NCJ Number
74480
Journal
Assets Protection Volume: 5 Issue: 6 Dated: (November/December 1980) Pages: 21-24
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A program of counterterrorism training for law enforcement professionals in Winchester, Va., is described.
Abstract
The program's philosophy is that the trained professional is the only effective counterweight to the determined terrorist who enjoys the advantages of surprise and initiative. Experienced security professionals provide participants with thorough training in defensive driving techniques and with a program of familiarization with a variety of firearms that are often used by terrorists. Practical firearm instruction includes such techniques as shooting from moving vehicles; the instruction is constantly updated by reference to field experience of terroristic attacks in various parts of the world. Furthermore, an introduction to explosives is offered. The program combines practical exercises designed to bring together all that the participants have learned and experienced and creates a realistic test of responses under crisis conditions. The exercises are designed to confront participants with frequent surprises. A recent program offered three such exercises. Two involved the assassination of protected figures, the first during the course of a scenic tour through the country and the second in a crowded shopping mall. The third called for the forced kidnapping of one of the class members. The victim was conveyed -- hooded and handcuffed -- to an isolated farmhouse where a search party of other participants had to bargain for the victim's freedom. Photographs and footnotes are included. For other articles, see NCJ 74479.