RI Law Enforcement Attend Anti-Terrorism Training Program
Rhode Island Law Enforcement, Security Professionals Attend Anti-Terrorism Training Program
PROVIDENCE, RI – On Thursday, approximately seventy officers, agents and homeland security professionals were hosted by the Providence Police Department for a United States Attorney’s Antiterrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) training event.
Attendees received training on the potential for domestic threats, including training in the detection of homemade explosives and emerging threats, including the unlawful use of Unmanned Arial Vehicles. Presentations were provided by the United States Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and the Rhode Island Fire Marshal’s Bomb Squad.
Created on September 12, 2001, in response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the ATAC, originally known as the Anti-terrorism Task Force (ATTF), has been delivering anti-terrorism and national security related training to state, local and federal law enforcement partners, as well as to private industry stakeholders across Rhode Island.
The ATAC routinely provides information sharing on current and emerging threats to our national security, and serves as a nucleus for special focused initiatives and working groups in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigations Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Rhode Island Fusion Center to deliver a three pronged approach to combat terrorism and broad spectrum threats to the homeland.
United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch commented, “The United States Attorney’s Office proudly supports and partners with local, state and federal law enforcement on a regular basis. Training and information sharing helps us better achieve our joint goal of protecting the residents of Rhode Island from terrorism and other threats to public safety.”
“The Secret Service is proud of our collaboration and partnership with the public safety community across Rhode Island, and this joint training is just another example of the excellent information sharing that exists in this region,” said Brian Deck, Resident Agent in Charge of the Providence Resident Office.
“Our mission at the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives is to combat violent crime. We do this by working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners. ATF deploys an Intelligence driven investigative strategy and this training is an example of the law enforcement cooperation to ensure the security of our nation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Kwak.
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