DMACC & Law Enforcement Unveil New Electronic Crime Institute
Post Date: 03.27.08
Congressman Latham "makes the crime fighting facility a reality."
Ankeny, IOWA --- U.S. Representative Tom Latham announced today a new, first-of-its-kind Electronic Crime Institute that will be built and equipped on the Ankeny Campus of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).
Congressman Latham secured a $1.7 million federal appropriation to establish this new DMACC crime fighting initiative that will educate students and help law enforcement combat cybercrime and cyberterrorism.
"Crime involving the internet and computers is a growing problem across our nation today," said Latham. "It's crucial that criminal justice students and law enforcement be educated and highly trained to meet this threat. That's the mission of the new Electronic Crime Institute at DMACC. I expect it will serve as a model for other states to follow," predicted Latham.
Courtney Greene from Governor Chet Culver's office was on hand along with other local and state law enforcement executives to present a Certificate of Recognition to DMACC Presiden Rob Denson.
"What makes this initiative unique is that the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation's Cyber Crime and Crimes Against Children unit will be embedded within the new Institute," said Steve Bogle, director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. "This unprecedented cooperation between law enforcement academia will strengthen Iowa's crime fighting efforts by helping us better investigate electronic crime, process evidence, educate the public and train students and professionals."
Bogle cited some examples of cybercrime including internet identity theft, software piracy, internet crimes of sexual exploitation, cyber stalking, crimes of e-commerce, computer hacking and examination of electronic evidence.
"We greatly appreciate Congressman Latham's efforts to make the new crime fighting facility a reality," said Denson. "With the Iowa Crime Labs located on the DMACC Ankeny Campus and through our criminal justice program, the college has a history of working with law enforcement to protect the citizens of Iowa," Denson continued.
"We look forward to further strengthening that relationship with local, state and federal officials to address the growing threat of cybercrime. It's also another example of DMACC addressing the critical needs of our workforce today," he added.
Plans are underway for a building expansion to house the new Electronic Crime Institute. The federal dollars will be used to hire faculty and purchase equipment and software. The institute and crime fighting program is expected to be ready this fall.
DMACC is committed to educating, training and encouraging success for students of all ages. DMACC is Iowa's largest community college, serving more than 28,000 students enrolled in credit classes and more than 34,000 students in noncredit programs on six campuses, as well as many other locations across Central Iowa.
For information, contact:
Todd Jones, Marketing and Public Relations, (515) 964-6242
Click the links below to view video of SAC Gerard Meyers, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Cyber Crime Unit, describing the benefits.
