To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOFFMAN, POLICE CHIEF
TITLE
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APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) AND MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS (HSI) TO ASSIGN A POLICE DETECTIVE TO THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HIGH INTENSITY FINANCIAL CRIMES AREA (HIFCA) - EL CAMINO REAL (ECR) FINANCIAL CRIMES TASK FORCE - FOR THE TERM JUNE 10, 2025 UNTIL TERMINATED BY EITHER PARTY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approval of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will allow a City of Redondo Beach Police Department Detective to be assigned to the El Camino Real (ECR) financial crimes task force as an officer with access to extensive resources that will enhance the capability of the Police Department to address local financial crimes. Participation also provides for the reimbursement of certain costs associated with the position.
BACKGROUND
The evolution of crime requires a continual evaluation of both the application of City resources as well as an assessment of the Department’s internal capabilities. Over the past 25-years, criminal activity has shifted, with financial crimes becoming more prevalent and damaging due to technological advancements. For example, between 1999 and 2023, FBI statistics show a steep decline in bank robberies - from 8,193 incidents to just 1,362. In contrast, in 2023, the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Sentinel Network received 5.4 million consumer reports of fraud, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported in 2024 that fraud represented the bulk of reported losses.
Redondo Beach is not immune from these trends. From May 2023 to May 2025, there have been more than 720 people and businesses in Redondo Beach defrauded for over $4.9 million. The methods used to commit these crimes often involve sophisticated cyber scams, suspects located in different countries, and the use of cryptocurrency, which make identifying suspects and solving these crimes difficult without enhanced investigative capabilities.
Using a model pioneered by the El Dorado Task Force to combat transnational money laundering, the El Camino Real (ECR) Financial Crimes Task Force is comprised of Southern California High Intensity Financial Crimes Area (HIFCA) sponsored law enforcement agencies, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California (USAO) and the California Department of Justice. In addition to Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) agents, ECR employs two financial analysts and a certified public accountant to provide the technical capability to support investigations. ECR also provides access to federal databases and tools that are outside the reach of even the most advanced local law enforcement agencies.
In addition to the enhanced investigative capabilities, agencies who participate in ECR may receive a portion of forfeited proceeds seized during investigations through the Department of Justice’s equitable sharing program. Participating agencies may also request reimbursement for overtime salary, travel, fuel, training, equipment, and other similar costs up to $15,000 per federal fiscal year.
Staff recommends the Council approve the proposed MOA/MOU to ensure that the Police Department can address emerging crime trends impacting our community through participation in the ECR Financial Crimes task force.
COORDINATION
The MOU and MOA were approved as to form, but not content, by the City Attorney’s Office as they are derived from HSI prepared templates.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - MOA with Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles
• Agmt - MOU with Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles