ICE Tip Line Center honored by Vermont Federal Executive Association
On Friday, May 8, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Tip Line Center received the 2015 Law Enforcement, Safety and Security – Group award at the Government Awards Ceremony in Colchester, Vermont. The ceremony, which was hosted by the Vermont Federal Executive Association, honored the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees.
“It made me feel very proud to have our team recognized,” said John Canfield, HSI Tip Line Unit Chief. “Every law enforcement agency was represented at the awards and several dignitaries were in attendance. It was a great day for our agency.”
In 2014 and through the first three months of 2015, HSI made nearly 500 arrests based on Tip Line reports and over 1,000 new cases were opened. In the past 18 months, Tip Line has seized more than $28 million as a result of reports. It was because of that great work that Tip Line was honored in front of more than 140 guests.
Since its creation, Tip Line has undergone various changes to improve its standing operating procedures. The primary change shifted the focus to the quality rather than quantity of calls Tip Line received. Canfield and his staff wanted improve to interview tactics in order to maximize the information received from tipsters.
“When we receive calls, often times the callers know more than they think they do, so we have to guide them,” Canfield said. “When our staff gets a good call, we want them to take their time and stay with that. Take good notes, write a good report and get it to the field.”
Despite having a staff on only 36 employees, HSI Tip Line provides individuals across the world with a way to report suspicious criminal activity. It was created to collect information that could aid ICE HSI agents. With Tip Line’s receiving this honor, it reinforces the staff’s commitment to supporting investigations targeting sex offenders, especially child predators.
“In my 34 years in law enforcement, I have been very fortunate to work with many caring and dedicated people,” Canfield said. “I was a little worried coming to Tip Line 18 months ago, but was pleasantly surprised and have to say the dedicated people I work with at Tip Line match up evenly with agents I have worked with anywhere in the world.”
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
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