For most law enforcement agency administrators in the United States, the perceived threat of a terrorist act or attack within their jurisdiction is a remote possibility. Unfortunately, one cannot predict, with any degree of confidence, when and where terrorism is likely to occur. Being prepared for any eventuality is a hallmark of good administration, but preparation should be consistent, at least to some degree, with the probability of an event and available resources. It must also be measured against the potential impact that such an event might have.
A terrorist act usually has a low probability of occurrence but a high impact when it does, as we have witnessed in the World Trade Center bombing in New York City, the murder of an ad exec in Caldwell, New Jersey, the recent Oklahoma City bombing and tragedy and those acts of terrorism, violence and death perpetrated by the infamous and elusive "Unabomber". Thus, it requires some serious consideration and effective and joint planning in any law enforcement, criminal justice or public safety agency or respective emergency management program serving the security and safety needs of citizens.
Jurisdiction for the investigation of domestic terrorist acts rests primarily with federal agencies, but the local law enforcement agency or the established emergency management team also has an all-important and vital role when their local setting becomes the target and the primary theater of operations. Recent history has proven that that this action is necessary.
It is because of the immediate municipal, county and state role that a ready-reference for countering terrorism is readily available, specifically for all law enforcement and related emergency management, civil defense and security administrators, to provide a planning framework, identify specific needs, identify areas of threat and responsibility, and to provide a source of vital and proven-effective reference materials and information.
It is imperative that a model of this type be acquired and immediately implemented by each and every law enforcement agency in America, regardless of size or location, before the next internal threat, scare or resulting tragedy. The proper and highly recommended program model on countering terrorism, for early municipal, borough, hamlet, village, county and state law enforcement agency preparation and intervention, consists of eight vital parts, focusing primarily on Planning, Operations, Tactics, External Considerations, Events, Acts, The Actors and Training.
Included are vital materials, far exceeding present emergency management procedures, that can easily be effectively duplicated to assist in planning activities and to distribute in an operational setting. Some of the procedures can be used the way they are, while others should be adapted to the particular jurisdiction.
The importance of preparation for a potential threat will be dictated by the respective chief executive of a city, county, state or respective jurisdiction. An alarmist approach is of little value, but to ignore or belittle the threat can prove to be disastrous. A reasoned and balanced approach, emphasizing a departmental plan, offers a sensible model, because, 'it can happen here!' Recent events and historical warnings have proven this year after year. The warning signs are all around, yet, too many, in positions of authority, often because of denial, fail to recognize them.
This vital model for law enforcement to aid in countering terrorism represents the first step for the development of a truly effective plan. Although most of the preliminary work and research has been accomplished, the rest depends on the respective chief agency executive and the delegated professional joint planning groups.
Hopefully, there will never be a need for you and your jurisdiction to use this specialized model or put the plan into effect, even in the aftermath of the World Trade Center bombing disaster and the recent bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal building, and countless other, however, should an incident occur, the vital realization that there is a working plan that may and will aid in saving the lives of those served by law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, corporate security or related community-related administrations, "is just that important!"
* Operations Plan (Example)
* Implementation Guidelines
* Operations: Operations Implementation
* Operations Orders
* Command Post
* General Tactical
* Mutual Aid Procedures
* Evacuation Procedures
* Information and Intelligence
* Legal Issues and Federal Statutes Against Terrorism
* Investigative Guidelines and Statutory Authority
* State Statutes Against Terrorism
* Hostage Teams and Negotiators
* Use of Force
* Bomb Procedures
* Bomb Threats and Searching
* Emergency and Bomb Tactical Units (ERT) (SWAT)
* External Considerations: Introduction
* Call Assessment
* Facility and Personnel Protection
* Police and News Media Relations Policy
* Events
* Philosophical Issues and Positions
* Potential Targets
* Airports
* Maritime Terrorism
* Nuclear Terrorism
* Chemical Warfare
* Biological Warfare
* Hostage Situations
* Kidnappings
* Bombings
* Assassinations
* Skyjackings and Hijackings
* Training: Introduction
* Management Training
* Recruit and In-Service Training
* ERT and SWAT Units
* Combined Unit Training
Interested law enforcement and criminal justice professionals are invited to E-Mail IASO for additional information relating to the proven-effective model plan for countering terrorism.