Mesa Police Forensic Services Wins Prestigious International
Award
November 28, 2011
In October 2008, the Mesa Police Department opened it's new
state-of-the-art forensics services lab. On October 24, 2011,
the Mesa PD Forensic Services Section was awarded the August
Vollmer Excellence In Forensic Science Award for the category of
Enhancement of Forensic Capability by a Forensic Science
Provider. The award was given at the most recent International
Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference in
Chicago, Illinois. The goal from has always been to provide the
highest level of forensic work. This award recognizes that body
of work and the department members who do the analysis.
“The Mesa Police Department is very proud to receive this
distinguished award and very appreciative of the national
recognition for excellence in Forensic Science, stated Deputy
Chief Michael Dvorak. To be selected for such an award,
considering all of the exceptional work being done throughout
the country in Forensic Science, speaks volumes for the
dedicated personnel that collaborated to make this program a
success.â€
Nationwide there has been a disconnect between confirmed
forensic information identifying suspects and tying that
descriptive information back to the cases. In simple terms, once
there was identification there was no system in place to ensure
that suspects were located based on the information. Since 2009
the rate of follow up has gone from 60% to nearly 100% under the
new system. At the beginning of this process, the number of
cases requiring initial hit follow-up was approximately 2500
cases. In March 2011that list of cases requiring follow-up has
been reduced to only 9 cases. This means that those who are
identified through forensics are now brought to justice for
their crimes. For the community it means that there are fewer
criminals on the streets.
The August Vollmer award honors the name of August Vollmer and
his contributions to forensic science and law enforcement. The
Mesa Police Department's Forensic Services Section was
recognized for their outstanding achievements on behalf of the
law enforcement profession and the community we serve.