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Police Departments Look to Counter-Terrorism Training to Bolster Homeland Security

By Dan Sommer

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 25Sep2011 Word count: 546 Viewed: 98 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Since September 11th, 2001 the world of homeland security has moved from a secondary concern to an area of primary concern. The Federal Government, in addition to creating the Department of Homeland Security, has also been pouring money into counter-terrorism efforts. This money has been increasing every year and was $1.8 billion in 2010.[1] A great deal of money has been dispersed among State and Local Law Enforcement agencies. The problem is that a vast majority of these funds are earmarked to be spent only on certain items, like training. One of the things that the majority of the money cannot pay for is new police officers. Now many Law Enforcement agencies are trying to determine the best way to appropriate these funds without the addition of new officers, while still having to meet their mandated homeland security requirements. The Miami-Dade Police Department, for example, has seen its role in homeland security and counter-terrorism increase dramatically in the last decade. Prior to 2001, the Miami PD only had to supply one police officer to Miami International Airport, but now they are tasked by the Federal Government to provide forty officers.[2]

Unfortunately, this has created personnel issues at many agencies. Municipalities which used to hold only a minor role in counter-terrorism, now find themselves short on qualified officers to fulfill that role. However, there is a positive side for officers already working at these agencies. With a large influx of money that's earmarked for training, many officers have the unique opportunity to get some formal counter-terrorism training or receive an intelligence degree online. Such training can consist of anything ranging from working towards a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the many disciplines within the field of strategic security, or a certificate in a targeted discipline. Since the agencies cannot hire new agents to fill requirements for homeland security set by the government, they have to train officers in-house. This will serve as a windfall to any existing officer looking to further their career. By utilizing these funds and taking counter-terrorism training or getting an intelligence degree online, an officer can get a real "leg-up" and move into an area of Law Enforcement that is not going anywhere for a long time.[3] The partnership of State and Local Law Enforcement with the Federal Government in the counter-terrorism effort is going to be a long-term solution to a long-term threat. So if you're currently a Law Enforcement officer, it may be time for you to start looking into counter-terrorism training or into getting an intelligence degree online. Your department most likely has the funds and it will only serve to make you a valued, long-term asset in the all important battle for homeland security.

[1] Spadanuta, Laura. "Counter Terror and Homeland Security Work Presents Challenges for Law Enforcement". Security Management. Jul 2010. Available Online at URL: http://www.securitymanagement.com/news/counter-terror-and-homeland-security-work-present-challenges-law-enforcement-008765. Accessed: 08 Aug 11. [2] Spadanuta, Laura. "Counter Terror and Homeland Security Work Presents Challenges for Law Enforcement". Security Management. Jul 2010. Available Online at URL: http://www.securitymanagement.com/news/counter-terror-and-homeland-security-work-present-challenges-law-enforcement-008765. Accessed: 08 Aug 11. [3] Louis M. Davis, Michael Pollard, Kevin Ward, Jeremy M. Wilson, Danielle M. Varda, Lydia Hansell and Paul Steinburg. "Long-Term Effects of Law Enforcement's Post-9/11 Focus on Counterterrorism and Homeland Security". RAND Institute. 2010.

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