FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2001

SCHUMER, CLINTON LAUNCH EFFORT TO BOOST INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN FEDERAL AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES

Senators: Better communication between all levels of law enforcement is crucial to winning war on terrorism and protecting public from new threats

Schumer, Clinton introduce legislation to allow federal officials to share information about terrorist threats and investigations with local law enforcement The ability of local and state police officials to access information about federal investigations and possible terrorist threats would be significantly enhanced by a bill Senators CHARLES E. SCHUMER and Hillary Rodham Clinton are introducing today in the US Senate.

Currently, federal law restricts the ability of the FBI to share information it acquires about possible terrorist attacks with local police officials. Information about possible threats obtained in grand jury proceedings, for example, cannot be easily or readily shared with local officials because of the secrecy rules that govern the proceedings. Many law enforcement officials also blame a federal law enforcement culture that is suspicious of the trustworthiness of local officials, making FBI agents reluctant to share information with their local counterparts. Since local authorities are the first line of defense against terrorist attacks, this information can play a vital role in helping them allocate their resources to prepare for threats against their jurisdictions and to protect the public.

"At a crucial moment in the war on terrorism, we are taking the battlefield without one very important weapon - local law enforcement," Schumer said. "Whether it be legal and procedural obstacles, or an FBI culture that breeds contempt for local police, the chronic lack of communication between federal and local authorities undermines efforts to protect the homeland. And if the past few weeks have taught us anything, it's that these kinds of problems need to be fixed and they need to be fixed fast."

"As FBI Director Mueller has made clear, federal authorities depend greatly on the work of local law enforcement officers, who are on the frontlines in our war against terrorism at home. The 650,000 police officers across the country, who live in our communities and patrol our streets, are a vital part of our homeland security," Senator Clinton said. "Local police need to be entrusted with the information they need to protect American citizens and apprehend those who would do us harm."

The Senators' legislation is based on a provision in the anti-terrorism bill enacted last week that would allow federal agencies like the FBI and CIA to share information about terrorist threats and investigations. Schumer and Clinton's bill would expand this provision to permit - but not require - the federal government to share information in appropriate circumstances with local law enforcement. In so doing,

local police officials would be able to access the same information that the anti-terrorism bill allows to be shared among federal agencies.

Schumer and Clinton said the Justice Department's vague warning earlier this week that a new terrorist attack was imminent illustrated the need for updating information sharing procedures. Although the Attorney General warned municipalities of the threat, federal officials would not share any details. As a result, local police departments went on a state of high alert but were helpless to focus their efforts on those areas that the threat indicated might be most vulnerable to an attack.

At a House hearing in New York City earlier this week, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said federal legislation to boost communication between law enforcement officials would improve counter-terrorism efforts at the local level, particularly in a crisis situations.

"Common sense dictates that the local police should be informed when a federal grand jury witness testifies about an anthrax threat or a wiretap picks up information about a car bombing plot in their area. Local law enforcement is on the front lines of the war on terrorism and if we don't get them in the game as quickly as possible, we are derelict in our responsibilities to the public," Schumer said.

"In the battle against terrorism, communication is key. We must cut through the 'fog of war' by ensuring that local police have all the information they need to protect Americans and apprehend terrorists," Clinton said.

The Senators added that while the bill would ease some of the restrictions that currently keep federal officials from sharing intelligence, it would require the local law enforcement officials who receive this information to adhere to the same privacy guidelines that cover federal law enforcement. In addition, it directs the Administration to promulgate regulations to further guarantee the security of this information.

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