NCIC is always frustrating to me. I can't tell you how many times I've had clients tell me that thier felony skip has been entered into it, only to find out that they aren't, or the pick up code is restricted to local areas.
I recently invested app. 15 hrs (10 of that driving, 5 hrs each way) into an attempted apprehension for a felony skip from up north. My client had assured me the skip was in NCIC, and all I had to do was turn him into the local jail for a LEO extradition back up north.
So my partner and I arrive at the local PD, do our check in, explain everything, they run our skip to verify what I am telling them, only to discover that the pick up code enterd into NCIC was restricted to "Surrounding states" only...which of course Alabama isn't one of those. The PD Investigator even called the northern PD to verify the NCIC information, becaue the local PD knows exactly where my skip is. He has been a guest of thiers several times.
The Northern PD checked with thier DA's office and was told that they wouldn't extradite from Alabama ! This guy is wanted for felony armed robbery !
So we thanked the local PD for all of thier help, they advised us to call them if we could get the pick up code changed, and we left. Then we called the client and advised them of the new developments.
Now, we have re-negotiated the terms of the contract and we will return later this week to actually apprehend the guy, but it's just repetitive action when we were so close !
Sometimes I think the CJ system is its own worst enemy. the lesson here is to please verify that any entries into NCIC are for nationwide extradition. It makes our jobs a whole lot easier.
The other thing here is that if we had not done our leo check in, apprehended the guy, tried to turn him into the jail and was refused, then we would have been stuck with this fugitive, with no time to extradite as we both had our regular jobs to get back to.
Needless to say it was a very frustrating and expensive day.
_________________ River City Associates Decatur, Al. 35601
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