Arlington Police Chief Alexander Jones was honored at the Chiefs of Police Executive Forum on Crime Guns, held in Washington, D.C., for his department's innovative approach to reducing gun violence in the community. The event, hosted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), brought together law enforcement agencies from across the nation to discuss strategies and initiatives to combat the issue of crime guns.
Chief Jones, who has been leading the Arlington Police Department (APD) since November 2020, attended the forum accompanied by his team. The APD, known for its dedication to maintaining law and order in the region, is recognized as the 46th largest law enforcement agency in the country, boasting nearly 900 sworn officers and professional staff members.
During the forum, ATF Director Steven Dettelbach presented Chief Jones and the APD with the prestigious Crime Gun Intelligence Award. The award acknowledged the department's exceptional efforts in the field of gun violence reduction, specifically highlighting their groundbreaking NIBIN Engagement Team (NET).
NET, an acronym for NIBIN Engagement Team, employs an intelligence-driven approach to combat gun violence in Arlington and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region. The team assists detectives in identifying investigative priorities, developing informants, and connecting gun-related incidents. By doing so, they play a crucial role in disrupting and dismantling gun violence in the community.
Out of numerous law enforcement agencies across the country, only six were selected to receive the Crime Gun Intelligence Award, making the recognition all the more significant. The acknowledgment not only highlights the dedication and hard work of Chief Jones and the APD but also acknowledges the importance of their efforts in addressing the urgent issue of gun violence.
Chief Jones expressed his gratitude to the ATF for their support and for taking the time to recognize the outstanding work carried out by the APD employees. The award serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of the NET and their significant impact on reducing gun-related crimes in Arlington.