Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
Last night in Dallas a group peaceably assembled to demonstrate and express their grievances. This is something they had a right to do, in accord with our American tradition of peaceful demonstration in pursuit of change.
This past weekend, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “If You See Something, Say Something™” public awareness campaign materials were on display for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto, through a new partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This is the first time the Department’s “If You See Something, Say Something™” materials have been used internationally.
Today, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas concluded a three-day trip to Chicago and Detroit, where he participated in the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2015 Conference and Exposition and the U.S./Canada Border Conference. During both conferences, Deputy Secretary Mayorkas met with state and local law enforcement partners to discuss the Department’s continued efforts to share information and work together on homeland security initiatives such as preventing violent extremism.
On Oct. 24-26, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas will travel to Chicago to participate in the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2015 Conference and Exposition. During the conference, Deputy Secretary Mayorkas will deliver remarks on the Department’s commitment to support interoperable communications at the IACP Communications and Technology Committee Meeting. While in Chicago, Deputy Secretary Mayorkas will meet with state and local law enforcement partners to discuss the Department’s continued efforts to share information and work together on homeland security initiatives such as preventing violent extremism.
I congratulate Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey on his retirement after 46 years of public service. His nearly half century on the beat has made our cities – and our homeland – safer. Commissioner Ramsey joined the force in Chicago and, as so many good cops do, he rose through the ranks, from a patrol officer to Deputy Superintendent. He moved on to Washington, D.C., to serve as Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, overseeing a 40 percent decrease in crime in our nation’s capital. And as Philadelphia’s Police Commissioner, he has led the fourth-largest police department in the Nation.
Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the deceased assailants’ motives and all the circumstances surrounding the attack last night in Garland, Texas. At this point it does seem clear that an officer of the Garland Police Department acted quickly and decisively and thereby likely saved a number of innocent lives. We are also relieved to hear that the one security officer who was wounded last night did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
On behalf of Secretary Jeh Johnson, who is currently traveling overseas, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Lawrence Buckner, a Master Security employee contracted to the Federal Protective Service. Mr. Buckner died in the line of duty late last night at the Suitland Federal Facility in Maryland.
Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.). On this day we show our support for our nation’s approximately 780,000 police officers who put a badge on each day, knowing they may face extremely dangerous situations while carrying out their duties.
The Department of Homeland Security is designated as the Sector-Specific Agency for the Emergency Services Sector. The sector provides a wide range of prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery services during both day-to-day operations and incident response.
Last month, at the 18th INTERPOL Training Symposium, held November 28-30, in Antalya, Turkey, I had the distinct honor of being named the Chair of the INTERPOL Group of Experts on Police Training (IGEPT), which is comprised of law enforcement training experts from Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the U.S. INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with more than 190 member countries.
