MADISON - The Green County Sheriff's Department has joined the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Department of Justice announced in a release Monday.
It is the second local law enforcement agency to join in recent weeks. The Monroe Police Department joined in late January.
"We are extremely pleased to join the many other Wisconsin law enforcement agencies in their efforts to identify and apprehend those who victimize our children," Sheriff Jeff Skatrud said in a statement.
The growing task force is part of a push by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to prioritize proactive responses to Internet crimes against children, citing data that one in seven children is asked online to engage in sexual activities, sexual talk, or provide personal sexual information.
Van Hollen has directed a 67 percent increase in the number of special agents assigned from within the Division of Criminal Investigation and added local affiliates across the state.
The number of local law enforcement partners in the task force has increased to more than 180 since Van Hollen took office, according to the release.
Last year the task force was responsible for arresting 131 suspected child predators across the state. The Department of Justice reports this is the highest number of arrests during a calendar year ever recorded for the organization.
As part of the affiliation, the Green County Sheriff's Department is eligible for:
• Reimbursement to help fund-related expenses, including computer hardware and software.
• Notification of and priority for sought-after training, offered both nationally and in Wisconsin.
• Investigative assistance from trained investigators and forensic computer analysts throughout the state.
• Access to the national ICAC email group.
To learn more about the ICAC Task Force program at the Green County Sheriff's Department, contact Lt. Rodney Hicks at 608-328-9616.
It is the second local law enforcement agency to join in recent weeks. The Monroe Police Department joined in late January.
"We are extremely pleased to join the many other Wisconsin law enforcement agencies in their efforts to identify and apprehend those who victimize our children," Sheriff Jeff Skatrud said in a statement.
The growing task force is part of a push by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to prioritize proactive responses to Internet crimes against children, citing data that one in seven children is asked online to engage in sexual activities, sexual talk, or provide personal sexual information.
Van Hollen has directed a 67 percent increase in the number of special agents assigned from within the Division of Criminal Investigation and added local affiliates across the state.
The number of local law enforcement partners in the task force has increased to more than 180 since Van Hollen took office, according to the release.
Last year the task force was responsible for arresting 131 suspected child predators across the state. The Department of Justice reports this is the highest number of arrests during a calendar year ever recorded for the organization.
As part of the affiliation, the Green County Sheriff's Department is eligible for:
• Reimbursement to help fund-related expenses, including computer hardware and software.
• Notification of and priority for sought-after training, offered both nationally and in Wisconsin.
• Investigative assistance from trained investigators and forensic computer analysts throughout the state.
• Access to the national ICAC email group.
To learn more about the ICAC Task Force program at the Green County Sheriff's Department, contact Lt. Rodney Hicks at 608-328-9616.