ALERT to double size of ICE unit

Record number of exploitation cases added amid pandemic

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) is planning to double the size of its child exploitation unit as it continues to see a record numbers of related cases.

The agency's Internet and Child Exploitation (ICE) team handled 2,136 case intakes in 2020-21, up 40 per cent from the 1,555 it received in 2019-20. That trend has continued into the new year, with the team placing 60 charges relating to sexual exploitation of children online against 24 people between Jan. 1 and March 31, a news release said Tuesday.

“This is a concerning consequence of our digital dependency during the pandemic. ALERT has responded by directing more tools and resources to our ICE units and we are prepared to travel to every corner of the province in order to stop child sex predators,” said ALERT CEO Supt. Dwayne Lakusta.

In response to the rising case numbers, ALERT said it is seeking to double the size of the ICE unit to 50 members. Lakusta said ALERT overall has received an additional $50 million dollars over a five-year span from the province, which has helped with the expansion of the team. He said they have filled just over 50 positions across Alberta dedicated to ICE investigations.

“What it allows us to do is respond in a more timely manner,” said Lakusta. “It also allows us to purchase specialized equipment, technology software that's able to create investigative efficiencies to allow us to be that much more effective.”

Lakusta said a further breakdown of funding by unit was not available.

The team includes investigators, forensic technicians, analysts and disclosure clerks. It is one of the largest internet and child exploitation teams in the country.

Jason Van Rassel, a spokesman with Alberta Justice, said provincial funding for the entirety of ALERT is increased to $35.4 million in 2021-22, up from $33.9 million in the previous year.

Of the 24 people arrested by the ICE unit in 2021, six are from Edmonton.