On July 26–28, SEARCH Members, Staff, and stakeholders from federal, state and local agencies and national organizations met in Houston, Texas, for SEARCH’s 2016 Annual Membership Group Meeting. The agenda covered a range of technical, operational and policy issues affecting justice information sharing and criminal history record management.
The evening of July 26, Members, Staff, and Guests took a break to enjoy a reception at the Royal Sonesta Houston to recognize recipients of SEARCH’s annual awards:
- the O.J. Hawkins Award, a practitioner honor that went to national criminal history record authority Owen Greenspan, SEARCH Law and Policy Director (ret.), and
- the Cooper Meritorious Service Award, a Membership honor that went to Mr. Curtis Wood, Undersecretary for Forensic Science and Technology in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who was recognized for being a champion of public safety information sharing.
In addition, the SEARCH Chair recognized a number of SEARCH Members and Staff earlier in the day for years of service achieved in 2016.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard presents the flag and leads the Pledge of Allegiance on the opening day of the 2016 SEARCH Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
During a break, SEARCH Justice Information Services Specialist Dennis DeBacco chats with Gerard Ramker, Deputy Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice.
SEARCH Government Affairs Manager Melissa Nee provides an overview of recent legislative activities of Congress. Listening on the dais are (from left) SEARCH Chair Brad Truitt, Vice Chair Joseph Morrissey, and Executive Director Scott Came.
SEARCH Members and Alternates listen to the proceedings on Day One of the Annual Meeting. They are (from left) David Steingraber, At Large; Kathryn Monfreda, Alaska; Jennifer Sablan, Hawaii-alternate; Becky Miner, Washington-alternate; Major Brandon Gray, New Jersey; Wyatt Pettengill, North Carolina, Matthew Ruel, Maine; Renee Rigby, Delaware; Major Jennie Temple, South Carolina; Jason Bright, Montana-alternate; Dawn Peck, Idaho; and Tony Loth, Nebraska-alternate.
SEARCH Vice Chair Joseph Morrissey leads a roundtable session, in which SEARCH Members present issues and discuss topics of interest.
Tim Lott, SEARCH Director of High-Tech Crime Training Services, listens to a speaker and takes notes.
SEARCH Members Jay Winters (Arkansas) and Bryan Rizzi (Oklahoma) enjoy an evening reception prior to the annual awards dinner.
SEARCH Members and guests, including Virginia Member Capt. Tom Turner (center) attend the 2016 annual awards dinner.
Following the 2016 Annual Meeting awards ceremony, SEARCH Chair Brad Truitt (left) poses with Mr. Curt Wood, Mr. Owen Greenspan, and SEARCH Executive Director Scott Came.
SEARCH Massachusetts Member Curt Wood thanks the Board of Directors and fellow Members for his award.
Mr. Owen Greenspan, a retired SEARCH Law and Policy Director and former SEARCH Member and Vice Chair, acknowledges the audience after receiving his award.
SEARCH Law and Policy Director Becki Goggins provides an update of the activities of the Uniform Law Commission’s Criminal Records Accuracy Committee on Day Two of the Annual Meeting.
Matthew Ruel, SEARCH Member from Maine and Chair of the Open Justice Broker Consortium (OJBC), provides an update of the consortium’s activities and accomplishments.
SEARCH Member Katie Bower (right) (Michigan-alternate), discusses her state’s experience as an OJBC member jurisdiction. Listening (from left) are Kristi Waits (Vermont-alternate) and Dan Foro (At Large).
Bob Wessels accepts an award from Chair Brad Truitt recognizing his 15 years of service as a SEARCH At-Large Member.
Idaho Member Dawn Peck accepts an award from Chair Brad Truitt recognizing her 10 years of service to the SEARCH Membership.
Pennsylvania Member Robert Merwine accepts a plaque from Chair Brad Truitt marking his 5 years of service to the SEARCH Membership.
Executive Director Scott Came accepts an award from Chair Brad Truitt for his 10 years of service as SEARCH staff.
Information Sharing Programs Director Andrew Owen accepts an award from Chair Brad Truitt for his 10 years of service as SEARCH staff.
SEARCH staff and Federal officials discuss trends in backgrounding for firearms purchases. Speaking (from right) are Joy L. Jarrett, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division; Tanarra James, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Becki Goggins, SEARCH.