NCJ Number
65306
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 181-187
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES TERRORISM AS CRIME, AND HOW THE POLICE AND THE MILITARY COOPERATE TO COMBAT INCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE EXPLOSIVES.
Abstract
TRADITIONAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE MILITARY IN DISPOSING OF EXPLOSIVES HAS INCREASED AS TERRORISM HAS GROWN MORE SOPHISTICATED. TERRORISTS NOW HAVE ACCESS TO MILITARY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS ARMOR-PIERCING FIREARMS, GRENADES, GUIDED MISSILES, AND DEADLY EXPLOSIVES. WITH COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION INCREASING AMONG TERRORIST GROUPS, ENTIRE NATIONS MAY BE THREATENED AND EFFECTIVE COUNTERMEASURES ARE GREATLY NEEDED. ALTHOUGH TERRORISTS ARE CRIMINALS, AND UNDOUBTEDLY A POLICE RESPONSIBILITY, THEY PRESENT SPECIAL PROBLEMS. MANY OF THEIR WEAPONS MAY BE UNFAMILIAR TO CONVENTIONAL POLICE AND THEY WILL TAX OVERLOADED POLICE FORCES. MOREOVER TERRORISTS DO NOT HAVE SIMPLE CRIMINAL MOTIVES AND WILL POSSESS EXPERT TRAINING. POLICE CAN BE TRAINED FOR ANTI-TERRORIST DUTY, PROVIDED ACTIVITY IS LOW AND DEVICES RELATIVELY SIMPLE. ALTHOUGH SPECIAL, ANTI-TERRORIST PARAMILITARY FORCES CAN BE EFFECTIVE, THEY ARE EXPENSIVE, DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN WHEN TERRORIST ACTIVITY IS LOW AND DEVICES RELATIVELY SIMPLE. ALTHOUGH SPECIAL, ANTI-TERRORIST PARAMILITARY FORCES CAN BE EFFECTIVE, THEY ARE EXPENSIVE, DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN WHEN TERRORIST ACTIVITY IS LOW, AND PRESENT PROBLEMS OF RESEARCH AND INFORMATION. A COMBINATION OF ARMY AND CONVENTIONAL POLICE FORCES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO COMBAT TERRORISM. (PAP)