A Comprehensive approach to Firearm Investigations
Our Story
In 2007 our Team observed an increase of firearn cases not being filed or prosecuted in court, prior attempts to improve the collection of firearm recoveries by uniform officers resulted in very limited progress. My partner MIke Antonelli, who was shot in the face while on duty, became aggravated, along with the rest of the team. While having a heated discusion on how to help change the mind set so officers would understand why we needed to do better with firearm investigations. We decided to have several officers that were shot in the line of duty, as well as briefing in line of duty deaths, discussing the suspects that shot them and how they had previous cases dismissed by the lack of evidence.The solution was the Save A Cop Firearm Liaison Program. We reached out to all of the potential stakeholders involved with the investigation or prosecution of a firearm related cases. We then took the information collected from these stakeholders, developing a strong strategy for prosecuting which included new procedures being developed throughout the IMPD, Marion County Prosecutors Office, and the Indianapolis Marion County Forensic Crime Lab, to maximize the potential of the Save A Cop program. We accomplish this by minimizing the duplication of efforts in firearm investigations while implementing a process that completed more of the investigation in the field. Over a 10 year period this program was continually adjusted and perfected to establish a nationally recognized program. This effort continued into the NIBIN program changing it from a model was not working to one of the more successful programs in the nation. We dedicate this program in memory of all law enforcement officers killed, as well as those shot in the line of duty. We continue to strive to protect our offcers and citizens from those who wish to illegal posses and commit crimes with firearms.
Our Services
Save A Cop Consulting LLC and R&D Solutions LLC offer a variety of services including Save A Cop Firearm Liaison Training, Applying Firearm Investigations to Narcotics Investigations, Applying Firearm Investigations to Domestic Investigations, Streamlining the overall firearm investigations process in a Law Enforcement Community to minimize duplication, as well as maximize existing resources, including manpower. We have developed policies and memorandums of understanding for Law Enforcement Communities to combine resources, while working as a team to combat firearm related crime on the state and federal level. Taking you to the next level to be successful in developing educational programs to help aid in all types of investigations involving firearms, from Theft to Homicide.
Save A Cop Firearm Liaison Program
Save A Cop Consulting has teamed up with the Indiana Drug Enforcement Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The SAC Firearm Liaison Program is unique to the law enforcement community it serves. Each geographical area and municipality may differ in their needs, abilities, and resources causing potential for changes in the implementation of this program. The most critical suggestion is to be able to access the region, law enforcement organizations, and crime lab dedicated to that area. This helps with determining any issues that they are aware of and understanding what techniques and procedures are in place. We can then capitalize off the resources in place minimizing change as much as possible as we initiate the program. For it to be a sustainable program it needs this type of infrastructure to support it. By having a solid knowledge of how the program affects each stakeholder I have been able to reduce duplication, confusion, frustration, costs, and implementation time.
The training of the SAC Firearm Liaison consists of a minimum of two days. The topics covered will include, triaging scenes, state firearm law, federal firearm law, collection and packaging of evidence, photography and documentation of firearm investigations, processing evidence for potential DNA and latent prints, Interviews, and interrogations.
This process and program is accepted by the United States Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Indiana, courts in the state of Indiana, and by numerous county Prosecutors in Indiana. This process of the program has received the following awards: ATF The Jake Kuredjian Memorial Award, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives Lloyd Sealy Award, read into Congress as “promising practices” in 2019 for firearm investigations, recognized by the Department of Justice, as well as other local awards.