NCJ Number
225466
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 77 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2008 Pages: 12-16
Date Published
November 2008
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This brief article discusses the assignment of police officers to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).
Abstract
The article discusses perceived mutual benefits derived from the assignment of local police officers to counter-terrorism operations. Research indicates that the FBI benefits from having officers assigned to JTTFs, and its efforts are enhanced by additional personnel with street-level experience and knowledge of local jurisdictions. Conversely, it is noted that police departments also benefit from having an officer assigned to a JTTF. Task Force Officers (TFOs) often undergo extensive specialized training, gain additional investigative experience, and manage complex JTTF investigations during their tenure. In addition, they may potentially have other opportunities for professional development through temporary assignments to FBI Headquarters and overseas duties. Eventually, TFOs gain full clearances and receive U.S. Marshall special deputization. The assignment of an officer to the JTTF proves beneficial to both the FBI and the police agency, as the paper indicates that the police department has a real-time representative involved in the local war on terror, while the FBI has an officer with street-level experience involved in thwarting local terrorist cells within the community. As a result, both parties more effectively can achieve their goal: detecting and disrupting terrorist networks in a given community, thus keeping the citizens they serve safe. 5 notes