Police training to fight against terrorism

ABC Local
Jul. 10, 2009

NEW YORK (WABC) -- It's one of the New York Police Department's most dangerous assignments--battling organized terrorists, and gangs. And now, an elite group of police officers is in training on Rodmen's Neck in the Bronx to learn how to deal with these scenarios.

The heavy arms classes and training sessions became a necessity following the 2006 terror attacks in Mumbai, India where the suspects were blowing up commuter trains and were using their weapons in a controlled manner. The tactical lessons from that horrifying attack have been studied in hopes of preventing a similar tragedy here at home.

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"We have protocols in place ah 24/7 if a situation like that occurred. We also learned from that situation that there could be multiple locations at one time that you have to be prepared for," said Captain Anthony Maida with the NYPD.

The skills the officers employ could eliminate the confusion that ensued in Los Angeles when armed gunmen in full body armor held th Los Angeles Police Department at bay for hours.

"We conduct our own drills here to see how we would respond to those situations," said Capt. Anthony Maida.

As many as 350 NYPD members from various special services train for the most dangerous assignments. The goal is to be prepared for any potential crisis where a rapid response and direct force are the only ways to bring chaos under control.