As with each violent incident on U.S. soil prior to it, the Boston Marathon terror attack on April 15th provoked deep introspection into what potential intelligence failures may have occurred, what security measures were overlooked, and what resources were not properly utilized. And while there is an ongoing active debate as to whether or not this terror act has discredited some levels of law enforcement, what should be examined are ways to buttress the skill-levels of the local police forces through strategic security courses and anti-terrorism officer training. After all, the Boston Marathon is held every year; it is an internationally-renowned event, drawing people from all over the world to compete. As such, along with other high profile public events, it was a likely target for terror. The City of Boston police force is 2,136 strong and was ranked in 2010 as 15th largest police force in the United States and 14th in the ratio of police to each 10,000 city residents. Whil
e these statistics do not address the professional quality of the force, the argument exists for anti-terrorism officer training to be provided to all active-duty officers. In addition, strategic security courses would make officers more aware of potential threats while managing such a highly-publicized event. The question is how to train so many officers.
In 2009, the RAND Corporation conducted a study on the long-term impact of 9/11 on police forces and the challenges they encounter in trying to be up-to-date in the most current anti-terrorism officer training while responding to other demands, such as budgeting and keeping enough officers on the streets. The Boston PD was one of the five law enforcement agencies that RAND evaluated in their study. Two of the major challenges that RAND determined were how to train officers effectively at minimal cost and how to ascertain reliable training sources/methods. There are a large number of organizations that claim to offer an assortment of strategic security courses, certificates and other forms of security training. Independent of this study, the Boston PD appeared to find a solution to these problems as the Department encouraged officers to take continuing education opportunities through proven, qualified online learning. This allowed officers to take classes without having to spe
nd time in a formal classroom, as well as reducing costs to the city in the form of overtime paid to the officers when the officers are required to be in a resident class. It would also reduce costs associated with travel, time/space booking, and the other aspects that come into play when organizing a class event. However, there does not appear to be any evidence that Boston has applied this concept to anti-terrorism officer training.
The Boston marathon terror attack demonstrates how any police department should enhance efforts in providing its officers strategic security courses that will supplement their current training with enhanced skills and techniques for special events like the Boston Marathon as well as in their day-to-day operations. Identifying legitimate facilitators for this training is a difficult task; but there are some guidelines that can be followed to separate the quality professional education from the less-qualified opportunists: first, review the offerings of online schools that are accredited through the U.S. Department of Education - this will indicate that the school has been reviewed and meets federal standards for education and training. Second, examine online schools that offer both degrees and certificates in strategic security, intelligence analysis, protection and anti-terrorism; this is beneficial because the certificates are generally at a lower cost and a more feasible op
tion for budget-minded departments. Officers who want to expand their credentialing by obtaining a degree will trust educational sources that have been verified by their employer. Third, assess whether or not these schools employ instructors who have "in-the-field" experience in areas such as law enforcement; the students will not just be learning theory but gaining the knowledge to meet and resolve real-world problems.
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Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, strategic security courses, anti-terrorism officer training, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu
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