From the Executive Director:
We're instituting a feature on our SEARCH Web site to showcase the remarkable people who participate in the SEARCH Membership Group. We intend to profile one of our Members each month to share with others their background and expertise, their thoughts about SEARCH and the justice community environment that SEARCH is involved in.
We're delighted to present our third profile and interview with Gary K. Cooper, a valuable long-time participant in our organization.
- Ronald P. Hawley
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Get to know the SEARCH Membership better! Read our SEARCH Member Q & A. New profiles are posted about every month to six weeks.
Major Accomplishments
- Development and implementation of the Cal-ID System, which became one of the first ever automated fingerprint systems with a remote access network. The system allows a state agency to pick up a print at a crime scene, search the database, and identify the subject locally.
- The Cal-Photo System, which enables law enforcement officials to have a fast and efficient means of visual identification of subjects, critical to preserving and enhancing the safety of the public and law enforcement community. In 2001, the California Executive Institute of Technology honored Cal-Photo with the "Outstanding Systems Award," and in 2002, the Center for Digital Government recognized Cal-Photo as one of the "Best In-House Developed Applications" statewide.
- The California Automated Palm Print System (CAPPS), a system that enables law enforcement to submit palm impressions as part of the arrest process and in response to the reporting requirements associated with Proposition 69. This program was honored in 2004 as "Best Application Serving the Public."
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Q: What professional success are you proudest of?
A: I'm proudest of the deployment of the Cal-ID System, which has evolved into a national model for criminal justice data transmission and storage.
Q: What changes would you like to see happen regarding information sharing within the justice and public safety community in the next 5-10 years?
A: Better partnerships between law enforcement, district attorneys and the courts, creating consistency in protocol for exchanging information with compatibility in systems between these agencies.
Q: What are the biggest challenges?
A: One of the biggest challenges is to break down the barriers within and between organizations, so people will look beyond their departments or agencies for the better good of law enforcement and the public.
Q: What is SEARCH's value as an organization and how has your state or agency benefited from its participation in the National Consortium?
A: Training in law enforcement issues is excellent. SEARCH continues to be at the forefront of issues impacting criminal justice, and gets the right people to the table to discuss the critical issues of the day.
SEARCH has earned the respect of local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies and is looked at to facilitate and lead discussions.
Q: What is your favorite SEARCH memory?
A: One of my favorite memories is recognition of Bud Hawkins and his contributions to law enforcement for over 60 years, by giving out awards and giving him credit where credit is most definitely due. (Editor: O.J. "Bud" Hawkins was the Chairman of Project SEARCH and SEARCH's first Executive Director. See related story.)
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Golf and bike riding.
Q: What is the best advice you ever received?
A: One of my mentors told me to expand my thinking and look beyond my own area of responsibility to try to see the big picture.
Q: What is your favorite motto?
A: Perception is reality!
Past Member Profiles
Dawn Peck
Paul Heppner
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