With the history of 9/11, the Sniper Incident, and Hurricane Katrina as a backdrop, the face of Public Safety has changed. The office of Homeland Security and Operational Preparedness (HS/OP) coordinates information regarding potential threats against the City and its citizens from an all hazards perspective. This includes planning and preparation for incidents of international or domestic terrorism, natural or manmade disasters and the related information/intelligence gathering to meet those challenges.

HS/OP is responsible for the traditional Homeland Security functions to include: maintaining a liaison with federal, state, local and military terrorism/intelligence counterparts; partnership in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Joint Terrorism Task Force, and review and local follow-up investigations of related police reports and bulletins regarding international or domestic terrorism matters.

HS/OP also has oversight of federal and state grants related to Homeland Security issues, department-wide unmet equipment and technology needs assessment, all-hazards emergency response preparedness, and inspectional review for operational readiness.

HS/OP provides training for our own and other regional area officers on the subjects of terrorism, improvised explosive devices, and identity document fraud. The office also maintains a library of terrorism-related information on the police department's mobile display terminals.

To report suspicious activity that may be indicative of international or domestic terrorism, please call the Department of Emergency Communication at 703-746-4444.