What are the Australiasian Branch Awards?
The Australasian Branch of IAATI, in partnership with our Award Sponsors, DataDot Technology have an annual Awards Programme. The IAATI Branch awards seek to recognise and reward outstanding achievement, innovation, or exceptional performance in the area of auto theft prevention and investigation.
Award Categories
Nominations are currently invited for the following four categories:
Investigation of the Year
Sponsored by Insurance Australia Group this award is open to any individual or team of professionals involved in the identification and investigation of motor vehicle theft. The investigation may be deemed exceptional for a range of reasons including its use innovative methodologies or techniques, the complexity of the investigation, the involvement and cooperation of multiple agencies, or the size of the operation. It is open to members of Police services, Customs services, insurance investigators, private investigators, or anyone else involved in investigation of motor vehicle theft. The may involve cooperation of international agencies but at least part of the investigation must have taken place in Australia or New Zealand during the last 3 years.
Insurance Industry Auto Theft Investigation of the Year Award
This award is open to individuals working in the insurance industry involved in the identification and/or investigation of auto theft insurance claims. The award is open to insurance investigators, private investigators, claims officers, claims managers, insurance assessors and insurance company personnel involved in an intelligence role. The investigation and/or claims process may be deemed exceptional for a range of reasons including its use of innovated methodologies or techniques or the complexity of the investigation.
The individual will need to show that the investigation and or claims process has met with the requirements of the General Insurance Code of Practice, the insurance company's service level agreement, customer relations guidelines and/or dispute resolution process if applicable. The investigation and/or insurance claim must have taken place in Australia or New Zealand during the last three years.
Outstanding Achievement in the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft in Australasia
Sponsored by Insurance Australia Group this award is open to any individual, organisation or agency that has made a significant contribution to assist in the reduction of motor vehicle theft in Australia. For example, potential nominations in this category may include:
- Individuals or organisation involved in the development of security devices;
- Vehicle manufacturers;
- Governments for their introduction of new legislation;
- Insurance companies the introduction of new procedures or incentives to vehicle owners or the funding of crime prevention programs;
- Police services for the introduction of initiatives or the development and distribution of training programmes;
- Car park operators and shopping centre managers for introduction of safer parking environments;
- Local crime prevention practitioners;
- Youth workers or organisations involved in prevention programs for offender or age risk individuals;
- Advertising agencies for the development of an awareness campaign etc.;
- Schools/education authorities for the introduction of motor vehicle theft prevention issues into the curriculum;
- Motor Registration authorities or consumer protection agencies for the development of policies or procedures aimed at restricting the activities of car thieves and protecting the unsuspecting consumers; or
- Individuals or organisations involved in the media for the development of responsible reporting practices, the dissemination of vehicle theft prevention material, or the reporting of vehicle theft issues.
DataDot Investigation of the Year Award
The DataDot Investigation of the Year Award is being held for the fifth time this year. Entries are open to any organisation (public or private) that has relied upon the DataDot component identification product in an investigation of motor vehicles. This award is sponsored by DataDot Technology Ltd.
Outstanding Contribution by a member to the International or Australasian Branch of IAATI
Nominations for this award are only open to present or past members of the Australasian Branch of IAATI. This award is to recognise the work of an individual member, who through their dedication and involvement, has helped in the development, growth or professionalism of IAATI within the Australasian Branch or at the international level.
Award Nominations
Nominations for any of the awards can be made at any time. However, for a nomination to be considered for the 2010 Awards it must be submitted by Friday 29th of January, 2010. Please send:
- details of the person or group being nominated and stating the category they are being nominated for;
- reasons for your nomination; and
- your name and contact details
to:
Harry Rakintzis
AAMI Insurance
601 St Kilda Road
Melbourne, VIC 3004
Winners will be announced at the Annual Training Seminar each year. Download Awards Flyer
Presentation Ceremony
Winners of the 2009 Branch Awards will be announced during the 2010 Seminar Dinner to be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel Brisbane, Australia on Monday 1st of March 2010. Sponsorship provided by DataDot Technology enables the award winners to attend the dinner in person. The winner of each category may also be asked to make a short presentation during the conference and/or write a short article for publication in an IAATI newsletter.
Enquiries
Enquiries about the Branch awards can made by contacting:
- Harry Rakintzis: Ph 61 - 3 - 8520 1394 or
hrakintzis@aami.com.au
Sponsors
The Australasian Branch of IAATI gratefully acknowledges the long term support of DataDot Technology with the Branch Awards Program.2009 Award Recipients
DataDot Investigation of the Year sponsored by DataDot Technology
The Winner of the 2009 DataDot Investigation of the Year award was won by the Taiwan Crime Investigation Bureau. In October 2008, the local county police raided a suspected ´chop shop´, and found over 6000 car parts from almost 1000 cars. The police together with the CIB as part of the investigation carried out a forensic examination of selected parts.
This examination identified microdots bearing the VIN of the original vehicle as ´whole vehicle marking´ introduced by the Taiwan Government in 2005. As a result of this they were able to confirm that many of the parts belonged to stolen cars. The investigation led to 3 arrests and subsequent convictions. The value of the goods seized was over $9,000,000.00 Australian dollars.
The Insurance Investigation of the Year
Winner: Jason Ostrofski Verifact Investigations Pty Ltd
This award recognises individuals working in the insurance industry that are involved in the investigation of auto theft insurance claims. This year´s winner for the second consecutive year is Jason Ostrofski. Jason was nominated for an investigation he conducted in 2008 into a claim for a stolen 2004 Toyota Corolla Hatch. Upon obtaining detailed versions from the policyholders and other relevant witnesses at the time of the allege theft was able to:
- Locate witnesses at the recovery scene that provided relevant information to cast doubt over the policyholders´ version of events.
- Obtain lawful information from outside organisations that again added doubt to the policyholders´ version.
- Liaise with IAATI members to obtain advice on the security features for this model.
After obtaining all this information he was able to formally discuss these concerns with the policyholders. As a result of the overwhelming evidence presented to the insurer the claim was declined.
Investigation of the Year
Winner: New South Wales Police Strike Force Deeble
The New South Wales Police Strike Force Deeble´ employed new techniques to assist with the investigation. The investigation was into two connected criminal groups who were involved in Car Theft, Stripping of parts, repairing economically Written Off cars, using false receipts, providing false receipts, using stolen parts and the sale of the rebirthed cars.
This strike force worked closely with the Roads and Traffic Authority, Victoria Police, South Australia Police, Insurers and Department of Fair Trading. It also utilised new legislation to assist the investigation such as:
- Controlled operations authority allowing investigators to trespass and affix DataDots to stolen car parts so that they can be tracked in the future.
- Named Persons Warrant under the new Surveillance Devices Legislation.
- And the use of tainted property freezing notices allowing them to seize cars that have been purchased using proceeds of a crime or purchased for the purpose of rebirthing.
This investigation resulted in 9 offenders charged with 35 offences and seized multiple car parts, 8 vehicles and 1 Jet Ski. It also identified assets in excess of $1m which are now subject to confiscation proceedings. It is the first re-birthing investigation to charge offenders with the ´Participate in Criminal Groups#180; offence& and to instigate Asset Confiscation proceedings.
Outstanding Achievement Award
Winner: Sergeant Barry Woolven South Australia Police.
Sergeant Woolven has dedicated himself towards developing and implementing crime prevention strategies. His role encompasses research, development, preparation and dissemination of vehicle crime prevention and problem solving material, including promotional material and guidelines for the use of SA police and the community.
His strategies encourage the reporting of motor vehicle related offences, awareness raising, reducing vulnerability and the use of traditional and innovative means to prevent car theft whilst providing support to the victims. His contribution assisted South Australia to record the highest percentage decrease of 20% in motor vehicle theft during 2008.
Member of the Year
This award designed to recognise the work of an individual member, who through their dedication and involvement, has helped in the development, growth or professionalism of IAATI within the Australasian Branch or at the international level.
This year´s recipient Frank de Jong has been a committee member since 2006. During this period he has continually contributed a significant amount of work towards the organisation of conferences. He is always available to participate in meetings and to assist in whatever action is required. In particular he has been instrumental in assisting with organising this conference and has continually promoted IAATI in his residing country. He is also qualified Automotive Engineer and has shown initiative in setting up his own company to support insurance companies to recover stolen motor vehicles.
2008 Award Recipients
Investigation of the Year Sponsored by IAG
The winner of the award for 2008 is Strike Force Olympian, Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad, State Crime Command, NSW Police Force. Strike Force Olympian was formed in January 2007, as a result of sustained intelligence regarding the vehicle rebirthing activities of a number of members of the Middle Eastern Organised Crime community. Intelligence was received regarding a syndicate that was intimately involved in the wrecking industry, as well as being responsible for organising and executing the theft and clinical stripping of motor vehicles. The syndicate was large, well established and professional, and were stealing vehicles predominantly from the eastern suburbs of Sydney, and dumping the clinically stripped wrecks in the south west of Sydney. The major arrest phase was conducted on 19 July 2007. This arrest phase concluded the “car thief chapter” of the investigation, and alone saw the arrest of 6 offenders the laying of over 50 charges. 18 stolen vehicles were located and seized, and two 40 foot shipping containers were required to store the volume of stolen and suspected stolen vehicle parts seized during the search warrants.
DataDot Investigation of the Year - Sponsored by DataDot
The winner of the award for 2008 is Strike Force Shiprock, Property Crime Squad, Motor Team, State Crime Command, NSW Police Force. In January 2007 two motor vehicles were stolen from a car yard in Western Sydney. Police received information that these vehicles were at a residential home. An investigation commenced and in February 2007 a search warrant was executed at these premises resulting in the location of parts from one of the stolen motor vehicles. A business inspection was also conducted on a licensed smash repairer and further parts from the same stolen vehicle were recovered.
As a result further associates were identified and a number of investigative strategies commenced resulting in four search warrants being executed in March 2007, on a variety of residential premises. Police located and seized eleven suspected rebirthed motor vehicles, thirteen motor cycles, a jet boat and jet ski together with a large amount of vehicle parts and accessories. Two of the vehicles recovered on were identified ostensibly by ‘DataDots’ affixed to the vehicles. One vehicle, a Subaru WRX was determined to be a combination of six motor vehicles with ‘DataDots’ used to identify parts from five stolen motor vehicles. The second vehicle identified using ‘DataDots’ was a Holden Special Vehicle R8 Marloo utility.
Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft - Sponsored by IAG
The winner of the award for 2008 is Identitek System Pty Ltd.
Identitek Systems Pty Ltd has developed the first secure compliance label that meets the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Councils (NMVTRC) tough technical specifications. Improving the standard of vehicle identification at the point of manufacture is a central element of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Councils integrated theft reduction strategy.
The Australasian Branch commends Identitek Systems on its innovation and persistence and believes they are a very worthy winner of the 2008 award.
Member of the Year - sponsored by IAATI
The Australasian Branch Member of the Year for 2008 is Detective Terry Campbell of the New South Wales Police Force. Detective Inspector Terry Campbell was a worthy winner of the 2008 Member of the Year Award having played an active role as a member of the Onsite Organising Committee for the 2008 International Training Seminar. Well done Terry.
Insurance Industry Investigation of the Year Award - Sponsored by IAATI
The inaugural winner of the Insurance Industry Award is Queensland Private Investigator Mr Jason Ostrofski of Verifact Investigations.
On 3 July 2007, Mr Ostrofski received instructions in relation to a Full Motor Vehicle Theft Investigation that was required to be carried out on behalf of an insurance company. The insured vehicle in this matter was a 2000 Kia Sportage station wagon.
The investigation was conducted with an exceptional level of knowledge, and professionalism. Mr Ostrofski displayed innovative interview techniques, utilized the services of industry professionals and explored all avenues of inquiries including inquiries with external agencies during the investigation which provided an excellent result for the Insurer. The insurance company declined the policy holders claim alleging fraud.
2007 Award Recipients
Investigation of the Year - Sponsored by IAG
The winner of the award for 2007 is Strike Force HINDLEY of the Property Crime Squad, State Crime Command, NSW Police.
In early 2005, a Plain Clothes Constable with NSWPOL was given carriage of enquiries into a "theft by fraud" of a hire vehicle.
Early enquiries identified a number of similar offences, and the Constable transferred to the Property Crime Squad as the Office in Charge of the Strike Force that was initiated. A number of vehicles were hired by students at the request of the main target, and paid small amounts for their trouble to hand the vehicles over to the syndicate.
A number of additional (luxury) vehicles were purchased fraudulently using forged cheques. The original cheques were in small amounts (eg. $30) but "washed" by the syndicate for use in amounts up to $60,000.
When concluded in October 2006, the Strike Force had identified a rebirthing syndicate associated with 28 stolen vehicles valued at more than $500,000. Seventeen offenders were arrested and charged.
Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft - Sponsored by IAG
The winner of the award for 2007 is Glenorchy City Council, Tasmania.
Each year, the NMVTRC sponsors a public awareness program known as "Operation Bounce Back". Three years ago, a Council in Tasmania identified vehicle crime as a local issue, and was ranked second worst in the state by incident volume.
In 2004/05, sixty 'at risk' youths attended a seminar to examine the real risks of being involved in vehicle crime. During the seminar, these young people suggested that the best way to get the anti-theft message out to the community would be through TV advertisements.
The Council then set about developing 3 x 30 second anti-vehicle theft advertisements using NMVTRC sponsorship. The advertisements involved a group of young at-risk persons, who assisted in the creative and technical aspects of production. Following the campaign, this Council experienced an 14% decrease in vehicle crime, compared to a 14% increase across Tasmania.
DataDot Investigation of the Year - Sponsored by DataDot
The winner of the award for 2007 is the Forensic Response Section, South Australia Police.
In December 2006 in South Australia, 2003 HSV Clubsport was stolen after the driver stopped to assist a man lying injured on the roadway. Three weeks later, patrol officers stopped a van containing 5 males towing a trailer after the group set fire to the rear half of a Commodore sedan.
Tasked with the investigation, the Forensic Response Section of SAPOL recognized that the Commodore was a post-2002 model and so should carry DataDots. Unfortunately, any Dots that may have been affixed were consumed in the fire.
Subsequent searches of property and vehicles owned by the five males, however, revealed a number of DataDotted panels and wheels that had been removed from the 2003 HSV. As a result, the suspect in possession of these items was charged and some $20,000 of components was recovered.
Member of the Year - sponsored by IAATI
The Australasian Branch Member of the Year for 2007 was Gerry Bashford of Victoria Police. Well done Gerry.