Swatara Police Participation

Dauphin County Crisis Response Team (CRT)
Dauphin County Accident Reconstruction Team (DCART)

The FBI has found that success against terrorism can best be achieved through cooperation among various Federal, state and local agencies. However, in order to more effectively combat terrorism, cooperation must extend beyond the mere exchange of information. Thus, Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) have been formed by the FBI to maximize interagency cooperation and coordination to create cohesive units capable of addressing terrorism problems within the U.S.

The mission of the JTTF is to organize federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in a coordinated manner for the purpose of detecting, preventing and responding to domestic and international terrorist organizations and/or individuals who may threaten or attack United States citizens or interest abroad or conduct criminal activity within the United States, and/or any threat or incident involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) or the proliferation of same directed against the population or interests of the United States. The FBI defines terrorism as the unlawful use of force or violence, by an individual or individuals, against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

The JTTF's are our nation’s front line on terrorism. The JTTF’s combine small cells of highly trained, locally based, passionately committed investigators, analysts, linguists, SWAT experts, and other specialists from dozens of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies. When it comes to investigating terrorism, the JTTF’s do it all. They chase down leads, gather evidence, make arrests, provide security for special events, conduct training, collect and share intelligence, and respond to threats and incidents at a moment's notice.

The JTTF’s are based in 100 cities nationwide, including at least one in each of the 56 FBI field offices. The first was established in New York City in 1980. Sixty-five of these JTTFs were created after 9/11/01. The newest are in Montgomery, Alabama; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Fresno, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; West Palm Beach, Florida; Bloomington, Indiana; Covington, Kentucky; Portland, Maine; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Helena, Montana; Erie, Pennsylvania; Providence, Rhode Island; Midland, Lubbock, and Plano, Texas; and Everett, Washington.

The number of members in JTTF’s is 3,723 nationwide—more than four times the pre-9/11 total—including 2,196 Special Agents, 838 state/local law enforcement officers, and 689 professionals from other government agencies (the Department of Homeland Security, the CIA, and the Transportation Security Administration, to name a few).

Some of the contributions include being instrumental in breaking up cells like the "Portland Seven," the "Lackawanna Six," and the Northern Virginia jihad. They've traced sources of terrorist funding, responded to anthrax threats, halted the use of fake IDs, and quickly arrested suspicious characters with all kinds of deadly weapons and explosives. Chances are, if you hear about a counterterrorism investigation, JTTFs are playing an active and often decisive role. The JTTF’s coordinate their efforts largely through the interagency National Joint Terrorism Task Force, working out of FBI Headquarters, which makes sure that information and intelligence flows freely among the local JTTFs.

The JTTF’s are, most importantly, working 24/7/365 to protect you, your families, and your communities from terrorist attack.

Established in 1992, the Middle District of Pennsylvania (M/PA) Fugitive Task Force is one of the Marshals Service's oldest district-led fugitive apprehension task forces. Using resources and management coordination supplied by the Marshals Service, the Task Force focuses on apprehending federal, state, and local fugitives.

In an average year, the M/PA Fugitive Task Force arrests about 1,200 fugitives for various crimes detailed below:

Homicide (2%)	Assault (9%)
Weapons (4%)	Narcotics (49%)
Property (32%)	Robbery (4%)
Sex Offenses (2%)

The M/PA Fugitive Task Force is broken down into four general geographic areas assigned to different Deputy U.S. Marshals: Harrisburg Area, York Area, Williamsport Area and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Area. The Harrisburg Area includes the counties of Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Lebanon, Mifflin, Huntingdon and Juniata.

The Marshals Service is the federal government's primary agency for conducting investigations involving: escaped federal prisoners; probation, parole and bond violators; and fugitives based on warrants generated during drug investigations. The Marshals Service is the custodian of all federal arrest warrants until execution or dismissal, and for more than 20 years the agency has specialized in apprehending fugitives.