Congressional Record: July 29, 2002 (Extensions)
Page E1444


 
        THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERSHIP TO COMBAT TERRORISM ACT

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                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Law 
Enforcement Partnership to Combat Terrorism Act. This legislation seeks 
to designate 25 percent of available COPS grant funding for the hiring 
and training of intelligence officers and analysts by state and local 
police departments, in an effort to further promote our nations anti-
terrorism efforts.
  Much has changed since September 11, 2001. With a heightened 
awareness of the devastating effects of terrorism, our nation is 
undergoing change on every level, in order to ensure that National and 
Homeland Security are at the forefront of our agenda.
  As the Chairman of the House Armed Services Special Oversight Panel 
on Terrorism, I have played an active role in many of these 
initiatives. While many important steps have already been taken in 
fighting the war of terrorism, I believe that more can be done to 
ensure a concentrated, connected, nation-wide effort.
  To this end, I feel that it is imperative to enhance the anti-
terrorism efforts of our police departments, as opposed to simply 
providing funding for the traditional community policing efforts. 
Designating 25 percent of available COPS funding to increase the number 
of law enforcement officers involved in activities that are focused on 
intelligence efforts is an important step in this direction.
  The Law Enforcement Partnership to Combat Terrorism Act states that 
specialized training will be provided for one intelligence officer and 
one analyst officer per grant recipient. Such training will include 
enhancing the officers' observation, information gathering, foreign 
language, and analytic skills necessary to spot terrorist threats in 
their communities. These officers, in turn, will be able to share their 
skills with the other members of their police force. In addition, my 
legislation directs the Attorney General to ensure that all 
intelligence and analyst officers have top secret security clearances. 
Such security clearances will allow these State and local law 
enforcement officers to share information with Federal officials, 
facilitating a concentrated effort.
  By providing the necessary funding, we can further promote 
coordination among Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers 
to ensure an interconnected, concentrated effort in our war on 
terrorism. I am confident that these efforts will be successful in 
allowing state and local law enforcement officers to play a vital role 
in the enhancement of our Homeland Security.

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