Frank Ferreira’s Post

The United States does not have federally mandated minimums for police officer training due to historical and constitutional reasons. The 10th Amendment of the Constitution limits the federal government's power to mandate standards, and instead states are responsible for making and enforcing laws to protect the public. This decentralized approach to police training results with some states requiring as little as six months of basic training, while others require as much as nine months. However, the average basic training does not address response to terrorist incidents or equip first responders to effectively respond to these types of attacks. However, the federal government can use grant funding as a way to encourage states to meet recommended training standards. For example, The Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act of 2022 provides training for law enforcement officers and covered mental health professionals on de-escalation tactics when responding to an individuals experiencing mental health crisis. Similarly, Congress should enact legislation that would enable first responders to receive training to respond effectively to terrorism if we are to meet the National Preparedness Goal of “A secure and resilient Nation.” At ASTI, our mission is to LEARN from past attacks, MASTER best practices, and PREPARE first responders to confront acts of terrorism and mass casualties. #Congress #firstrespondertraining #nationalpreparednessgoal

While awaiting the results of the investigation into the attempted Trump assassination, what is apparent from an operational perspective is that the farther we get from September 11th, 2001, the closer we get to September 10th, 2001. From a big-picture point of view, I think that we now live with a September 10th mentality. Remember, one of the things that happened on September 10th and then on September 11th was that law enforcement and intelligence were not talking to each other. In the immediate period after the terrorist attacks on that Tuesday in September, we were fortunate; we've done a lot of good work, we've worked with partners, and we've killed a lot of terrorists, but now, in present times, we have other problems here that affect the first responder community and their ability to operate effectively. You have law enforcement, maybe lax, not paying enough attention, maybe focused on other things that they shouldn't, and you have an open border for the last three and a half years, which adds to the uncertainty. The terrifying thing to me is that we are in a very vulnerable situation at a time when our expectations for what we need from Americans First Responders and our Federal Partners as the most exceptional country with the most extraordinary talent of public servants are that we need to do better for our citizens. Thank goodness President Trump had the presence of mind and the instinct to insist to the Secret Service that he could rise and tell everyone he was okay. But whether he wins the election, President Biden continues, or somebody else does, we have got to get back to thinking like we did on September 11th, not like September 10th. #neverforgetseptember11

Bloodbath: Trump says there'll be a bloodbath if he isn't elected. Many US politicians agree. This graph shows if it's on the minds of Americans. Back in November 2023 we asked whether civil war/unrest is likely in 2024. This is an update: https://lnkd.in/e74KZSeY #threatdetection #incidentresponse #securityincident #majorincident #incidentmanagement #protest #criticaleventmanagement #riskmanagement #incident #airiskmanagement

Are you Ready for the new “Protect Duty – Martyns Law” The bill is the legislative response to the findings of the Manchester Arena Inquiry. It is designed to reduce the risk to the public from terrorism by the protection of public venues – increasing national security and personal safety. Please click the link to our website to read more information and any updates after the consultation: https://lnkd.in/ea6PNmi3 #martynslaw #healthandsafety #healthandsafetyatwork

NEW: "A Credible List": Recommendations for the Secretary-General's 2024 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict In its eighth annual policy note, Watchlist makes recommendations to the UN Secretary-General regarding the list of perpetrators of grave violations against children in his forthcoming annual report on children and armed conflict. Watchlist’s 29-page report, “A Credible List”: Recommendations for the Secretary-General’s 2024 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, provides information on grave violations committed against children in 20 country situations in 2023. Drawing on UN-verified information and other credible accounts, the report recommends that 24 parties in 15 situations be added to the Secretary-General’s ‘list of shame,’ listed for additional violations, or investigated further with a view towards possible listing. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/ejbHdaSf

Disappointing. Disheartening. Those are the two words I would use for the testimony of the Commandant at the congressional hearing. As a professional who has literally prepared flag officers for tough briefings, I cringed through most of this hearing. And before anyone gets on me about how difficult these hearings are, and the pressure, etc. 1. Remember what I do for a living. 2. Remember I was a CG officer who did high level public affairs (which includes congressional affairs) 3. She is the leader of the an entire armed service and it is expected she be able to lead under pressure a lot scarier than some congresspeople asking questions. While I am going to rewatch the testimony to compare it to the written statement my initial takeaways are: 1.   There was absolutely NOTHING about the Commandant's presence, statements, or responses that instilled any hope or trust in me as a survivor that they are doing anything about this other than playing a shell game hoping people get distracted and leave them alone. 2. The way the Coast Guard answered the questions of Congress came across defensive and uncooperative. 3. There was a complete lack of accountability from the Commandant and a lot of blame passing. 4. There was no commitment to taking any sort of action for the cover-up, in fact she all but denied it was a coverup with the words “it was a mistake” even after being shown the evidence it was a conscious decision by the previous command. 5. What is taking so long, it has been a year since this broke on CNN. “we will cooperate with the IG” when apparently there is some dithering on getting the investigation going by the CG? It was seriously unclear in the answers? 5.    The Commandant would not commit to meeting with the Coast Guard Academy whistleblower, nor had she read the SARC's statement though she had seen the CNN story. I know there are going to be a number of Coasties in my connections wondering how dare I post like this...my response to you is how dare you turn your back on survivors and not demand more from CG leadership than this? https://lnkd.in/gkC6gvJk https://lnkd.in/gj-6WpT4

To advance the homeland security enterprise, organizations should leverage partners beyond traditional law enforcement and include industry in long-term federal planning. Read the Homeland Security Enterprise Forum (HSEF) report, summarizing insights and recommendations from the event: https://lnkd.in/eAt74TaY. The Homeland Security Experts Group

The latest Badges & Banter episode is live! If you're looking for insights and stories from Public Safety professionals in an authentic and engaging way, don’t miss this one. Each episode dives deep into the real world challenges and experiences on the job—full of stories and takeaways you won’t get anywhere else. Tune in and check it out here! #GenasysPodcast #CivilUnrest #CrisisResponse #PublicSafety #BadgesandBanter

As Director of Advance & Trip Director for Vice President Al Gore, I have a unique perspective on/critical reaction to the bipartisan U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee interim report on the investigation into the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt. The Senate report and much of the discussion about the assassination attempt focuses on U.S. Secret Service (USSS) advance preparations & the failures immediately prior to the shooting. Having participated in numerous USSS training sessions at their facility in Beltsville, MD and having traveled in advance of numerous Presidential candidates and w/ a sitting Vice President and President on more than 200 domestic & foreign missions, I have the benefit of knowledge gained through my collaboration with USSS. I would argue that mistakes made include the protective detail's actions immediately following the shooting; actions that put Mr. Trump in further danger by failing to follow protocol. The first lapse by USSS was their failure to immediately remove the Principal (Trump) from the scene. Mr. Trump himself wisely dropped to the ground where he was quickly covered by the USSS detail. Once they had him covered, however, things went further awry. USSS claims they were assessing the former President's physical condition and waiting to receive a SitRep (Situation Report) before lifting him to his feet and moving him to the more secure limo. At several points during this time various agents are heard to say, "Are we good?' and the affirmative command "On your move" can be heard repeatedly. Action was not taken, though, and Trump was left in a vulnerable position. Only after receiving word that "the shooter" was "down" and after :55 seconds did agents stand and surround (but not fully cover) Trump. They had no information at this point, however, as to whether there were others involved. Rather than immediately removing him from the stage they stood for an additional :42 seconds with Trump in the open. With Trump not fully protected, they allowed him to direct the situation ("Let me get my shoes! Let me get my shoes. Let me get my shoes." and "Wait. Wait."). Still on the stage and again, not fully covered, Trump was allowed to stop repeatedly to raise a fist to the crowd and chant "Fight!" before allowing USSS agents to remove him from the stage. Once off the stage the agents quickly moved him to the repositioned "secure package" (a smaller motorcade comprised of the limo, other essential vehicles and senior staff) for departure to the local hospital. It took USSS a full :90 to move the former President off the stage; more than enough time for something else to have potentially taken place. The combination of operational mistakes and USSS allowing the Principal to dictate their movements greatly contributed to the failures on site.

👮♂️ 🚒 #Security is not just about police, military, and civil protection. Pia Fuhrhop's perspective suggests a broad understanding of security that encompasses far more than just protection from external threats. For example: 🌱💧 Security also includes environmental protection, such as ensuring secure access to water. This involves guaranteeing clean drinking water is readily available and implementing measures to combat water scarcity and pollution. 💪🛡️ Furthermore, security should also address social justice issues, such as sexual violence. This involves implementing measures to prevent assaults, providing support for victims, and strengthening legal and social structures to combat sexual violence and minimize its impact. 🔒 Join us in exploring this expanded notion of security in the upcoming issue of #acatechHORIZONS that is released next Monday! 📰 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eD_eqKtT 📅 Mark your calendars and stay tuned! #Safety #WaterSecurity #ViolencePrevention