Counterterrorism Initiatives

The APD Counterterrorism Bureau (CTB) is the city's primary local resource to guard against the threat of international and domestic terrorism in partnership with the counterterrorism bureaus of the New York City police department and other police departments around the world. 

The CT Bureau reviews possible terrorist targets and develops innovative, forward-thinking policies and procedures to guard against attacks, training first responders and specialized units and developing intelligence capabilities for detecting and preventing terrorist attacks. The bureau coordinates with federal, state, and other law enforcement agencies in intelligence gathering and sharing, and plays an integral role in the FBI's Joint Terrorist Task Force.

One of the largest police agencies in the world is also a part of the Global Shield Network and will be working side by side with APD on all terrorism related matters that effect the public and private sector.

Counterterrorism Division (CTD) has wide-ranging responsibilities, working with multiple agencies involving:

• APD Shield manages the Department's public-private security partnership, providing information to the private sector and addressing concerns from the private sector
• The APD Video Production Unit uses video and other technology for various counterterrorism projects
• The APD Training Section develops and delivers counterterrorism training to the patrol force and to other law enforcement agencies and private sector entities;
• The APD Threat Reduction Infrastructure Protection Section (TRIPS) identifies critical infrastructure sites throughout the region and develops protective strategies for these sites;
• The APD Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Section researches and tests emerging technologies used to detect and combat chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive weapons, and develops plans and policies for their use
• The APD Cobra Unit develops and delivers hazmat operations level training regarding CBRNE threats
• Physical Security Section assesses the needs for large scale citywide events and deploys those necessary assets
• APD Special Projects is our partner project with federal and DOD agencies regarding the detection, mitigation, and response regarding Unmanned Ariel Systems
• Interagency Intelligence Section consists of liaisons to over 20 agencies. They examine and analyze information and intelligence from a multitude of classified and open source resources

Bomb Squad is charged with the investigation and mitigation of suspicious packages, devices, and articles found throughout the city. They are responsible for rendering safe, dismantling, transporting, and disposing of bombs, explosives, incendiary devices, and dangerous chemicals. They work in conjunction with the Crime Scene Unit to search for, identify, collect, and forward explosive related forensic evidence in support of investigations. 

Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF) is a multi-law enforcement agency that includes APD detectives and FBI special agents who investigate terrorism in the panhandle and around the world. This partnership with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies provides the APD with access to national level classified intelligence and the ability to analyze and share its own intelligence on the federal level.

Domain Awareness System (DAS) is a powerful counterterrorism and policing tool jointly developed and built by the NYPD and Microsoft. As a central platform, DAS is used to aggregate data from internal and external closed-circuit television cameras, license plate readers, and environmental sensors, as well as 911 calls and other APD databases. DAS uses an interactive dashboard interface to display real-time alerts whenever a 911 call is received or a sensor is triggered.

Terrorism Threat Analysis Group performs strategic intelligence analysis and disseminates this information, both open-source and classified, to the appropriate recipients in the Department, the private sector, the U.S. intelligence community, and other law enforcement agencies.

Community Involvement is Key and the APD believes terrorists may portray themselves as legitimate customers in order to purchase or lease certain materials or equipment, or to undergo certain formalized training to acquire important skills or licenses. There is also a concern that these individuals may simply steal certain types of vehicles, equipment or materials from the inventory of legitimate businesses. Whatever the method, once appropriated these items could then be used to facilitate a terrorist plot.

The APD actively encourages business owners, operators and their employees to apply their particular business and industry knowledge and experience against each customer transaction or encounter to discern anything unusual or suspicious and to report such instances to authorities.

If you agree to join our network, one of our staff members will explain why certain types of businesses may be attractive to a terrorist operative and provide a list of indicators – specifically tailored to that business -- to use as a reference. Once visited, these businesses receive a framed certificate and become participants in the APD “Shield Network” to serve as a first alert mechanism to help protect our community and country against the threat of another terror attack. It is important to note that participation in this network is not limited to the City of Alliance businesses.

Terrorist attacks do not occur in a vacuum. They require planning and preparation, such as the acquisition of certain materials or training in targeted activities. Terrorist operatives will try to obtain these in the private sector, from businesses both inside and outside of Alliance’s geographic boundaries. Moreover, their approach to a business will vary, from entering a store and standing directly in front of a customer-service counter to making an electronic purchase over the Internet at a company’s website. Call 308-762-4955 or Email COMMENTS@BBCPUBLICSAFETY.US