(Washington, D.C.) Today, the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) is releasing a report, Attacks on Federal Government 2001 2013: Threat Assessment Considerations. The report analyzes the lone actors and groups who carried out 43 attacks directed toward federal facilities and/or federal officials between 2001 and 2013.
Similar to the violence impacting communities throughout the United States, the incidents were largely executed by lone actors, involved firearms, and ended without law enforcement intervention. In addition to describing the incidents and the offenders, the report offers guidance to law enforcement personnel on how to conduct threat assessment investigations as well as ways in which they can work with the American public to take preventative steps and encourage early intervention.
This latest report builds on existing best practices for threat assessment investigations established by the Secret Service through its research, training, and operational experience over the last 20 years. The report describes the attacks, how they were executed, and the facilities and officials who were targeted. In addition, it details information about the offenders planning behavior, motives, and other concerning behaviors they exhibited prior to the attacks.
Although the study examined attacks on federal targets, the report is designed to offer guidance to federal, state, and local law enforcement officials in their efforts to identify, assess, and manage a range of potential threats. The reports released by NTAC provide front line law enforcement and public safety professionals with in depth analysis into targeted violence incidents throughout the United States, stated Kelly Nee, Deputy Superintendent of Boston Police Departments Regional Intelligence Center. This information is invaluable to local law enforcement in our mission to keep our citizens safe.
In conjunction with the report, NTAC is also releasing three case studies that highlight key elements of threat assessment investigations and provide in-depth descriptions of the offenders backgrounds.
For more than two decades the Secret Service has conducted extensive research and analysis to develop best practices for threat assessments, stated Craig D. Magaw, Deputy Director for the U.S. Secret Service. We are pleased to share this expertise and the lessons learned with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to help protect our communities.
Source: U.S. Secret Service