HOMELAND SECURITY
In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the nation moved quickly to respond to this threat of terrorism. Domestic and international terrorism was and continues to remain a threat to America, with terrorist's primary goal to cause mass casualties and inflict damage upon the United States economy and critical infrastructure. California, and the City of Long Beach, has considerable high-risk potential targets, which demand attention and preparation to defend against potential terrorist attacks. As such, the Long Beach Police Department created the Homeland Security Section to address a broad variety of needs associated with homeland security.
The Homeland Security Section was put in place to conduct Department of Homeland Security threat and vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructure/key assets within the City of Long Beach; apply for, manage and track homeland security grants; prepare, develop, train and exercise for terrorist attacks and natural disasters in order to strengthen and enhance the police department's prevention, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities.
This included the Automated Critical Assessment Management System created by LAPD Archangel program. ACAMS is a highly detailed survey of a critical assets inventory, pre-incident security enhancement plans, buffer zone plans, and post-occurrence response plans. The Homeland Security section did over 42 critical facilities assessments for the City of Long Beach.
The Homeland Security Section is also tasked with teaching all sworn personnel in the police department from the patrol officer to the Chief of Police, the Incident Command system. This is a system designed to enable effective and efficient domestic incident management by integration a combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within common organizational structure.
In short, this system is a foundation for all levels of government, Federal, state, and local, as well as many private sector organizations to manage small to complex incidents, both natural and man made.
The Homeland Security Section is also in charge of all Police equipment regarding any incident dealing with Weapons of Mass Destruction.This includes Police officers personal protection equipment, detection, and response vehicles.
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