TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Center for Law Enforcement Technology, Training & Research, Inc. (LETTR) and the City of North Port in the Amount of $2,500, and a No Cost Memorandum of Understanding Between the Windermere Police Department (WPD) and the City of North Port for Participation in the National Data Exchange (N-DEx) and Florida Integrated Network for Data Exchange and Retrieval (FINDER).
Recommended Action
Approve Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Center for Law Enforcement Technology, Training & Research, Inc., and the City of North Port, at an annual cost of $2,500. Also approve an MOU between the Windermere Police Department (WPD) between the City of North Port for participation within the National Data Exchange (N-DEx) and the Florida Integrated Network for Data Exchange and Retrieval (FINDER).
Background Information
Federated Integrated Network for Data Exchange & Retrieval (FINDER) was created as a result of the horrific events of 9/11. The lack of information sharing among law enforcement was brought to the forefront as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attack. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement along with over 355 state and local law enforcement agencies across the country became a part of an information sharing system that would become known as FINDER. The system is a data sharing consortium created in partnership with the University of Central Florida which allows for agencies to share law enforcement records electronically with one another. The system has been in place in Florida since 2003 with 120 state and local law enforcement agencies in the state participating. The cost of FINDER is for maintaining the information sharing network. Finder is under the umbrella of the Center for Law Enforcement Technology, Training & Research (LETTR). LETTR is a Florida not-for-profit.
FINDER is a critical piece of software utilized by our agency to investigate crimes and bring justice for our victims. The Department is required to possess their own access and MOU with FINDER for utilization of the system at an annual cost of $2,500.
An MOU with the WPD is necessary due to its role as the “Lead Criminal Justice Agency” (LCJA) with respect to the access, use and contribution of data to the National Data Exchange (N-DEx) System by the Florida law enforcement agencies which participate in FINDER. Both parties have entered into Criminal Justice User Agreements with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and are required to abide by the current Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Policy (CSP) for access to state and national CJIS as defined by the CSP. There is no cost for the N-DEx MOU.
The proposed MOU’s have been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney as to form and correctness.
Strategic Plan
Maintain the adopted level of health and public safety services.
Financial Impact
The recurring cost for accessing this important database is $2,500 annually. This will be funded through the Police Department budget, account 001-2100-521-46-01, and is contingent upon approval of the FY 20/21 budget.
Procurement
This procurement is made pursuant to Section 2-403 (a) (2) procurement contracts between the City and nonprofit organizations, other governments or other public entities.
Attachments:
1. MOU Center for Law Enforcement Techology
2. NAC Designation
3. North Port PD to WPD for N-DEx
4. Procurement Competitive Exemption Form
5. Florida Division of Corporations Form
Prepared by: Deputy Police Chief Chris Morales
Department Director: Police Chief Todd R. Garrison