The Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI) training strategy is a multifaceted approach designed to increase the effectiveness of state, local, and tribal law enforcement and public safety professionals and other frontline partners in identifying, reporting, evaluating, and sharing pre-incident terrorism indicators to prevent future acts of terrorism. To increase the effectiveness of this multifaceted approach, the NSI has developed training programs for frontline officers, analysts, and chief executives regarding the behaviors and indicators of terrorism-related criminal activity.
While continuing to provide high-quality training for the law enforcement community, the NSI has developed SAR awareness training for other key non-law enforcement constituencies, or “hometown security partners,” that are important to the SAR effort. The National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office (NMIO), in partnership with NSI and in coordination with the United States Coast Guard, is bringing another SAR awareness training program to the public, specifically to the maritime industry and the port facilities they work in. The program’s purpose is not to empower port and private safety officials to act on behalf of law enforcement but to have them understand the critical role they play in identifying and reporting suspicious activity to federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement.
Outreach and Coordination
As the NMIO/NSI partnership matures and our program moves forward, community outreach will greatly aid in addressing the concerns of citizens and advocates by demonstrating that agencies engaged in the SAR process have adopted and maintain appropriate privacy and civil liberties safeguards.
The “If You See Something, Say Something™” public awareness campaign, America’s Waterway Watch, and the NSI all underscore the notion that homeland security begins with hometown security, where an alert public plays a critical role in keeping our nation safe.
Future Plans
NMIO and NSI plan to complete the development of the Maritime SAR Initiative training by the summer of 2013. Additionally, starting in the spring of 2013, NSI, NMIO, DHS, FBI, and the USCG will be partnering and visiting 10 selected U.S. port facilities to increase NSI awareness and capture “best practices” regarding the SAR program in each port. One goal for the port visits is to enhance information sharing between state and major urban area fusion centers and port authorities that will lead to increased and more efficient suspicious activity reporting. This combined training effort will serve to educate those professions within the maritime industry that have a great potential for being exposed to indicators and behaviors associated with criminal and/or terrorist activity.
For More Information
For a better understanding of NMIO and its mission, visit http://nmio.ise.gov. Also, visit http://nsi.ncirc.gov/ for more information about the NSI and current training opportunities.
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