RCMP Gazette Human Rights and Policing - Alberta Hate Crimes ...

EMERGiNG TRENDSTraining first respondersin counterterrorismby Sonja CermakCommunication strategistb.C. RCMP National Security ProgramThe threat of terrorism in Canada isreal. In fact, no country is exempt frompotential terrorist attacks. For this reason,the RCMP has identified a need to includefirst responders and other partner agenciesin counterterrorism training, education andinformation sharing so that they are alert toterrorist threats in the course of their work.Known as Counter TerrorismInformation Officer, (CTIO) training, thisthree-day workshop is designed to teach firstresponders such as police, ambulance andfire department personnel how to identifythe early warning signs of terrorism. Thisunique training, which had never previouslybeen offered in Canada, was initiated by theCommunity Outreach Program, a sub-unitof the RCMP’s National Security Program.The CTIO training began in 2007 inBritish Columbia. The B.C. initiative nowhas approximately 170 first responderstrained in terrorism alertness. The traininghas expanded to Ontario and will be offeredin Quebec later this year.The training includes such elementsas recognizing pre-incident indicators,and understanding terrorist fundraisingand terrorism group characteristics. Thisknowledge and awareness triggers thosewho have been trained to contact theRCMP’s National Security Program if theynotice obvious or not-so-obvious signsof terrorism. Early detection allows theRCMP’s specially trained national securityofficers to investigate at the scene beforeevidence is moved, placing them in a betterposition to mitigate a terrorist threat.As an example, a CTIO firefighter whoattended the scene of an accident advisedthe B.C. Integrated National SecurityEnforcement Team that one of the implicatedvehicles was carrying radioactive material.“Even a small indicator that maynormally seem miniscule and go unnoticedor unreported may play a major role inan investigation carried out by nationalsecurity officers,” explains RCMP Sgt SteveCorcoran, from B.C.’s National SecurityProgram, who started the CTIO training.“Some signs to look for includeprecursors to make explosives or massamounts of weapons. These may notnecessarily mean there is a nexus toterrorism but, as national securityspecialists, we do not want to leave anythingto chance. Calling out national securityexperts to a scene with these types of signsis imperative to rule out a possibility ofterrorism,” says Corcoran.CTIOs also play a vital role in raisingawareness of the RCMP’s NationalSecurity Program. Once trained, theirduties include being a point of contactfor the RCMP national security liaison,relaying information about suspiciousactivity to the liaison, and receiving andsharing terrorism-related informationwithin their workplace.This type of training helps expand theknowledge of first responders and enhancepublic safety through a more integrated lawenforcement approach. The more peoplethere are aware of what to look for, thehigher the chances of acting on potentialrisks before it is too late. Informationsharing between the CTIOs and the CTIOcoordinators in the form of monthly reports,watch briefings and annual conferencesprovides continuous learning for CTIOs.Information sharing also promotes thespread of knowledge amongst the entirefirst responder community.“The CTIO program strengthensintelligence-led policing by involvingall interested communities and trainingselected individuals to assist us with sharingterrorism-related information among firstresponders. The more people trained, themore alert we are as an emergency responsecommunity,” says Corcoran.The RCMP’s National SecurityProgram trains not only ambulance and firedepartment employees but also correctionalservice employees, conservation andwildlife officers, other municipal policeforces and its own front-line RCMP officerswho do not specialize in national securityissues. A future goal is to have a CTIO inevery detachment, district or division ofeach municipal and provincial police andcorrections service. ▪CTIO training for emergency response personnel, such asparamedics and firefighters, has led to critical informationbeing shared with the RCMP’s national security officers inthe prevention of terrorism.36Gazette Vol. 72, No. 3, 2010