Dear Representatives Schultz and Moran,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 9641, the “Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats (PROTECT) Our Children Act.”
Trafficking in child pornography generates billions of dollars every year for criminals—profits made possible by those who consume these illegal images and videos. This bill would reauthorize the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force program for three years. This national network of coordinated task forces, representing over 5,400 Federal, State, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, are dedicated to combating child pornography by investigating crimes, conducting forensic analysis, and providing technical assistance and training. In Fiscal Year 2023, these ICAC task forces conducted over 180,000 investigations, which resulted in the arrest of almost 11,000 individuals.
Reauthorizing this program will enable these investigations and prosecutions to continue and will have a significant impact on our efforts to combat trafficking in child pornography. In addition, the bill makes several statutory additions and changes that would update and modernize the program.
On behalf of the more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you both for your leadership on this issue. If I can be of any help or provide additional information in support of this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President