NCJ Number
214916
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 75 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 1-7
Date Published
June 2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes how the Crisis Action Team has made the Suffolk County Police Department better prepared for both civil unrest situations and homeland security responsibilities.
Abstract
In responding to potential attacks against the United States involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD), along with civil unrest due to such an attack, the Suffolk County, NY, Police Department implemented its Crisis Action Team (CAT). CAT is a small, well-equipped, and highly trained force. They receive training in conventional field-force techniques combined with WMD. CAT consists of about 40 individuals from various sections of the department which include: SWAT, hazardous material response, and technical rescue units and its bomb squad. CAT is a group that allows personnel from these entities to work more effectively and efficiently. CAT has made the Suffolk County Police Department better prepared for both civil unrest situations and homeland security responsibilities. It offers great utility and flexibility for responding to both man-made and naturally occurring events. CAT is both proactive and reactive as it serves to prevent, detect, deter, and mitigate the myriad of threats facing Suffolk County. 4 endnotes