NCJ Number
130328
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 58 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 36-38,40
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Wide-scale international terrorism has not occurred in the United States largely due to the United States' distance from terrorist "hot spots" and the professionalism of U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
One factor in the relatively low number of international terrorist incidents in the United States is the Nation's geographic distance from the network of terrorist training sites, sanctuaries, and political and economic support systems. Although there are cells of major terrorist groups in the United States, in the past these groups have chosen targets that allow them to strike and retreat quickly into reliable sanctuaries. A shift in the world situation, however, could cause these groups to engage in bolder tactics. The most important factor in America's defense against terrorism is the sophistication and professionalism of its law enforcement agencies. Through the use of technology, intelligence, international liaison, infiltration, and effective enforcement tactics, the Nation's defenses against terrorism have been formidable. An important component in the Nation's competence in defending against terrorism is the anti-terrorism training provided by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga., which offers advanced programs in physical security and anti-terrorism to Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.