The IACP Committee on Terrorism held its midyear meeting May 21-24 in Berlin, Germany. The committee, chaired by FBI Executive Assistant Director Mark Giuliano, was hosted by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Bundeskriminalamt (the German Federal Criminal Police).

Forty-three committee members, subject matter experts, and committee guests held discussions on a variety of topics including

Members of the IACP Committee on Terrorism discuss pertinent topics at their recent midyear meeting in Berlin, Germany.

• cyberterrorism;
• homegrown violent extremism;
• Iran, Hezbollah, and Shia extremism;
• domestic terrorism trends;
• the role of Europol in the fight against international terrorism;
• the U.S. Department of Defense’s cooperation with law enforcement; and
• threats to the 2012 Summer Olympics.

There was a featured discussion on information sharing best practices, with presentations by the Australian Federal Police; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; the Los Angeles, California, Police Department; and the Boston, Massachusetts, Regional Intelligence Center.

The committee received reports from its counterradicalization working group and an update from members of the Unified Message Task Team. The committee also passed a resolution on conducting bias-free counterrorism training.

Ambassador Philip D. Murphy hosted a reception for the committee at the U.S. Embassy on the opening night of the midyear meeting. Chairman Giuliano presented the IACP/Booz Allen Hamilton International Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Prevention of Terrorism during the dinner meeting on the second evening. The recipient was the Spanish National Police and Civil Guard.

During their time in Berlin, committee members toured the German Federal Chancellery, the Reichstag, and the German Joint Counterrorism Center (GTAZ). During the tour of the GTAZ, the committee heard presentations about the terrorist threat facing Germany and the modus operandi of Islamic terrorist offenders.

The IACP’s Mid Size Agencies Section concluded its 2012 midyear meeting one week ago at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. With generous support from the FBI National Data Exchange Program (N-DEx) and CARFAX Police Crash Assistance, the IACP was able to host more than 60 police executives from 27 states.

The IACP Mid Size Agencies Section midyear meeting was held in Alexandria, Virginia.

Agenda highlights included

• a presentation on cooperative media relations from Gail Pennybacker of ABC-7 News and Julie Parker from the Prince George’s County, Maryland, Police Department Media Relations Office;
• presentations by representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), IACP Alzheimer’s Initiatives, IACP/FBI-N-DEx, and CARFAX;
• keynotes from John Cohen of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Bernard K. Melekian of the office of Community Oriented Policing Services; and
• field trips to attend the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and tour the FBI headquarters.
  

  Meeting attendees had the opportunity to attend the National Peace Officers Memorial Service in Washington, D.C.

A roundtable breakout discussion to identify problems and priorities of midsize agencies and translate those into action items for the section was a key element of the proceedings. Common among the myriad identified challenges for midsize agencies are

• budget reductions;
• recruitment of qualified candidates, particularly those from diverse backgrounds;
• training of officers to respond to persons with mental illness and coordinate with local service providers; and
• prescription drug abuse and the crime that often results from it.

Advancing and focusing the work of the section are immediate next steps, including research into a nationwide benchmarking survey and identifying leading practices for policing in difficult economic times. The next meeting of the IACP Mid Size Agencies Section will be at IACP 2012 in San Diego, California, on Monday, October 1, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The IACP Mid Size Agencies Section provides a voice within the association for members from jurisdictions with populations ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 and an unparalleled opportunity to network with peers experiencing similar situations.

Seated, from right, with commissioners standing: Fr. Stephen Davies, Force Chaplain; Chief Walter A. McNeil, IACP President; Ellison E. Greenslade, Commissioner, Royal Bahamas Police Force; the Right Honorable Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; and the Honorable Bernard J. Nottage, Minister of National Security, the Bahamas

President McNeil’s greetings preceded those of the Right Honorable Perry G. Christie , Prime Minister of the Bahamas; and the Honorable Bernard J. Nottage, Minister of National Security.

President McNeil was invited by Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Ellison E. Greenslade, who currently serves as the president of the ACCP and the IACP World Regional chair for Central American/Caribbean Countries.

Accompanying President McNeil are Immediate Past IACP President Mark Marshall, Sheriff, Isle of Wight County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office; and IACP International Division Director Paul Santiago.

Throughout the first day of the meeting, the IACP contributed materially to the discussions.

For information about the IACP’s international activities, click here.

Armenian police officers visit the COPS office. From left are Tigran Petrosyan, Armenian fellow; Director Bernard K. Melekian, COPS office; Dr. Rouben Adalian, director, Armenian National Institute; and Nellik Manandyan, Armenian fellow.

By Lesley Milner, Guest Blogger; Project Coordinator, Center for Police Leadership and Training, IACP

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), through funding from the U.S. Department of State International Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office of Criminal Justice Assistance and Partnership, is in the midst of the pilot rotation of the International Police Education and Training Program (IPET).

This program is conducted in partnership with the Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Department and American University in Washington, D.C.

The IACP and its partners have the pleasure of hosting two Armenian police officers who are in the United States to participate in research and practicum relating to a change project that they plan to implement when they return to Armenia. One of the elements of this project is community policing, and the fellows had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office in Washington, D.C. This visit happened to coincide with the Armenian Recognition Day at the office, and the fellows met with COPS office Director Bernard K. Melekian, who was one of the speakers that day.

The experience was beneficial for all involved. The IACP thanks the COPS office, American University, and the International Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for helping to make it all possible.

Experience the hallmark education, networking, and exposition aspects of the annual IACP conference, along with the historical and cultural offerings of San Diego itself.

Register here today. See you September 29!

I read President Walter A. McNeil’s message in the May issue of Police Chief magazine with great interest.

The issue of a mandatory wear policy for bulletproof vests has surfaced several times during my first 18 months as the colonel of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. I was always resistant because I felt it was a personal choice; it was not customary for my generation of troopers to wear bulletproof vests. I was concerned about being seen as hypocritical because I never wore a vest.

Two incidents in the past eight months have changed my position on this policy.

In September 2011, Trooper Dwayne Stanford was shot at close range with a 9mm handgun in the center of his chest, right beside his uniform pocket flap. Thankfully, he was wearing his vest; he had even equipped it with an extra trauma plate. Trooper Stanford returned fire and killed his assailant: a wanted felon.

Trooper Dwayne Stanford’s bulletproof vest saved him from death by gunfire.

The second incident occurred in March 2012. Sergeant Lowell Russell’s patrol car was struck in the rear while parked on the shoulder of I-40 when the driver of a tractor trailer fell asleep. The patrol car was destroyed and immediately burst into flames. Paramedics and police officers passing by saw the crash and rescued Sergeant Russell with only seconds to spare. He suffered numerous critical injuries including a fractured skull, broken ribs, and a punctured lung. By all accounts, his bulletproof vest kept him from sustaining fatal chest trauma.

Sergeant Lowell Russell’s bulletproof vest saved him from fatal chest trauma in a car accident.

After these two incidents, Deputy Commissioner Larry Godwin came to me and said, “We have had two warnings.” He was well aware of my previous position on mandatory wear policies. We declared right then and there that we would not go to a fallen trooper’s home and explain a death that we could easily have prevented.

I will be implementing a mandatory wear policy for my agency on January 1, 2013.

More information:

• To learn what your colleagues in the field are doing to promote officer safety, see the May issue of Police Chief magazine in its online or its digital format. Want to receive a print copy of Police Chief magazine? Click here for subscription and renewal information.
• The National Law Enforcement Policy Center has prepared a document, Officer Safety and Risk Management, in response to the IACP initiative on promotion of officer safety. To order, click here.
• This week is National Police Week. For a schedule of events taking place in the Washington, D.C., area, click here.

Did you know that one in eight people over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s disease?

Did you know that nearly half of people age 85 and older have Alzheimer’s disease?

While these numbers are staggering, law enforcement may be surprised how often the issue of Alzheimer’s disease affects their communities.

Sixty percent of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease will wander or become lost, and 70 percent live alone.

It’s not a matter of if your community will be affected by Alzheimer’s; it’s when.

To prepare your department, IACP’s Alzheimer’s Initiatives, in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, has created a training program: Responding to Alzheimer’s Disease: Techniques for Law Enforcement and First Responders.

This no-cost training program is dedicated to providing law enforcement and others from the first responder community with the most current Alzheimer’s disease and dementia training available. Scholarships are available to help ensure your department is prepared for when this issue affects your community.

Upcoming training sessions follow:

June 4
Cohosted by the California Police Chiefs Association
Conference and Training Center
1 Civic Center Plaza
Irvine, CA 92623

June 28
Cohosted by the Texas Police Chiefs Association
The Institute for Law Enforcement Administration
5201 Democracy Drive
Plano, TX 75024 

For more information and to register, visit the IACP’s Alzheimer’s Initiatives website.

Bart R. Johnson, Executive Director, IACP

By Meredith Ward, Guest Blogger; Manager, Media and Legislative Affairs, IACP

Bart R. Johnson became executive director of the IACP on December 5, 2011. Prior to joining us, he worked his way up through the ranks to serve as a colonel in the New York State Police before heading over to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) where, most recently, he served as principal deputy undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis (I&A).

Just recently, he received the National Intelligence Superior Service Medal from the Director of National Intelligence for his “vision, strong leadership, and being instrumental in breaking down barriers to secure our homeland,” especially as it relates to establishing the National Network of Fusion Centers.

Meredith: Bart, you’ve been at the IACP just five months now. How has it been so far?

Executive Director Johnson: My experiences so far have been great; I feel a great sense of excitement within the IACP and with where we’re heading. When I came here, I was lucky that there was such a strong foundation in place. The rich history of this association is unmatched. This is why I’m looking forward to exploring new opportunities, partnerships, and means of reaching out to our membership (like through this blog!).

I’m also grateful that the IACP staff has been supportive in helping me to learn about the full scope of this organization. I’ve been involved in two productive Board of Officers and Executive Committee meetings, and the members of those bodies have been supportive as I adapt to my new role. I would also be remiss if I didn’t specifically mention President McNeil–Walt has been an outstanding supporter of me, the IACP staff, and the organization as a whole.

Meredith: Having served as a beat cop and as the second-highest ranking official in the DHS I&A, you have a unique perspective on information and intelligence sharing. Why should state, local, and tribal police chiefs/law enforcement buy into the intelligence and information sharing model?

Executive Director Johnson: In the years since 9/11, I believe we’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s more that we need to do. I lived in New York on 9/11 and lost two very good friends of mine who started out with me in Peekskill [New York]–one a law enforcement official and the other a firefighter. There are so many of us who lost friends and loved ones on 9/11, and so we have a personal and professional commitment to preventing and fighting terrorism.

This is why it is so important that information and intelligence flows among state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the federal government–most especially as it relates to countering terrorism. Law enforcement officers who are out on patrol each and every day need the best information and tools available to them, as well as training on indicators, warnings, and mechanisms to ensure they recognize, respond to, and report potential threats.

Meredith: At DHS I&A, your work focused on fusion centers and the important information sharing hubs that they are intended to be. Why is this important to state, local, and tribal law enforcement?

Executive Director Johnson: As evidenced by the rise in homegrown violent extremism, the threat to our nation is changing–it is here within our borders, and law enforcement must be prepared for how that threat may evolve. This is why the Fusion Center Network is so important and has played a big role in the progress we have made. These fusion centers are receiving, in near real time, information and intelligence regarding tactics, techniques, and procedures that terrorists are using. They are fully engaged, and part of their job is to make sure that state, local, and tribal law enforcement is also fully engaged and updated on the information and the intelligence they receive.

I am a firm believer that hometown security is really homeland security and, through our Homeland Security and Terrorism committees, the IACP will continue to play a significant role in this critical effort.

Meredith: Finally–and now this is technically the fourth question–anything else you’d like the membership to know about you?

Executive Director Johnson: What I learned in my 32-year law enforcement career (and four years with the federal government) is that law enforcement is a noble and honored profession. There are men and women out there each and every day who put their lives on the line to protect the homeland. I will always be cognizant of that and will apply my past experiences here. I’m proud that the IACP always has and will continue to be an advocate for law enforcement, and I will make certain this continues through my tenure.

For more on Meredith’s interview with Executive Director Bart R. Johnson, subscribe to updates to the IACP Blog by typing your email address in the box above the Sign Me Up button on the upper right of your screen. Then, click Sign Me Up!

Here are a few of the exciting features in store for attendees:

Exhibits. View the newest the products and the latest technologies available from more than 750 exhibitors. Check out live demonstrations and continuous education as well as the brand new Competition Zone in the IACP 2012 exhibit hall.

The IACP Exhibit Hall

Education. Learn from expert instructors and experienced police executives as they discuss contemporary issues in public safety. With more than 175 educational sessions, there is something for everyone at IACP 2012.

Ideas. Exchange ideas, create partnerships, and return home with the solutions your organization needs. Engage in problem solving with your peers during meetings, workshops, and networking events.

And . . . Networking! Expand your 

The IACP Annual Banquet

professional network with individuals from more than 90 countries. Through committee and section meetings and hospitality events, IACP 2012is the premier networking opportunity for public safety professionals.

Don’t miss out! Access more information and register today!

Local, state, and campus police from across the United States, along with federal law enforcement, wrapped up a two-day meeting at the Alexandria, Va., headquarters of the IACP on Friday last week. This group, which serves as the advisory body for the IACP’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant on Community Policing and Countering Violent Extremism, discussed ways to address the growing concern of homegrown violent extremism (HGVE).

Last week’s meeting at IACP headquarters concerned the issue of homegrown violent extremism.

This meeting of IACP members was one of the first attempts to respond to the White House’s Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States and was held in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Recognizing the increased HGVE threat, the assembled group came to a consensus on a number of points, including

• honest, trusting community partnerships are the cornerstone to prevention, and
• problem solving is a key component to partnering with communities.

These two principles are the same staples that are and have been successful in dealing with a host of crime and public safety problems. They can be applied as easily to the threat of HGVE as they can be to issues of gang violence.

The IACP/COPS advisory board will continue to meet to design and disseminate useful products to assist state, local, and tribal agencies counter violent extremism. The IACP State and Provincial Police Academy Directors Section is meeting this week with DHS on countering violent extremism curriculum development. The IACP University and College Police Section is engaged with DHS and other partners to address the same issue on college campuses.