The Alberta RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) is conducting a three-day Counter-Terrorism Information Officer (CTIO) training in Airdrie this week from June 27 to 29.
The CTIO program enhances public safety by augmenting national security resources on the ground, involving all interested communities and strengthening intelligence-led policing throughout Alberta. The goal of the workshop is to inform and educate first responders within different agencies on key indicators of potential criminal/terrorist activity that might otherwise go unnoticed and unreported.
The program is fully supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police – Counter-Terrorism and National Security Committee (CACP-CTNS). The Committee aims to have a CTIO in every detachment, district or division of each municipal police service, provincial police service, provincial corrections, federal corrections and law enforcement agency in Canada.
A CTIO will serve as the principal point of contact between their office and INSET. The CTIOs receive terrorism awareness training, information and intelligence from members of INSET and members of the RCMP National Security Program. The CTIO is equipped to inform and educate stakeholders within his or her office, on terrorism trends, tactics and practices, thereby enhancing awareness and operational preparedness relating to terrorism.
Supt. Cliff O'Brien, Calgary Police Service, says "In today's ever-changing world where events and activities across the globe have impact right here at home, it is vital that as police agencies, we collaborate. This collaboration is required not only in the midst of an ongoing incident but also in the constant sharing of knowledge as we work tirelessly to protect our communities. This training is a tangible and valuable example of this."
Supt. Stacey Talbot, Alberta RCMP, explains that "The CTIO program harmonizes the work of the Canadian law enforcement community in regard to preventing, investigating and responding to potential national security threats and terrorist activities." Supt. Talbot adds that "Workshops such as CTIO strengthen the well-established partnerships the Alberta RCMP has established with law enforcement and other partners."
The CTIO workshop further enhances the RCMP and partner agencies' efforts to reduce crime across Alberta. The program has been implemented across Canada and includes numerous partner agencies such as municipal police, transit police, corrections (provincial and federal), fisheries, conservation officers, sheriffs, CN Police, social services and many other partners.