Clackamas County Joins Joint Terrorism Task Force
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts
“Recent incidents involving both domestic and international extremism make this new partnership timely,” Roberts said in a release. “Local law enforcement frequently is the first contact with individuals who might be plotting attacks -- making the integration of law enforcement efforts critical to keeping our community safe.”
The FBI Portland Division's Joint Terrorism Task Force was established in 1997. Before 9/11, it focused primarily on domestic terrorism issues. Since then, the scope and size of the JTTF has rapidly increased to meet the challenge of international terrorism that confronts our country and the state of Oregon.
As part of the agreement between the FBI and the Sheriff’s Office, A joint board of leaders from the FBI and Clackamas County Sheriff's Office selected a Deputy Sheriff who will be assigned full-time to the JTTF. That assignment will occur at the conclusion of a clearance process that is currently underway.
Roberts also announced he has put in place an oversight procedure for the partnership. A senior manager that has already obtained a Top Secret clearance will be briefed regularly on the task force. The deputy will also have access to legal counsel to consult about any concerns about complying with the Oregon Constitution and Oregon laws.
Portland has long had a history with the task force. The City of Portland first voted to join the task force, a FBI program that involves local law enforcement with terrorism-related investigations, in 1997. However, unhappy with the relationship, Portland voted in 2005 to withdraw from the task force.
Yet after a bomb threat in 2010, involving an FBI sting operation, the council decided in 2011 to enter into an “as-needed basis” with the FBI. Although the city was not formally in agreement with the agency, Portland Police Bureau would be involved in some aspects of the investigations.
Portland ultimately rejoined the task force in February of this year, after a vote from the city council.
Beyond the FBI agents assigned to the JTTF, current members include:
Oregon State Police
Port of Portland Police Department
Washington County Sheriff's Office
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney's Office
U.S. Department of State
Diplomatic Security Service
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Immigration/Customs Enforcement
Federal Air Marshal Service
Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service
Defense Criminal Investigative Service
Related Slideshow: Five Things To Know About Portland’s Joint Terrorism Task Force
The Portland City Council is considering new resolutions that would change the city's involvement with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. There are two possible new directions the city could choose. Here are five things that could change:
Related Articles
- Terrorist Attacks Kill Dozens in Paris
- The Threat of Terror in Oregon - Americans and ISIS
- Oregon National Guardsman Honored For Stopping Terror Attack in Paris
- Obama Talks Terrorism vs. Gun Violence
- FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Terrorist in the US
- Five Things To Know About Portland’s Joint Terrorism Task Force
- FBI Investigating California Shooting as an Act of Terrorism
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It