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Phx Metro NIBIN Program Video

Crime guns & NIBIN: Collect, compare the casings, connect the dots

The unique markings left on spent bullets and cartridge casings can be the firearm equivalent of pocket trash: of great value to a law enforcement investigator, if the information’s been properly collected and processed and is readily available. Information that might seem of little value to one agency can be a critical factor to the success of another agency’s investigation. Read more.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Gun Enforcement & NIBIN Squad is to suppress and prevent firearms related crime through effective enforcement of Federal and State firearms laws. This squad, in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is dedicated to the investigation of prohibited firearms possessors, armed career criminals, illegal firearms trafficking, violent organizations and gangs that misuse firearms.

Organizational and Operational Procedures

The Gun Enforcement & NIBIN Squad is assigned to the Home Invasion and Kidnapping Enforcement Unit (HIKE) in the Drug Enforcement Bureau. Under the command of the HIKE lieutenant, this squad is supervised by a sergeant and is comprised of detectives who investigate gun and other weapon-related crimes. This squad is also responsible for leading the Phoenix Police Department's participation in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network program (NIBIN) and works with other agencies throughout the state to expand this valuable investigative tool. Several of the Gun Enforcement detectives are Special Deputies with ATF, giving the Phoenix Police Department additional tools to enforce firearm laws. The Gun Enforcement & NIBIN Squad, through its unique partnership with ATF, provides the Phoenix Police Department with a comprehensive team to thoroughly investigate gun and weapon-related crimes.

Learn more about NIBIN or visit the ATF website.

Personnel from the Gun Enforcement & NIBIN Squad are available to conduct presentations for community groups regarding gun laws and the NIBIN program. Please contact the squad sergeant for scheduling.

Read an article about situations our patrol officers respond to frequently that are related to the use of NIBIN.

Lieutenant:
Anthony Lopez
602-426-0848

Sergeant:
Brandon Huntley
602-262-4829

Crimes Investigated

Prohibited possessors
Possessors of prohibited weapons
Shannon Law
Gun store burglaries
Carrying concealed weapons

Specialty Capabilities

Search Warrants
Undercover operations
Source of crime guns
Federal prosecution
Gun store inspections
ATF support
Border Patrol/ ICE support

NIBIN

NIBIN logo

Through its National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Program, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) deploys Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) equipment into Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies for their use in imaging and comparing crime gun evidence. This equipment allows law enforcement personnel to acquire digital images of the markings made by a firearm on bullets and cartridge casings. Following analysis, cases involving the use of the same firearm, that would otherwise have been unknown, can then be identified.

Currently, there are three agencies in the Phoenix metropolitan area that possess NIBIN equipment: Phoenix Police Department, Mesa Police Department and the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office.

The mission of the Phoenix Metro NIBIN Program is to increase the ability for valley law enforcement agencies to connect and investigate violent felony cases involving the use of firearms. This will be accomplished by increasing the number of agencies who participate in the NIBIN program, the more timely submittal of firearm-related evidence into the NIBIN database and the more effective investigative follow-up on cases that are connected through the use of the NIBIN database.

Brochure for our Phoenix Metro NIBIN Program

Informational Video

The following video is a media piece providing open source information about the Phoenix Metro NIBIN Program. Interested Law Enforcement agencies can obtain more detailed information about his program by contacting Sgt. Brandon Huntley by email.