OPINION: Why We Need FBI-Led Task Forces | Denver Gazette

In law enforcement, our most fundamental duty is to ensure that every individual can live a life free from fear. This mission is more challenging than ever, given the rapidly evolving and complex nature of today’s threats.

When I meet with community members, elected officials, faith groups, and private sector leaders across Colorado, many are surprised by the depth of our behind-the-scenes efforts to keep people safe. I’m often asked how we do that, given the lack of resources and the exponential increase in threats to our state and nation. Our secret: We value partnerships and rely heavily on FBI-led task forces — multi-agency teams that leverage their collective powers and expertise to maximize impact.

FBI agents and analysts work closely with law enforcement personnel from local, state, and federal agencies every day. These task force officers, or TFOs as we call them, are essential to our mission of protecting Colorado residents. The FBI has more than 6,000 TFOs nationwide from hundreds of agencies, serving on more than 750 task forces covering a wide range of national security and criminal threats. Last year alone, FBI violent crime task forces arrested more than 20,000 violent criminals and child molesters — an average of 55 arrests per day, every day.

These task forces provide a substantial return on investment, resulting in improved public safety in their own jurisdictions and in neighboring communities.

In Colorado, the FBI has 15 task forces with 94 TFOs from 31 state and federal agencies. These TFOs have the same security clearances as FBI agents, allowing for seamless collaboration and access to shared resources. This close collaboration fosters effective teamwork and increases our overall impact.

Denver, for example, has historically had a high rate of bank robberies. Suspects charged at the state level are often released on bail and continue to reoffend, endangering both the public and law enforcement. The FBI Denver Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, a 13-agency team, is tackling this problem by connecting the dots between seemingly unrelated robberies and using federal law to stop repeat offenders. The task force recently arrested three men responsible for 11 bank robberies in five jurisdictions. In another case, they identified a repeat offender who violently robbed three banks while under surveillance for a firearms charge. As a result of our investigation, that individual is serving 17 years in federal prison. Federal prosecutions like these reduce recidivism and have led to a 68 percent decrease in violent bank robberies in metro Denver over the past year.

In another case, an Evergreen man is serving a sentence in a federal prison after making online threats of mass violence, acquiring explosives, and shooting up multiple public locations. Quick action by our Joint Terrorism Task Force averted a potential disaster.

In partnership with the Denver District Attorney’s Office, our Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Task Force built a case against a prolific child sex trafficker who had evaded accountability for his horrific acts since the 1990s. The perpetrator was recently sentenced to 448 years in prison, and countless children have been spared from further abuse as a direct result of our multidisciplinary approach.

Our newest initiative, the Violent Criminal Enterprise Task Force, targets gangs involved in violent crimes such as homicides, carjackings, and drug trafficking. Using an intelligence-driven approach, we coordinate enforcement efforts between partner agencies to create a cascading effect. This model has resulted in the arrest of 17 individuals involved in gang activity and the resolution of several homicides and non-fatal shootings.

Federal task forces provide departments of all sizes with access to advanced technology, advanced training, and additional investigative support to proactively address the drivers of violence in our communities. This support allows departments with limited resources to focus on community relations, solving cold cases, and addressing immediate needs.

Whether responding to a mass shooting, providing forensic support for statewide casework, or dismantling criminal enterprises, FBI task forces broaden their resources to address the most persistent crime problems. Police chiefs and sheriffs serve their constituents well by assigning TFOs to federal task forces. In doing so, agencies overcome budget and capacity constraints by accessing federal expertise and specialized tools to improve community safety.

Our partnerships are our greatest asset. Together, we make Colorado communities stronger and safer.

Mark Michalek is the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Denver Field Office. He is also a graduate of the Air Force Academy.

Mark Michalek is the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Denver Field Office. He is also a graduate of the Air Force Academy.