Mission

The Hampton Police Division's Homeland Security Unit has the mission to develop, and implement a comprehensive organizational strategy to secure the Hampton community from terrorist threats or attacks through public safety initiatives. Additionally, it coordinates the conduct of operations to deter, prevent, and defeat any threatened terrorist activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of the community.

Activities

The Hampton Police Division's Homeland Security Unit establishes policy and coordinates activities that include:

• Collection of intelligence information.
• Establishing effective information sharing with federal, state, and other local agencies to include the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
• Coordinating division training of those units likely to be utilized in the event of terrorist activity which includes SWAT, MRT, Dive Team, and Hostage Negotiators.
• Establishing a liaison with surrounding Federal Installations such as Ft. Monroe , Langley AFB, and The Coast Guard's Captain of the Port.
• Establishing the maritime jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Hampton through coordination with the City Attorney.
• Coordinating the conduct of joint training for selected HPD SWAT and MRT personnel with the US Coast Guard.
• Working in concert with the city's Emergency Management personnel when responding to any event which may be terrorist related.
• Providing a maritime operational capability of a full-scale tactical unit to help secure our waterfront and the Hampton Roads Harbor.
• Implementing an effective asset procurement program through the Defense Reutilization Marketing Office (DRMO).
• Participating in local, state, and national disaster simulation exercises (Determined Promise).

Programs

The following new programs have been initiated in recent months to further the state and local law enforcement efforts in the fight against terrorism:

• Expanding the Neighborhood Watch program in the Homeland Security mode with the goal of enhancing its crime detection and prevention activities.
• Establishing a Citizen Corp's Volunteers in Police Service (VIP) program.
• Conducting various security surveys in areas vulnerable to terrorist attack.