1

Homeland Security S&T Summit (SE Region)

Topic: A survey of law enforcement/homeland security preparedness in the southeastern United States

Title: Law Enforcement/Homeland Security Regional Technology Assessment

Speaker: Lee Reese, principal investigator, Police Chief (retired)

Joseph Fitzgerald, associate investigator

Saliant Incorporated

Date: April 7, 2009

2

Topic: A survey of law enforcement/homeland security preparedness in the southeastern United States

Application to first Responders:

• Participants learned from the process (28 page survey; short surveys and interviews); learned from principal investigator and published report’s recommendations and best practices (final report >125 pages)

Application to Preparedness:

• a tool to examine preparedness (or lack of) for law enforcement agencies in the southeast; to improve collaborative efforts

Application to the Southeast:

• Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi were studied

Homeland Security S&T Summit (SE Region)

Selected Results

3

From a law enforcement standpoint, to what extent do you believe your readiness to prevent, protect and prepare for terrorist acts and natural disasters have improved?

Selected Results

4

What are the 5 most important homeland security capabilities or capacities for law enforcement for your agency or department and region? [by top three responses]

Selected Results

5

Is your agency, or anyone that you know, integrated

or connected into a state or regional threat surveillance system

Selected Results

6

Is there a need for a homeland security regional/state/multi-state training center?

Recommendations

7

• Metrics need to be defined and independent assessment performed

• Make greater use of regional “hubs” to leverage regional resources and capabilities

• Consider establishment of a Southeastern Homeland Security Leadership Academy

• Take steps to strengthen homeland security commitment at the district level

• Improve awareness of and actions to improve regional law enforcement resiliency

Collaborative Opportunities

8

•Regional HLS resources need to be developed; option of multi-state southeast regional HLS research, education, and training center should be explored•Intra- and interstate cooperation for HLS uneven; States and local departments need to revisit current authorities, agreements, and programs•Rural LE represents majority of departments in region, but lack time and resources for adequate HLS training•Concept of a HUB or lead department in the region needs further exploration•Resiliency of LE response function of training (including cross-training), contingency manpower, and regional support varies considerably within SE region

9

Topic: A survey of law enforcement/homeland security preparedness in the southeastern United States

Summary: Law enforcement has obtained training and equipment through grants; however, improvement is needed in many areas

Take-Aways:

• Training was felt to be the most important HS capability

• Most cities are an island unto themselves; interoperable communications within a region are undeveloped

• Need common standards to measure progress

• use of regional “hubs” allows for use of regional resources

Homeland Security S&T Summit (SE Region)

See our poster session: “(insert title here)”