Fergie's Tech Blog

Shift of FBI Focus Puts Hurt on Policing of Cyber Crime

Paul Shukovsky writes in The Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

A continuing shift of FBI agents to counterterrorism units has saddled police chiefs in the Puget Sound region with new crime-fighting responsibilities they're ill-equipped to handle.

And some criminals aren't getting caught and prosecuted as a result, the chiefs told Sen. Patty Murray on Wednesday.

Hoping to counter a post- 9/11 trend, law enforcement officials called for an increase in the number of FBI agents assigned to Washington to help handle complex cases, such as fraud, identity theft, cybercrime and interstate or international crime.

More here.

Note: As someone is deeply engaged in combating Cyber Crime, I see that this has indeed become an issue for concern. We're seeing the "most major" Cyber Crime issues fall completely through the cracks, going completely ignored by law enforcement. This is -- in my opinion -- a major, major oversight. - ferg

posted by Fergie @ 1/16/2008 09:42:00 PM