Anti-Terrorism Initiatives and Mass Transportation Information
Since September 11, 2001, the Maine Institute for Public Safety Innovation (MIPSI) at the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) has taken on a leadership role in the delivery and development of "Anti-Terrorism" training.
Our goals are to:
- Provide specialized police training on anti-terrorism
- Develop partnerships designed to prevent terrorism
- Deliver anti-terrorism training to the general public
- Develop infrastructure mechanism that precludes terrorist events
If you are having technical difficulties, need further assistance, or have any questions, please call the MIPSI Training Coordinator, at (207) 621-3478 or send email to MIPSI at MIPSI@maine.edu.
The following is a listing of the partnerships we have established and the programs and training that MIPSI has provided to date. Click on the link to access the titles of each program. You can click on each program heading when you get to that page for more information.
Following is a listing of the partnerships we have established and the programs and training that MIPSI has provided to date. Click on the title of each program heading for more information.
For more information, please call the MIPSI Training Coordinator, at (207) 621-3478 or send email to MIPSI at MIPSI@maine.edu.
"Counter-Terrorism Preparedness" Seminar for Law Enforcement
On January 11, 2002 MIPSI hosted an all-day seminar at UMA for over 200 officers and command staff from local law enforcement and agencies from both the state and federal governments and the military.
Program contents:
- What are the thought processes and mentality of the Middle Eastern religious fanatic terrorist as evidenced by the Al-Qa'ida network?
- What kinds of things am I preparing for?
- What am I looking for and how do I recognize it when I see it?
- Are there any new twists on how weapons of mass destruction are deployed?
Operational Counter-Terrorism Training at the Brunswick Naval Air Station
On September 23-27, 2002 MIPSI provided 35 federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agents with a 40-hour program that was delivered by a variety of internationally recognized experts on the subject of Extremist/Terrorism. The trainers included Dr. Karl Seger, author of the U.S. Army's manual, "Counter Terrorism on Army Installations," Steven "Shai" Gold, former Israeli Field Intelligence, El Al Airline Security and currently Special Assistant to MIPSI, Norman Rankis, Saulius Puzikas, Paul DuCuennois, T.J. Hill and Dr. Olaf Rankis.
State and Local Anti-Terrorist Train-the-Trainer Pilot Program
On September 23-27, 2002 MIPSI provided 35 federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agents with a 40-hour program that was delivered by a variety of internationally recognized experts on the subject of Extremist/Terrorism. The trainers included Dr. Karl Seger, author of the U.S. Army's manual, "Counter Terrorism on Army Installations," Steven "Shai" Gold, former Israeli Field Intelligence, El Al Airline Security and currently Special Assistant to MIPSI, Norman Rankis, Saulius Puzikas, Paul DuCuennois, T.J. Hill and Dr. Olaf Rankis.
"Can It Happen Here?" Conference at Senator Inn in Augusta
Sponsored by the Kennebec Emergency Management Agency on Terrorism, this one day conference held on October 4, 2002 was attended by over 100 state and county officials representing a broad spectrum of governmental activities. Presenter Shai Gold and Dr. Olaf Rankis addressed the topics of the social psychological mechanics of terrorism and how it affects a community and what leaders need to do to control fear and about terrorism happening in Maine.
Airport Security Conference in Israel on December 2-4, 2002
Sponsored by the Protection and Security Division of the Israeli Security Agency, this project was a result of a meeting between former Maine Governor Angus King, Consul General Meir Schlomo of the Northeast Region USA, and Criminal Justice Projects Director Richard Mears of UMA. The training proposal was developed out of concern for security at smaller international airport facilities, such as those found in Maine.
"Applying Community Policing Principles Post 9-11" COPS Summit
On January 16-18, 2003 MIPSI staff joined other RCPI representatives who met in Washington D.C. to assess their role in the COPS Office's homeland security efforts. Invited experts from all levels of the federal government worked with the group to explore the training needs that COPS-funded programs can address.
First Maine Anti-Terrorism Task Force (MATTF) Conference
Held on April 9, 2003 in South Portland, this informational conference attracted a wide variety of invited federal, state, local and private representatives of organizations, including MIPSI, working together to keep Maine free of terrorist attacks, as well as attendees from Vermont, New Hampshire and Canada. In partnership with MATTF, MIPSI serves as the training agent for the task force.
MIPSI Invited to Town Hall Meeting on Homeland Security
On April 21, 2003 MIPSI Associate Director Larry Gilbert participated in a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Congressman Michael H. Michaud. Special guests included Maryland Congressman Steny H. Hoyer and police chiefs from around Maine, as well as hospital officials and emergency management professionals. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss their level of preparedness and to assess their concerns over responding to a terrorist attack at home.
UMA Site of Satellite Downlink Training for Community Policing for Arabic Communities
On August 7, 2003 UMA was the site of the satellite downlink training entitled "Arabic Culture and Names: Community Oriented Policing for Arabic Countries." The objectives of the two-hour presentation were to understand and build relationships with Muslim and Arabic communities. The participants included 27 members of the MATTF and representatives from various levels of government. A presentation of the RCPI Network, the training was funded by the COPS Office.
Maine Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) Meeting
On November 18, 2003 Maine's ATAC hosted an all day meeting attended by 80 representatives from a broad cross section of federal, state and local law enforcement and private business professionals who are part of the council. At the meeting, ATAC announced the formation of a partnership with MIPSI to provide future anti-terrorism training for Maine.
The advisory council meets semi-annually to inform its members of strategies and programs designed to prevent terrorism. It also provides for a forum in which officials can meet and exchange information to enhance security measures in Maine.
"Is Maine Prepared?" Homeland Security Town Meetings at UMA
On December 10, 2003 MIPSI Special Projects Manager Dr. Olaf Rankis was a panelist at the second town meeting held on Homeland Security that was made possible through a grant to the UMA Honors Program from the United Nations Foundation under "The People Speak: America Debates Its Role in the World" to host community forums. Other panelists included Rep. Tom Allen, Maine Emergency Management Director Arthur Cleaves and UMA Professor Brenda McAleer.
On January 28, 2004 MIPSI Executive Director Richard Mears served as a panelist on this third and final town meeting on Homeland Security, which addressed such issues as "Do Maine citizens believe we are at risk for attack? Do they take the alerts seriously? and What has the Maine law enforcement done to prepare for homeland security?" The other panelists included EMS Director Arthur Cleaves and Assistant U.S. Attorney William Schneider.
MIPSI Co-Hosts First Maine Summit on Campus Security
With the support of MIPSI and UMA, the University of Maine System and Colby College offered this first State of Maine summit on campus security on February 5, 2004. Over 130 higher education administrators from every campus in Maine attended the summit, which provided the opportunity for campus officials to discuss the challenges facing their institutions and share ideas about ways in which campuses can respond. Presenters touched on a wide range of topics from global terrorism to local violent crime, including "Practical Vulnerabilities in Higher Education; Campus Security Audits; and Dealing with the Media and Emergency Response Planning."
Expanded Campus Security Training at UMA in Augusta
On March 18, 2004 MIPSI's Special Projects Manager Melvin Tucker conducted an expanded campus security training program for UMA Center Directors and another on May 24th for security personnel from the Maine Community College System, Maine private colleges and the University of Maine System. The training included the concepts involved in premises liability, how to conduct campus risks analysis, the implementation of proven security programs to mitigate the risks, how to conduct security surveys to assess weaknesses and how to audit security programs.
Online "Terrorism Awareness for Community Members" Debuts
On February 19, 2004 the announcement of an innovative online approach for Maine citizens to gain easy access to important homeland security information was made at a news conference held in South Portland. Joining in partnership to make the announcement was Paula Silsby, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine, Chief Butch Asselin, President of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association and Professor Richard Mears, MIPSI Executive Director. "Terrorism Awareness for Community Members," as the program is named, delivers timely information to citizens to interactively involve them in understanding the goals of a terrorist, who terrorists are, and how to responsibly observe and report suspicious activities in their communities. The online awareness program was funded by MIPSI and developed by Justice Planning and Management Associates in Augusta.
"Practical Counter-Terrorism for Law Enforcement" Training
On April 19 – 20, 2004 MIPSI Executive Director Richard Mears was a presenter at a two-day training program sponsored by Gibbs College of Montclair, New Jersey law enforcement representatives that included police chiefs, captains and investigators. The training by international expert presenters included "Practical Counter-Terrorism for Law Enforcement, Understanding the Mindset of Wahabi Terrorists, Developing a Strategy for Local Preparedness in Counter-Terrorism, Predictive Profiling, Terrorist Threat Mitigation and Fourth Generation Warfare."
International Training at Presque Isle
On May 26, 2004 MIPSI staff, in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine, Resident Agent's Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Maine Emergency Management Agency, sponsored the one-day training. The program was designed for members of Maine and Canada who are involved in the anti-terrorism liaison network. The training included criminal enterprises that terrorists might be engaged in to support radical terrorist groups and the role of local and state police in terrorism prevention. Professor Richard Mears and Attorney Kenneth Bell were the presenters of this training.
Amtrak Training in Washington, D.C.
MIPSI staff presented two training modules to representatives of the Amtrak police force. The training was part of a program presented by the Chameleon Group on the issues of security engineering and predictive profiling. The attendees included security directors, inspectors, captains and a representative of the Amtrak legal staff. MIPSI Executive Director Richard Mears' presentations included an overview of issues on "Search and Seizure in the Mass Transportation Environment and the Integration of Community Policing Techniques in a Security Environment." This training is part of the ongoing organizational efforts of Amtrak to insure passenger safety on America's railway system.
Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences Meeting
On June 4, 2004 Richard Mears attended an executive briefing at the 28th annual meeting of the Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences held in Bristol, Rhode Island.
"Security in a Mass Transportation Environment" Training in Chicago, Illinois
On June 14 – 18, 2004 MIPSI staff participated in a national training event at O'Hare International Airport. The training covered "Predictive Profiling, Search and Seizure, the Security Engineering Process, Fourth Generation Warfare Concepts and Community Policing as a Response to Terrorism."