NCJ Number
204411
Journal
Homeland Defense Journal Volume: 1 Issue: 9 Dated: December 2003 Pages: 28-32
Date Published
December 2003
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the procedure and curriculum content used to train Los Angeles police officers in managing threats and possible events that involve terrorist weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Abstract
The Los Angeles Police Department established a training design team that included experts with extensive knowledge of terrorism and the handling of WMD incidents. The design team established the following training objectives: preparing officers to respond safely and effectively during WMD incidents; preparing officers to demonstrate the application of WMD and Incident Command System procedures; preparing officers to differentiate between WMD incidents and other terrorist and criminal incidents; instructing officers in the knowledge of terms and elements associated with terrorism; and preparing officers to review WMD ethical dilemmas encountered by law enforcement agencies. Parameters were set for the training in terms of the number of students to be trained, the number of hours of training needed, the number of instructors needed, and the duration of the training. One of the main learning points of the training was based on the well-known WMD acronym called SIN (safety, isolation, and notification). Regarding "safety," first responders must be able to identify quickly the signs of a WMD and protect themselves and others from it. First responders must also "isolate" the WMD incident and keep all unprotected personnel away from the scene. First responders must "notify" appropriate public safety personnel who will be responsible for handling the "hot zone," the area where the WMD material was deployed. It is also important for law enforcement students to recognize that a WMD incident is what is known in the trade as a "homicide by HAZMAT," so law enforcement personnel must follow all relevant homicide investigative procedures once the area is rendered safe. In addition to providing initial training of first responders, political support is needed to purchase the expensive gas masks and personal protective equipment, and ongoing training is required to keep officers updated on the latest WMD procedures.