Michigan State University’s School of Criminal Justice in East Lansing will be working with law enforcement partners across the state to create a full-service training center with the goal of ensuring law enforcement is prepared for the increasing threat of cybercrimes.
The Cybercrimes Investigations and Training Center housed within MSU’s School of Criminal Justice will provide information and resources to local police departments across the state to assist with cybercrime investigations and responses.
The center will offer free multiday training for all levels of staff in criminal justice agencies, and will focus on contemporary problems, offender and victim characteristics, investigative methods, and forms of community support.
Thomas Holt, professor and director of master’s degree programs for the School of Criminal Justice in MSU’s College of Social Science is spearheading the project. The $1 million grant is through community project funding from the 2024 fiscal year budget.
“Cybercrime is a massive problem and one that police agencies need regular training on in order to effectively investigate and provide assistance to victims,” says Holt. “Colleagues and I have studied police responses to cybercrime and recognize that increasing awareness of the offenses can improve their overall agency’s capacity.
“Technology is constantly changing, and offenders are always adapting to these changes. By giving police and criminal justice professionals the most up-to-date information on offenses, victims, and offenders, they will be better equipped to aid their communities.”
In the last two decades, cybercrimes have dramatically increased and, as a result, there is high demand for law enforcement to be best equipped to respond and investigate. As law enforcement has local, state, and federal authorities, local agencies must partner and collaborate when carrying out these specialized investigations.
Michigan is home to 588 law enforcement agencies, employing about 17,000 officers. If agencies are not already responding to cybercrime threats, it is important officers introduce the training as soon as possible, says Holt.
The effects of these crimes can financially and economically affect individuals, as well as businesses and government agencies. Additionally, victims can experience emotional and psychological crimes from personal threats and hacking.
The training will be designed in a way that is compliant and eligible for credit through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and available to all officers, staff, and command with agencies.
The center plans to roll out training beginning in August, with initial offerings available in East Lansing, then to local agencies across the state. Center funding is earmarked to cover all expenses for participants, which was important in ensuring maximum participation in trainings.
“Our focus will be on offering training to line officers initially to inform them of common characteristics of various offenses, what devices may be involved and where evidence may be stored, as well as characteristics of victims so as to provide a more informed approach when responding to calls for service,” says Holt.
The training will not only benefit law enforcement by improving skills and resources, but also citizens, businesses, and government agencies, offering more investigations and improving digital safety. The center also will use specific metrics for measuring success, such as the increase in investigations, prosecutions, and the general use of its services.
