Security: New York/New Jersey, San Diego

New York/New Jersey: Port Authority Police Department Welcomes 83 New Officers

The Police Department (PAPD) of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey welcomed 83 new police officers to its ranks following the graduation on July 28 of the 115th Police Academy class and a swearing-in ceremony at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck (NJ).

During their 26 weeks at the academy, the graduating officers became the first class to receive training from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America  on how to recognize cognitive impairment and better assist local and international travelers.

Earlier this year, the PAPD reformed the way it recruits, evaluates, selects and trains police candidates, after an internal review and input from outside experts. As part of the new process, the PAPD has updated its website to provide important information to potential recruits.

In addition, recruits learned the laws of both New York and New Jersey, and received instruction in police procedure, firearms usage, counter-terrorism techniques and First Aid. New officers also are being trained on computer tablets that will enable them to be more proactive and to focus increasingly on more tactical, interactive and situational training scenarios.

"This graduating class has chosen one of the most demanding and critical jobs in law enforcement today," said Port Authority Acting Chief Security Officer John Bilich. "The PAPD is the reason our airports, tunnels, bridges and transportation systems operate at such a high level of safety and security."

The newest class includes 73 college graduates and seven military veterans, while 36 graduates have prior law enforcement experience. The new officers speak a total of 11 different languages, including American Sign Language. Hispanics, African-Americans and Asian-Americans make up 29 percent of the graduating class.

"Our new officers are taking their place on a law enforcement team that is second to none," said PAPD Superintendent Michael Fedorko. "Port Authority police officers are among the best-trained police officers in the country. Millions of travelers who pass through our facilities every day are safer with the addition of these new members of the department."

With a force of about 1,800 officers, the PAPD is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the agency's land, sea, air and rail facilities, which include three major airports, four bi-state bridges and two tunnels, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the PATH rail system, the regional ports in New York and New Jersey and the 16-acre World Trade Center site.

San Diego Harbor Police Dive Team Helps Philippines Strengthen Maritime Security

The Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department’s dive team is working with federal and Philippine maritime law enforcement agencies to strengthen and develop training for underwater searches and disaster incidents in the Philippines. The effort is part of a broader program in which the Harbor Police Department has been recruited by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to share best practices with law enforcement agencies for ports and harbors around the world to support foreign port security and fight international crime.

In partnership with the DOS Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Embassy Manila INL, and INL’s Office of Criminal Justice Assistance and Partnership, Harbor Police dive experts participated in a curriculum development workshop from July 17 to 20 with six Philippine maritime law enforcement experts from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group.

The curriculum aims to equip Philippine maritime law enforcement divers with a variety of skills, including detecting illegal drugs smuggled on the hull of vessels or dumped overboard for later retrieval. Once finalized, the curriculum will be incorporated into the training academies of the three participating Philippine law enforcement agencies.

"This is another important opportunity in our partnership with INL. Our dive team is essential in our department’s work to deter crime locally and in maintaining homeland security. By sharing our expertise with our counterparts at INL and in Philippine law enforcement, we’re helping to keep ports and harbors around the world safe as well," said Port Police Chief John Bolduc.

A Memorandum of Understanding with INL, signed in April 2015, establishes a framework for Harbor Police to train, advise and mentor international law enforcement and security personnel and assist with foreign governments' anti-crime efforts, mainly in Asia and Latin America.

Other recent missions:
 The Harbor Police Department, with a staff of 168, including 140 sworn officers, works in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, Homeland Security and local law enforcement agencies to ensure safety for visitors and residents. Patrolling the coast, marine terminals, tidelands and airport, they deter and prevent crimes like smuggling, terrorism and human trafficking. Harbor Police provides protection on the ground for San Diego International Airport, including the use of explosive and narcotic detecting K-9 officers. Their specialized expertise also extends to the sea and air with marine firefighting, and dive and aviation security teams.


Corporal Troy Nicol, Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department and member of the Harbor Police dive team, provides a static demonstration of the unit’s dive equipment for representatives from Philippine maritime law enforcement agencies.
Photo/Port of San Diego