America Responds

THE WAR ON TERRORISM IS NO LONGER CONFINED TO THE MILITARY

AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. SEPTEMBER 11TH CRUELLY
REVEALED JUST HOW DOMESTICATED TERRORISM HAS BECOME.

WHILE THE ATTACKS ON AMERICA CULMINATED IN WASHINGTON

AND NEW YORK CITY, THEY WERE PREMEDITATED IN PLACES LIKE
VENICE, FLORIDA; EAGAN, MINNESOTA;
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA AND WAYNE, NEW
JERSEY.

THIS IS THE REALM OF LOCAL LAW

ENFORCEMENT – AND WITH HUNDREDS OF
SUSPECTED TERRORISTS STILL LIVING IN THE
UNITED STATES – THE THIN BLUE LINE NOW
FINDS ITSELF ON COUNTER-TERRORISM’S
FRONTLINE.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VETERAN

POLICE OFFICERS AND THE POLICE
PROTECTIVE FUND ARE COMMITTED TO
RECOGNIZING AND EXPANDING THE AUTHORITY OF LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT – NOT ONLY AS FIRST RESPONDERS - BUT AS
EQUALS IN THE MONUMENTAL TASK OF PREVENTING FURTHER
ATTACKS.

UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO GATHER INTELLIGENCE AND INVESTIGATE

THESE NEW HOME BASED TERRORISTS, THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL
POLICE IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM IS CRITICAL. AFTER ALL, WHAT
IS “HOMELAND DEFENSE” IF NOT THE LOCAL POLICE?

PHIL LECONTE
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SINCE SEPT. 11TH, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT EXPERTS AND FEMA TO HELP THE NATION’S LAW
ENFORCERS FACE DOMESTIC TERRORISM. THE FOLLOWING PAGES
PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE ONGOING EFFORTS.
 America Responds

LAW ENFORCEMENT’S MOMENT TO ACT

BY SR. SGT SAM COX (RET), SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

As police officers we often deal with society’s darkest and most disturbing secrets. We
know that it is our duty to handle these situations with strength and dignity so that others
will not have to. Even those of us most hardened by our years on the streets, however,
could not escape the heartbreak and bewilderment that followed the tragic events of
September 11th.

When the shock of the attacks passed, many Americans realized that they are not
untouchable, that there are people who will hurt indiscriminately and without cause. This
change in attitude has led to a dramatic increase in law enforcement related legislation
being discussed and acted upon at
the Capitol. For police officers, this
change in attitude means an
opportunity to honor the lives of those
who died by making this country a
safer place to live.

Now that we have finally been given

the floor and people are taking the
time to listen, it’s important that we
push for essential law enforcement
programs and avoid a situation where
scared people spend our nation’s
resources on every harebrained
safety scheme that is introduced in
Congress. We level headed law-
enforcers need to ban together and
tell this country’s leaders where our
Sam Cox at the center of Austin, Texas’ state-of-the-art technology at the TX
dollars can best be spent to ensure
Dept. of Transportation. the safety of our citizens and our way
of life.

I am sure that we could, if given the opportunity, produce a massive list of changes that
need to be made if we wish to make our country a safer place to live. But if we choose to
fight on too many fronts, we’ll get nothing done. If we’re going to fight, let’s fight for a few
changes that everyone can get behind- cops, citizens and politicians alike.

Criminal Analysis

Our first order of business should be to push for more enabling legislation.
That is, legislation that lets us do our jobs. In particular, I’m talking about
criminal analysis. In the past, our opponents (who definitely know how to
play the political game) spun the term criminal analysis, calling it racial
profiling or giving it some other narrow definition in an attempt to turn public
favor against it. They ignored the fact that many issues other than race are
used when determining who is most likely to commit a crime.

By focusing on the race issue, they were able to convince politicians and the
public that criminal analysis is bad. That’s just foolishness and for once we
may have a chance to show that not only does criminal analysis work, it’s
legal and people want it. The way I see it, criminal analysis is no more than an
extension of an officers god given senses. When computer databases
calculate characteristics most closely associated with offenders, these
calculations are no more than an extension of an officer’s brain. THERE IS NOTHING IN
OUR CONSTITUTION
Law Enforcement Technology THAT SAYS THAT WE
HAVE A RIGHT TO BE
ANONYMOUS
It is difficult to justify the cost of embracing every new technology that is presented as a
support for law enforcers. But there is absolutely no excuse for our failure to completely
embrace at least a few of the new tools that are out there. The two that seem to be the
most important and the most effective are DNA fingerprinting and surveillance cameras
equipped with face recognition software. DNA fingerprinting, while expensive initially, will
pay for itself a thousand times over once adopted. When we can eliminate the legal and

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 scientific doubt still presented by traditional fingerprints, everyone will save time,
effort and money.

Face identification software will help us to catch those criminals who

know how to beat the system. These careful fugitives avoid those
situations that would allow us to get close to them. But they cannot, unless
they hide away forever, avoid the tireless eye of the surveillance camera.
Even the most elusive of criminals will have to come out somewhere and
if we are watching, we’ll get’ em. Today’s law enforcement technology is
essential and refusal to adopt it is a sure way to encourage aggressors.
The criminals are using advanced technology and we better do the same
if we want to keep up.

National I.D. Card

LAW ENFORCEMENT
TECHNOLOGY TODAY Time and time again potential criminals have been apprehended because
IS ESSENTIAL AND they made the mistake of ignoring traffic laws. It isn’t hard to understand, people who
REFUSAL TO ADOPT IT
IS A SURE WAY TO
are willing to break the big rules hardly notice the little ones. Stop signs, speed limits,
E N C O U R A G E no right on red – it is here that we have the greatest chance of stopping potential
AGGRESSORS criminals because it is here that they are most likely to make a mistake. A national
I.D. card is the first step
towards catching those
criminals who present Today’s law enforcement technology is
themselves to officer scrutiny
through traffic mistakes. essential and refusal to adopt it is a sure
Behind that card we need a way to encourage aggressors. The criminals
universal system through
which law enforcers can are using advanced technology and we
share information. better do the same if we want to keep up.
Imagine if we were all
connected, law enforcers from
all over the country - municipal, county, federal –no arguments over jurisdiction, just
cops working together. Imagine that you could touch a button and see that a person
was driving with a suspended license from a state 1500 miles away or that a federal
warrant had been issued on this person but never served.

When making a traffic stop with that type of information at our disposal, we might be
able to catch that little quirk that says, ‘Hey, something isn’t
right here, this guy doesn’t fit.” With that type of information, we
might be able to hold onto those criminals who would have
otherwise driven away with a speeding ticket and a laugh at our
expense.

Strict Enforcement of Immigration Law

Depending on where you live, this issue may not seem like an
everyday concern, but I’ll tell you that for a large percentage of
officers, it is. Because we have been so relaxed about enforcing
our visas and protecting our borders, there is an undue financial
strain on the system and that strain is definitely affecting our
The Heritage Foundation has
ability to do a good job. We can’t afford to have open borders. published an excellent action plan
When we do, all public services suffer, especially law entitled “Defending the American
enforcement. Until immigrants have signed in at the border and Homeland”. To receive a copy, visit
www.Heritage.org.
are prepared to pay the same taxes that you do, they don’t
deserve the same privileges that you enjoy.

The Need to Act

I’ve said in the past that the best session of Congress is one when they leave law
enforcement alone. I now think that the tables have turned and its time to tinker with
the system a bit. Believe me, I share this nation’s concern for privacy. And immigration
is not bad, it just needs to be better controlled so that we can anticipate our growth
and prepare accordingly. I think that the best government is the least government.
But there are times when you have to have rules and there are scarier times when
you have to enhance what you’ve already got.

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 America Responds

NAVPO JOINS
FEMA TO PROMOTE
IMPORTANT NEW
COURSE ON TERRORISM
Working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Police
Protective Fund & NAVPO have launched a yearlong campaign to promote and
encourage law enforcement officers to enroll in FEMA’s “EMERGENCY RESPONSE
TO TERRORISM”.

A Top Priority
Because of the importance of this information, NAVPO & PPF are making access
and knowledge of this course a top priority -- promoting the course through
publications, news releases, a promotional poster and a high-profile link from our
website (PoliceUSA.com).

“I want to congratulate
NAVPO in being the first
“I want to congratulate NAVPO in
major law enforcement being the first major law
group to recognize this
course and highlight it to enforcement group to recognize
the national police
community,” stated FEMA
this course and highlight it to the
Director, Joe Allbaugh. “I national police community.”
hope others will follow
NAVPOs lead in educating Director Joe Allbaugh, FEMA Director Allbaugh
and preparing first
responders on terrorism.”

Vital Source of Information

The course is a vital source of information for all first responders and includes a
wealth of critical information regarding terrorism and its impact on the safety of law
enforcement officers.

A self-study course, it is designed to provide a general introduction to first responder

awareness at the scene of a potential terrorist incident. “What’s unique about this
course” says Allbaugh, “is a fundamental awareness of terrorism: What it is, how to
recognize it and how to prepare for it. With that awareness, first responders are
safer and better prepared.”

To learn more, visit

PoliceUSA.com

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 Training is Invaluable
“I have always felt that training officers
is the most important function of any
police department,” adds NAVPO Special
Consultant Jim Lyde. “Training is
invaluable for officers both young and
old. It’s vital to help officers reach that
goal of, “Protect and Serve.”

A Gold Mine of Information

“For the police officer concerned
about the dangers that terrorism represents to his safety --
’Emergency Response to Terrorism’ is a gold mine of
information,” says Lyde. “This course will help officers
prepare for the possibility of being a first responder to
incidents of terrorism. As we all know, being an officer means
long stretches of boredom, punctuated by infrequent
explosions of extreme stress. This course will help officers
prepare for the really big crisis, when lack of preparation
means that people might die.“

“Courses like this help officers to visualize the scenarios

they may face before they face them. By Jim Lyde
planning their responses to a variety of
situations before they arise, officers will
be better prepared to deal with the “For the police officer concerned about the
situations in which all order breaks dangers that terrorism represents to his
down,” explains Lyde.
safety -- ‘Emergency Response to
Every Officer’s Responsibility Terrorism’ is a gold mine of information.”
“We are not miracle workers and we
cannot solve every problem. But it is
every officer’s responsibility to prepare Jim Lyde, NAVPO Special Consultant
as best they can for the dangers that lay
ahead. I’m confident that FEMA’s
’Emergency Response to Terrorism’ will help them to do just that.

Law enforcers who wish to take the course or simply review the
material, can do so online at www.FEMA.gov or can link directly to
the site at www.PoliceUSA.com

Certificate of Completion
There is a final examination, located at the end of the course materials
that will test the knowledge gained from the course. To receive an
NFA Certificate of Completion, the completed examination form is
mailed to the address provided on the form. Law enforcers must
score 70 percent or higher in order to receive the certificate. Upon
successful completion, certificates will be mailed within six to eight
weeks.

The internet, postcards & posters have been used

to promote the course. For more information about
course certification, visit www.PoliceUSA.com

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 America Responds

W e, as a nation, have suffered a

collective sorrow. Whether we were
watching it on television from two
thousand miles away, or we were in
Manhattan when the first plane
struck the World Trade Center, we all
had a stake in the attacks of 9-11.

We all experienced grief and

bewilderment, but as time passed it
is now possible to make it through a
day without constantly thinking
about the attacks. Officer Suzanne
D’Ambrose

However, there are some who have

not been able to recover, many of
whom are police officers, firefighters and civilians who
were at or near ground zero during and after the attacks.
For these men and women, the healing process is
complicated by severe cases of Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). Counselors are receiving calls daily
from the public safety workers unable to shake the
gruesome images waiting for them every time they

Who Will Stand Guard Tomorrow?

close their eyes.

This inability to let go of those images

and feelings is forcing many officers

by Officer Suzanne D’Ambrose to leave their posts because stress

and fatigue are interfering with their
jobs. And they aren’t the only ones

Senior Advisory Board Member leaving. There are other officers,

veterans with twenty-five years of
duty served, who are leaving the
force as well. These qualified
veterans may have stayed on for
The stress & fatigue linger.
another five or ten years, but after
the attacks, many have decided that
this a good time to move along and try something
different. Whatever their reasons, we all start to worry
when good cops leave.

Someone asked me the other day if I thought it was best

for all involved if those who are suffering too much to do
a good job would just go ahead and retire. While
I’m not a counselor, I do know that we need to
make certain all options have been exhausted
before an officer walks out the door. Specifically,
we need more counselors out there, both in the
police departments and in the academies.

Above all, we must offer both the opportunity and

the strength to talk out their problems. Once
they’ve been given the opportunity to grieve,
without the fear that they will be seen as weak or
unfit, then they will be in a better position to know
if they can still be a benefit to law enforcement.

Despite this crisis in the ranks, the events of

September 11th have had one surprising effect.
The images remain. Here in New Jersey and across the country, there
are scores of new recruits showing up to test for
one or two patrol positions. Even more reassuring
to me, is the excitement of young people I meet who are
now anxious to get out there and do their part. While the
scars of 9/11 are still healing, it is reassuring to know
that there is a new generation of young citizens ready
to take up the colors and fight.

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 T he terrorist attacks of
September 11 affected
all aspects of U.S. law
enforcement, including
my work at the Florida
Dept. of Law
Enforcement.

Initial Changes
Just after the attacks, we
were all forced to
Dennis Haley & the Florida Keys’ develop alternative
vulnerable coastline.
methods for
investigating the
relatively unfamiliar crime of terrorism.

• All casework not directly linked to the attacks was

suspended and all personnel was directed to investigate
any activity that may have been tied to the terrorists.
• FDLE established the Office of Special Investigations
to funnel all information concerning the terrorists and
disseminate it to law enforcement agencies all over the
Changes - Post 9/11
state.

Changes I Could Do Without

Some of the other changes that continue to affect us
by Special Agent Dennis Haley
are not so easy to embrace:
• The duty agent must wear rubber gloves and a mask
when retrieving the mail. Mail without a return address Senior Advisory Board Member
or suspicious boxes are opened outside the office.
• As drug smugglers find themselves unable to cross
the tighter Mexico/Texas border, their usual routes, many
of them are rerouting through Southern Florida.

Changes Here to Stay

While things are slowly returning to normal, there are a
few changes that are most likely here to stay:
• In each region select agents are now assigned to do
nothing but review and gather intelligence on terrorists,
while Special Task forces made up of U.S. Customs,
FDLE, FBI, border patrol, and local police have been
established to respond to any threat or suspicious
activity.

Changes Long Over Due

Before 9-11 there was a tendency to hide sensitive
information until the last minute. For instance, it was
only after the World Trade Center attacks that officials
discovered that four of the September 11th hijackers
had been stopped for speeding at various times. If police
officers had known that the FBI was looking for the men, The new face of law enforcement.

law enforcement officials would have had a better

chance at tailing them — and perhaps uncovering the
terror plot.
Information is now flowing freely between the federal
and local agencies. Under a directive issued by Attorney
General John Ashcroft, the FBI has begun posting
thousands of names of individuals identified by
intelligence agencies as “suspected terrorists” but not
charged with any U.S. crime on the National Crime
Information Center (NCIC), a powerful FBI-sponsored
law enforcement database.
million queries a day, the vast majority during routine
traffic stops. Finally, local officers have the right to
know if they’re about to give a traffic ticket to someone
who may have been trained to kill.
Under the new system terrorist suspects cannot be
detained if there is no criminal warrant filed against
them, but the NCIC will give the inquiring officer specific
instructions about what to do — for instance, call the
local FBI office and stall for time until agents can get to
the scene and begin tailing their quarry.

Accessible to 650,000 federal state and local law This is a powerful new tool for law enforcers and a
enforcement officers, the NCIC fields as many as 3.3 welcome change.

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