Protecting Our Children on the Agenda for the Second Annual Child Exploitation Investigators’ Workshop

Calgary, Alberta - April 21, 2005 — Law enforcement officers from across the country who work in the field of investigating Internet-based sexual exploitation of children are gathered in Calgary to take part in the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre’s second annual workshop from April 21 -23, 2005.

The National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC) workshop is specifically designed to provide investigators with the tools they require to do their jobs more effectively.

This is a great opportunity for investigators from across jurisdictions to come together and discuss best practices and investigational techniques,” says Inspector Jennifer Strachan, Officer in Charge of the NCECC.

Workshop participants will benefit from presentations on the Child Exploitation Tracking System (CETS), the national training program and child sex tourism. To further support integration efforts, law enforcement from across Canada will provide input and advice into the national centre and the future direction needed. This will allow the national perspective to represent all areas of influence across Canada ensuring a holistic approach to cybercrimes against children.

Investigators will also attend presentations given by representatives from partner organizations including Interpol, the Canadian Border Services Agency, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Cybercrime is one of the fastest growing components of police work today and the challenges for law enforcement are profound,” says Inspector Strachan. “Internet predators are connecting across continents in virtual anonymity and committing serious crimes. It is essential that law enforcement, private industry and governments continue to combine strengths to catch criminals.”

The NCECC workshop is a true picture of integrated policing with participants representing 10 provinces and one territory; 21 police agencies; two US departments; one Interpol representative; two Canadian Border Security Agency representatives; and, three Crown Prosecutors.

The NCECC, a federally funded program within the RCMP’s National Police Services, is a national clearing house and coordination centre for all international requests to conduct investigations in Canada related to child sexual exploitation on the Internet. It is a multi-agency centre that creates links between police agencies across the country to coordinate investigations, promote investigative standards, share intelligence and provide investigational assistance in the pursuit of pedophiles who use the Internet to disseminate images of children for sexual purposes.

Since July, 2004, the NCECC has received 813 tips of which 80 percent involve multi-jurisdictional and trans-border investigations.

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For more information, please contact RCMP Media Relations at (613) 993-2999 or Michelle Rose, RCMP Communication Strategist at (613) 292-8034.