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Saturday, February 27, 2016

Delaware State Police Use of Cell Site Simulators

The Delaware State Police does possess a cell site simulator that is designed to allow our Troopers to locate a lawfully targeted cellphone. The tool is used in felonious cases or life threatening events, to include the location of missing persons who are in harm’s way. The cell site simulator is an effective tool in keeping the citizens of Delaware safe. Unfortunately, there are widely held misconceptions about the usage of cell site simulators.

In the case of cell site simulators, numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have determined that the public release of technical details, applications, and operational procedures would create a significant detriment to the protection of their communities by providing criminal elements with the ability to circumvent the devices. Law enforcement agencies must always balance the desire to provide the public with full disclosure on the details of sensitive investigative and protective techniques versus the substantial risk that such knowledge would allow criminals to avoid detection and cause serious harm to law enforcement personnel and members of the community. 

In an effort to address common concerns, while also keeping the cell site simulator as a relevant tool, the Delaware State Police is providing the following facts on the utilization of the device:

Since the inception of the utilization of this tool, the Delaware State Police has always sought legal authority, from the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, signed by a Superior Court Judge before the cell site simulator can be operated by an investigator of the Delaware State Police.

Incidents involving an emergency circumstance to render aid, such as a kidnapping, report of a missing child, or evidence of a criminal act that could lead to imminent death or infliction of serious bodily injury are the exceptions to the requirement for immediately obtaining judicial permission prior to operation of the device. In these cases, efforts are simultaneously sought to secure judicial permission. 

The cell site simulator possessed by the Delaware State Police does not retain third-party cellphone information. The device cannot identify the operator of a cellphone, nor can it intercept the content of calls, texts or photographs. Additionally, the cell site simulator cannot obtain any internet based data such as emails, instant messages, social media, or obtain any personal subscriber information, cellular telephone numbers, billing information, or any other form of personal information of any user of a cellular device.

The Delaware State Police is committed to protecting the right to privacy of the citizens we serve. We are also committed to protecting the civil rights and civil liberties that are guaranteed by the United States Constitution. It is our hope that this increased visibility about the use of a cell site simulator by the Delaware State Police will alleviate any concern regarding the use of this technology. The Delaware State Police is committed to using this device in a manner that embraces the utmost respect for citizens’ privacy and in a manner that is lawful and responsible.

The mission of the Delaware State Police is to enhance the quality of life for all Delaware citizens and visitors by providing professional, competent and compassionate law enforcement services.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Again if your not breaking the law or hiding something why are you so paranoid

Anonymous said...

So this device can only do what Verizon has been doing for the police with a court order except now they have circumvented verizon and the court order (if issued) does not see anyone? Paranoia is what kept cave men alive honey.

lmclain said...

I suppose you think Jefferson and Madison were paranoid, too?
You are waaaaaay too quick to surrender everyone else's, aren't you??
You are certainly missing the point.
It's VERY hard to justify wiretapping THOUSANDS of people to see IF --- IF! --- you might catch one bad guy, at least, that is, if you've read the Constitution. Instead of "Mein Kamph".
Our "leaders" could really stop a LOT of crime, if they could only do random house searches (yes!!), or if they could wait for you to go on vacation and search your house (oh wait. they can already do that one...WITHOUT a warrant. Sorry.). How many of you would be okay with that? Right. Okay as long as it was done to someone else and not YOU.
How about a camera and mic in your living/dining room? THAT would stop a lot of "conspiring" and crime, too. If we only had one in the house of the San Bernardino killers, huh? If you don't start acting like there is a LINE they cannot cross, no matter how scary the scenario they present, there won't BE a line.
Make sure to get your tickets to the "Crystal Night" party coming soon to our town. What's "Crystal Night", you say?
A short way of saying "those who fail to heed history are doomed to repeat it".
Keep cheering!

Anonymous said...

Afain do you really think your that important or have that much going on in your life that they really are interested in your info?

Anonymous said...

Good for them I say give them any and all technology available to get all the scum off the streets and in doing they might even prevent another Muslim martyr opening fire on innocent people. Cry if they don't prevent it and cry if they actually do something to prevent tragedy as you sit back blogging and bitching about all that's wrong

Anonymous said...

That lines been crossed years ago your just too naive to think this is a new phenomenon.

Anonymous said...

I'm willing to bet Salisbury pd has a sting ray as well.

Anonymous said...

The only good thing that I see from this is that now we know for sure they have one and use it.