The CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy and Texas Department of Agriculture are working together to improve gas pump skimmer enforcement and prevention of stolen credit and debit card information caused by the devices throughout the region. CAPCOG is planning a multi-tiered approach for protecting consumers that involves peace officer education, public education and special enforcement.
The academy will conduct specialized training courses that will instruct peace officers on how to identify skimmers and collect evidence that can lead to the prosecution of criminals installing the devices on gas pumps. To develop the course, CAPCOG will collaborate with investigators and prosecutors to determine the best types of evidence and collection methods that can lead to an arrest and conviction. The course also will focus on how officers and their departments can educate store owners on securing gas pumps and preventing them from being tampered with.
CAPCOG also will work with local jurisdictions to determine which areas experience a high volume of skimmer crimes and then aid in funding special surveillance and enforcement of those areas. A public awareness campaign focusing on how consumers can protect themselves also will be developed.
