employees who work abroad. Their families' safety is also a top priority. Family members receive training, provided by the U.S. Department of State, that readies them for living overseas.

A division within ICE's HSI Office of International Affairs, the Personnel Recovery Unit focuses on four core competencies. According to Special Agent Wayne Jones, "The Personnel Recovery Unit provides our posts and headquarters with the operational support needed to respond to events, ensures ICE's special agents receive the training and equipment they need, incorporates new strategies and lessons learned, and maintains a solid management and administrative infrastructure."

Unit Chief Moseley is working with the ICE Office of Training and Development, other HSI divisions and with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to develop an advance training course for ICE employees who work abroad.