POLICE PRACTICES: CHP'S HAZARDOUS WASTE INVESTIGATIVE UNIT The amount of hazardous waste generated in this country changed dramatically with the industrial growth that followed World War II. For example, by the end of the war, U.S. industries generated roughly 500,000 metric tons of hazardous waste per year. (1) The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Solid Waste now reports that the amount of hazardous waste generated has soared to approximately 300 million metric tons per year. As the volume of hazardous waste production increased, the public became more aware of the dangers of improperly managed hazardous waste. Congress responded to this problem with strong legislation to protect both the environment and public health, and cities and States enacted strict pollution control laws to prohibit the illegal disposal of hazardous and toxic wastes. These pollution control laws impact on corporations, which must bear the financial burden of proper waste disposal. As a result, to reduce operating costs, some corporations dispose of hazardous and toxic waste illegally. In order to avoid detection and prosecution, these corporations have, over the years, become more sophisticated in the illegal methods by which they dispose of their hazardous waste. To combat this growing problem, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) established a Hazardous Waste Investigations Unit. A SPECIALIZED UNIT The CHP, as a State agency, has jurisdiction throughout the entire State. And, because hazardous waste cases require closely coordinated multijurisdictional investigations, the CHP is the primary investigative agency for these crimes within California. The purpose of the Hazardous Waste Investigative Unit is to reduce the number of violations involving the transportation and disposal of hazardous waste within the State. There are 10 hazardous waste investigators located in CHP divisions throughout the State. These investigators: * Investigate and seek prosecution of those who illegally transport and dispose of hazardous waste * Reduce the amount of illegally transported hazardous waste through public awareness programs and industry contact * Assist patrol officers in cases that involve the transportation or disposal of hazardous waste * Train personnel of both CHP and other agencies concerning hazardous waste * Coordinate investigations with other agencies * Participate in local task forces The Hazardous Waste Unit investigators receive information concerning illegal waste disposal from a variety of sources, including informants, disgruntled employees, competitors, other State agencies, and field officers. Information received through these various channels has allowed the CHP to enact an innovative approach to the problem. A PROACTIVE APPROACH In 1989, investigators of the Los Angeles County Environmental Strike Force and the CHP Hazardous Waste Unit tried a proactive approach to investigate illegal transporters of hazardous waste. The technique targets individual companies that are suspected of illegal activity in hazardous waste transportation and disposal. A surveillance team focused on a particular hazardous waste disposal company that was licensed in California. There had been several complaints from companies that generate hazardous waste about the manner in which this transporter handled or transported waste from its facilities. A truck from the company was kept under surveillance from the early morning hours until the end of the day. Within 2 days, investigators witnessed several violations committed by the transporter, including felony transportation and disposal. During the surveillance, another company was also observed transporting and disposing of wastes illegally. This surveillance resulted in several Federal and State charges being filed, and in addition, opened a new door concerning the illegal transportation of hazardous wastes to Mexico. The CHP, the EPA, and the FBI are continuing to focus on the illegal transportation of hazardous wastes into Mexico, and they have formed a liaison with the EPA's Mexican counterpart. CONCLUSION The California Highway Patrol is emerging as a forerunner of investigations concerning the illegal transportation of hazardous waste throughout the State. Since its inception, the Hazardous Waste Investigations Unit has investigated or taken part in over 250 cases several of which have resulted in felony charges. At the present time, the unit has a 100% conviction rate on cases that have been filed through the District Attorney's office. In addition, since 1985, the CHP has been reimbursed over $40,000 for investigative services performed, not including fines entitled to the State. The illegal disposal and transportation of hazardous waste is a growing concern for both the public and law enforcement. The CHP's Hazardous Waste Investigations Unit is an innovative approach to this problem one that other departments may want to incorporate into their operations. FOOTNOTE (1) U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste, RCRA Orientation Manual, January 1986, doc. no. WH562, Washington, D.C., 1986, pp 1-3. --------------- For more information on Hazardous Waste Investigative Units, contact Sgt. Lance Erickson, Department of California Highway Patrol, Southern Environmental Crimes Unit, 437 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90004, 1-212-664-0695.  Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253