More often the sentiment is that Government agencies are stagnant, resistant to change and unwilling to go the extra mile than to be worthy of praise for their innovation. However, with its creation of the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) the Office of Prosecution Services was recognized this week as the 2012 State/Regional award winner for outstanding digital government innovation by Auburn University at Montgomery. The Innovative Government Award selects recipients each year for their use of new and innovative methods to help state, county, and municipal government agencies in Alabama reach new levels of efficiency and responsiveness.  The NCFI is a unique state of the art facility created to train law enforcement, prosecutors and judges in the intricacies of digital evidence and computer crime issues. The center was created by the Office of Prosecution Services with financial assistance from the Alabama Congressional Delegation and partnerships with the US Secret Service, the State of Alabama, Alabama District Attorneys Association and the Alabama Securities Commission. Upon notification of the award, Randy Hillman, director of the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services stated “we are honored to accept this award on behalf of Alabama’s prosecutors. The NCFI is a testament to federal, state and local collaboration and is a tremendous tool that allows our law enforcement to close the technology gap by training them to protect our citizens from cybercrime at all levels.” Chris McCool, President of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, who accepted the award on behalf of Hillman, said “I’m very proud to be a part of an organization that is committed to innovative and progressive solutions to fighting crime.”

The NCFI is located in Hoover, Alabama and since 2008 has trained over 1500 state and local judges, prosecutors and law enforcement from all 50 states.  Students’ tuition, lodging and expenses are provided by the US Department of Homeland Security. The economic impact has been estimated at over $10 million dollars for the state of Alabama.

For Media Inquiries about the NCFI, contact:

Randy Hillman
Director
Alabama Office of Prosecution Services
334.242.4191