Police Chiefs: Terror Threat Still Real
With 9/11 still in everyone’s mind, NewMajority interviewed Cathy Lanier, the Washington D.C. Police Chief, and William Bratton, the outgoing Los Angeles Police Chief, on how they intend to protect their cities from another terrorist attack. These two cities are in the top three of the most vulnerable to terrorism. Bratton has run the Los Angeles Police since being appointed in 2002 while Chief Lanier has run the Washington D.C. Police since 2007.
Former CIA and FBI officials as well as the former Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff, were asked by NewMajority if they think the terrorist threat is still significant. They all were in agreement that the threat is very real. A former CIA official commented that the danger is the “possibility of bombings in public transportation centers but also threats to the cities infrastructures such as water plants, electrical supply systems…” Commander McNamara, LAPD’s counter terrorism head, explained to NewMajority that she wishes Americans would react similarly to Israeli citizens. She noted that the Israelis “get it. They understand the threat. They know what to do. Unfortunately here in America we are not as concerned.”
To keep their cities safe, each chief wants a close relationship with the FBI. Lanier personally meets regularly with her FBI counterparts while Bratton gets reports from his counter terrorism head, Commander Joan McNamara. She noted that “because of the geographical stretch of L.A. (460 sq mi), there is no way Chief Bratton can be involved in all operational aspects. Chief Lanier is able to do it because Washington D.C. is more geographically centered.”
Both police chiefs wish to change the rank and file mindset from a reactive one to a preventative one. Chief Lanier commented that “I am on call all the time.” She analogized that she is like the general that goes into combat with her troops. One way to make their cities more secure against crime and terrorism was to increase the number of “foot soldiers” on patrol.” Chief Bratton wanted “LA to move as aggressively as New York City.” Both chiefs felt that by better understanding the existing criminal networks they can look for any vulnerability to terrorist cells.
Chief Bratton’s insight and innovation encouraged the LAPD community to take a leadership role in fighting the War on Terror. Two programs implemented by LAPD were Suspicious Activity Recording Systems (SARS) and IWATCH. Richard Marquise, a former FBI agent, now works with police departments on how to prevent a terrorist attack. He explained that “the real key to preventing the next terrorist act is the proper collection, analysis, and sharing of information. From my perspective both chiefs do it well and have great reputations.”
One of the creators of SARS, Commander McNamara, told NewMajority she was given the go ahead by Chief Bratton. She explained that they decided that American cities must be protected by training patrol officers to look for common threads and indicators. They also are responsible for making reports which now go out nationally. She commented that “we watch for patterns and use codes as indicators for standardized reporting for all local enforcement in America.” Chief Bratton proudly commented that “we (LAPD) are widely recognized at the national level as being a very creative partner in dealing with the terrorists.”
IWATCH is similar to SARS but involves the civilian aspect. Bratton defined this program as “reminding, educating, and getting local communities involved in detecting suspicious activity, because it is every American’s obligation to help protect their neighborhood and city.” Commander McNamara summarized it as “IWATCH, I report, I keep us safe… it is an extension of the neighborhood watch.”
Chief Bratton also sees the need to make sure local law enforcement is in the loop regarding actionable intelligence. He will soon implement the first counter-terrorism center stationed in the LAPD headquarters, which is the first of its kind nationally. He told NewMajority that this will allow LAPD to meet regularly with their federal counterparts to “help prevent the next attack because we will be allowed to view high level intelligence.”
Chief Lanier was also very innovative in creating a program to get businesses involved in helping protect America’s national security. She implemented a business form of SARS which is "an outreach program to target and engage businesses that are most vulnerable for terrorist’s to use." Chief Lanier believes that by using technology, she can get the community involved. She feels that “new equipment can be used for detection, deterrence, and response. I think we have increased the use of technology in the last three years about 300%. I am always looking at the new technology used by the private sector to see if it can be helpful.”
When asked about these programs, former Homeland Secretary Chertoff , who recently wrote the book em>Homeland Security<, stated to NewMajority that Homeland Security “worked closely with Chief Bratton and Chief Lanier. I am a strong supporter of SARS. It is a very powerful tool going forward. I think there is a great deal of information that could be shared in that kind of forum… It is important for everybody to be involved in the full spectrum of preparation and preparedness in dealing with terrorism.”
Do these chiefs want to affect national security by becoming political leaders? They are in agreement that they do not want to enter the political arena. Chief Bratton stated that “politics is of no interest to me” while Chief Lanier commented that “I am a career police officer. Most police officers are allergic to politics.”
Chief Lanier and Chief Bratton feel all local law enforcement agencies should work together. This is obvious in how they view each other. Chief Bratton told NewMajority that “Cathy and I are good friends. I highly respect her.” Chief Lanier noted that “we work alongside LAPD for many of these programs”, and “I idolized Chief Bratton coming up through the ranks. He has a great reputation nationally.”