International criminal intellegence cooperation

Military Police, March, 2002 by John K. Dippel

The U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) has always faced a variety of threats affecting the readiness, morale, health, and welfare of its service members. The tragedy of the 11 September terrorist attacks has escalated the possibility of something similar happening in Europe. Whether potential threats are politically, religiously, or ideologically motivated, all must be thoroughly evaluated and diligently investigated to support ever-changing force protection postures.

**********

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC) Darmstadt Resident Agency (RA) in the Federal Republic of Germany supports its force protection and security readiness efforts by communicating effectively with German and U.S. police authorities. Ms. Sabine Musso, the RA local national criminal investigator and criminal intelligence coordinator, has been an intricate part of the 233d Base Support Battalion's (BSB's) efforts to combat terrorism and support force protection. Her efforts to integrate the RA's force protection efforts into the plans and actions of commanders and the military and German communities cannot be overemphasized. She has improved the relationship and cooperation among the RA, the local agencies, and the U.S. commanders through numerous meetings and support.

Also, she has been the conduit for time-sensitive and crucial information that directly impacts soldier readiness and security.

This valuable partnership has allowed Army law enforcement and intelligence personnel to better protect service members, civilian employees, family members, facilities, and equipment. This improved protection is accomplished by--

* Combating terrorism.

* Supporting physical/operations security and the use of personal protective measures.

* Encouraging analytical evaluation.

* Supporting counterintelligence and other security programs.

USACIDC's model of intelligence fusion, tactical and nontactical, has proved vital to developing the RA' s force protection program. This model will also be effective in the future. USACIDC enhances the military communities' force protection plans, which in turn support the Army Force Protection Program and our great nation's security efforts.

NATO and status of forces agreements require U.S. forces and host nation authorities to cooperate in the security and protection of Army interests. USACIDC and the Office of the Provost Marshal are crucial elements in that cooperation. The 233d BSB Provost Marshal, Captain Derek Bellows; his MP liaison officer, Ms. Dorit Marston; and Pond's Security Services contracting office representative, Mr. David Supinger, are in the hub of police intelligence operations for the 233d BSB, its extended Army family, and the German community. CPT Bellows' program integrates the RA into force protection planning for the 233d BSB, effectively using its vast investigative and analytical resources.

German law enforcement and intelligence officials are experienced in protecting U.S. forces and their assets from left- and right-wing extremist groups that may oppose U.S. interests. Any major military action, such as the current campaign against terrorism, could prompt indigenous groups or other terrorist organizations to attack U.S. interests in any country where its service members are deployed. Although there has been little recent terrorist activity directly targeting USAREUR personnel and facilities, this situation could change at any time. Terrorism remains one of the weapons of choice for a number of countries and radical organizations.

Criminal and force protection intelligence flow continuity is a critical part of a threat intelligence-management program. Effective coordination with host nation intelligence and criminal information networks is needed to build strong cooperatives for future tactical and nontactical intelligence fusion. These relationships just don't happen overnight. For example, the RA has been an active member of the Darmstadt police presidium's criminal and drug task force efforts for over 8 years.

It also belongs to the presidium's newly formed task force--Task Force USA--which was created to support investigations surrounding the terrorist attacks on 11 September. The task force, headed by Kriminalhaupt-kommissar (KHK) Juergen Haase, is comprised of about 10 seasoned police officers who gather intelligence and evaluate terrorist activities. All intelligence is forwarded to the Hessen State Criminal Police Department intelligence gathering section, headed by KHK Horst Graeser, who exchanges pertinent intelligence with the RA. The Aschaffenburg Criminal Police, in the state of Bavaria, also formed a Task Force USA and conducts a similar information exchange with the RA. All state criminal police departments in Germany report their intelligence to the Bundeskriminalamt, its equivalent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

USAREUR host nation authorities are primarily responsible for protecting U.S. personnel and its assets and investigating terrorist threats that occur inside its borders. This responsibility must also be shared by Army law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Members of the German law enforcement and intelligence communities continue to lean on the RA and the provost marshal for support in their efforts to fight criminal/terrorist activity and protect U.S. forces and their own citizens.