Joint Terrorism Task Force

Joint Terrorism Task Force

A Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, other federal agencies (notably Department of Homeland Security components such as U. S. Coast Guard Investigative Service U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, and the United States Secret Service), state and local law enforcement, and specialized agencies, such as railroad police that are charged with taking action against terrorism, which includes the investigation of crimes such as wire fraud and identity theft. [cite news | last = Feldstein | first = Dan | title = Identity thieves stealing attention / Horror stories help crime gain notoriety | work = Houston Chronicle | date = 2004-06-27 | url = http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2004_3776207]

JTTFs engage in surveillance, electronic monitoring, source development and interviews in their pursuits. FBI task forces obtain written memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between participating law enforcement agencies. The FBI provides funds to pay for participating agencies' expenses, such as officer overtime, vehicles, fuel, cell phones, and related office costs.

National JTTF

The many regional JTTFs coordinate their efforts through the interagency National Joint Terrorism Task Force. NJTTF is headquartered in Washington DC, and is composed of representatives from 38 federal agencies. [cite web |url=http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress03/mefford090403.htm |title=FBI Congressional Testimony |publisher=FBI |date=September 4, 2003] The FBI's involvement with the JTTF falls under the Operational Support Branch of the FBI Counterterrorism Division [cite web |url=http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/reports/FBI/a0410/orgchart.htm |title=Counterterroism Division Organizational Chart |publisher=Office of the Inspector General |date=December 2003] .

History

The first JTTF was established in 1980 in New York City, with 10 FBI special agents and 10 detectives from the New York City Police Department. [cite web |url=http://www.fbi.gov/page2/dec04/jttf120114.htm |title=Protecting America Against Terrorist Attack - A Closer Look at the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces |publisher=FBI |date=December 1, 2004] Prior to September 11, 2001, the United States had 35 JTTFs. Shortly after the attacks, FBI Director Robert Mueller instructed all FBI field offices to establish formal terrorism task forces. There are now 100 Joint Terrorism Task Forces nationwide, including at least one at each of the FBI Field Offices.

Criticism

In 2002, the Justice Department eliminated regulations put in place after the Church Commission hearings in the 1970s, which disclosed evidence of politically motivated spying and obstruction of first amendments rights by the FBI's COINTELPRO division. Critics worry that JTTF actions may constitute violations of the First Amendment. Documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by the ACLU indicate that officers from the Colorado JTTF have been collecting personal information on nonviolent protesters. [cite web |url=http://www.aclu-co.org/news/pressrelease/release_JTTF120705.htm |title=Press Release from ACLU of Colorado |publisher=ACLU |date=December 8, 2005] Agents involved with JTTFs have also infiltrated activist peace groups under assumed names. [cite web |url=http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/10/09/1556226 |title=Peace Group Infiltrated by Government Agent |publisher=Democracy Now! |date=October 9, 2003]

On April 28, 2005, Portland became the first and only city in the nation to withdraw from a JTTF.

In June 2008, the City Pages broke news that the JTTF based in Minneapolis approached a source to infiltrate vegan potlucks and eventually report back to authorities on organized protesting activities in preparation for the 2008 Republican National Convention in nearby Saint Paul. [cite web | url=http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2008/06/whackamole.php | title=Whack a Mole | publisher=City Pages | author=Matt Snyder | date=June 3, 2008]

References

External links

* [http://www.adl.org/learn/jttf/default.asp The Joint Terrorism Task Force: A Concept That Works]
* [http://www.neonn.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/224.htm Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF)]
* [http://www.utwatch.org/security/jttf.html UT-Austin Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF)]
* [http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2004/nov2004/nov04leb.htm Managing Joint Terrorism Task Force Resources]
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=FBI%27s_Joint_Terrorism_Task_Force Center for Media & Democracy's Joint Terrorism Task Force Information Page]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Joint Task Force Lebanon — (JTF L) is a U.S. European Command (EUCOM) operational unit established in 2006 and assigned responsibility for U.S. military support to the American Embassy in Beirut and to help U.S. Department of State led humanitarian assistance efforts that… …   Wikipedia

  • Joint Task Force Aztec Silence — is a United States Department of Defense task forceconducting anti terrorism operations.In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on 1 March 2005, then United States European Command commander General James L. Jones said: EUCOM… …   Wikipedia

  • Joint Task Force-Alaska — (JTF AK), headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, is a multi service command composed of approximately 80 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Department of Defense civilian specialists. The task force is a homeland defense… …   Wikipedia

  • Joint Task Force North — (JTF North), formerly Joint Task Force Six (JTF 6), is a multi service operation by the United States Department of Defense for counterdrug and anti terrorist operations. JTF North is headquartered at Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss, Texas.… …   Wikipedia

  • Joint Task Force 2 — Infobox Military Unit unit name= Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) caption= JTF2 Insignia dates= 1993–present country= Canada allegiance= branch= Tri Services type= Special Forces role=Special Forces command structure= Canadian Special Operations Forces… …   Wikipedia

  • task force — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ special ▪ government (esp. BrE), presidential (esp. AmE), etc. ▪ naval, police, etc. ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • Joint Task Force Gold — JTFGold Olympic logo Joint Task Force (JTF) Gold[1][2] was the Australian Defence Force unit formed to provide security and general support for the 2000 Summer Olympics which was held in Sy …   Wikipedia

  • Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force of Uganda — The Joint Anti Terrorist Task Force (JATF) is a security agency of the Government of Uganda. The Museveni administration created the JATF through the Anti Terrorism Act of 2002.The Task Force s main focus is fighting the Lord s Resistance Army, a …   Wikipedia

  • Combined Joint Task Force 82 — Combined Joint Task Force – 82 (CJTF 82) is a US led subordinate formation of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). It originally served as both the National Command Element for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, reporting directly to the… …   Wikipedia

  • Combined Joint Task Force — Horn of Africa Active October 19, 2002–present Country …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”