Page 15 - index

The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, (IAATI) is continuing to
grow while remaining the premier organization dealing with local, national and
transnational vehicle crime investigations. We, however, must widen our
investigative scope to remain relevant in today’s environment. IAATI investigators,
detectives and specialists have always considered themselves experts in Vehicle
Crimes Specialist while neglecting to acknowledge their expertise in crimes
generally associated with motor vehicle theft. Rarely is a motor vehicle stolen that
is not connected to other crimes such as robbery, theft, identity theft, narcotics,
burglary, murder, sexual assaults and a myriad of other crimes. As a trained
investigator you have the necessary skills to follow up on all the leads associated
with the actual theft but your ability to investigate the secondary crimes
associated with the theft will demonstrate to your command staff, citizens and
politicians that motor vehicle theft is not just a property crime.

IAATI has recognized a need for an accepted method and standard of evaluating
the qualifications of individuals who are conducting vehicle crimes investigations.
Vehicle Crime Investigators, Detectives and Specialist who testify in court as
“Experts” have an equal need and interest in establishing their credentials.
Certified Vehicle Crime Specialist Certification Program Objectives:

• Recognize qualified Vehicle Crime Specialist
• Serve as an International Registry for identifying qualified investigators and specialist
• Promote excellence in training, education and conducting vehicle crime investigations
• Provide a system by which equally qualified investigators will have an immediate
acceptance as “Experts.”

The Education, Training and Certification Committee is working diligently to
complete the certification program and making it available to its members. We
are preparing to complete the test validation and building a digital platform with
NICB, where members will have not only access to the certification program and
testing, but to other valuable training. We expect to have the certification
program going live by June 1, 2020.

15