ICTS GIS selected to safeguard Counter Terror Expo 2009

25 Jan 09

The canine protective expertise which is the company’s speciality will be showcased by ICTS GIS at the upcoming Counter Terror Expo 2009 on 10-11 February.

By Brian Sims

Designed to offer advice and guidance on countering the global threat from terrorist activity, Counter Terror Expo 2009 brings together Government agencies and private sector operators to debate international security policy. Playing its part, ICTS-GIS will be exhibiting on Stand C66 for the duration of the conference, but is also going to be fully operational in securing the show.

Over four days, including the build-up to the conference and exhibition, ICTS GIS explosive search dogs will be on duty at the QE11 Conference Centre in London’s Westminster, providing protective security services for the venue operators, event organisers, exhibitors, speakers and delegates at this prestigious annual event.

RASCargO-focused Research and Training Centre

Last year, of course, ICTS GIS launched its Combined Operations, Research and Training Centre near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. The facility represents in excess of £1,000,000 of investment over recent years with the aim of introducing a range of canine services for clients. A state-of-the-art kennel complex and training facilities for canines involved in aviation cargo screening for the RASCargO programme has been constructed in the grounds of the centre. The complex includes 20 individual kennels, an Operations Room, meeting rooms, marketing suite, explosives and drug storage facilities to meet current regulations.

The RASCargO screening technique employs specially-trained search dogs to remotely detect explosives. The service allows the screening of oversized and dense cargo that cannot readily be checked by traditional methods. Air samples are collected from freight using special filters which are then presented to highly-trained dogs in a safe and controlled environment.

Additional RASCargO screening suites are located at Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport in compliance with the Department for Transport operating standards. Those suites are monitored the Defence Science Technology Laboratory.

Fully-documented continuation training

Association of Chief Police Officers-compliant ICTS GIS operational search teams strategically located at satellite stations throughout the UK receive fully-documented continuation training and attend refresher courses every six months to ensure that high standards are constantly maintained. All ICTS-GIS operational personnel and dogs are trained to the same standards as police officers and police dogs at Home Office-accredited dog training centres in Surrey and Durham. Several of the ICTS GIS team are ACPO-accredited trainers themselves, with many years of ‘hands on’ operational experience.

The skilled teams of ‘traditional’ explosive search dogs who have benefitted from the exacting standards of the RASCargO programme are deployed at many of the UK’s iconic sporting locations, in addition to carrying out regular operations in the transport environment. For example, having established a three-year rolling contract with National Express, regular deployments with dogs and handlers have been carried out at key transport hubs around the country. In addition, the provision of defensive search services for the English and Wales Cricket Board that cover all key Test match venues (including Lords) features high on the ICTS GIS calendar. For these events, the company works in partnership with international security consultant Richard Hester Associates.

ICTS GIS also offers a ‘one stop shop’ canine service available on a consultancy basis to clients on a global basis to support the establishment, development and maintenance of canine facilities to police forces, customs services, defence forces, homeland security, border control, immigration services, port authorities and forensic teams to combat terrorism and drug-related crime.

Government agencies and the private sector

Commenting on the current state-of-play regarding security search dogs, John Franklin-Webb (responsible for group business development at ICTS) told SMT Online: “We believe that, in the next few years, there will be a greater liaison and co-operation between Government agencies and the private security sector as vigilance increases leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games. Demand for protective security services will grow.”

Franklin-Webb added: “In the drugs sector, we continue our work in providing a cost-effective counter-drug mechanism in support of police operations, and for other public and private clients who wish to maintain a pro-active stance on drug misuse. For any organisation to succeed and be accepted, they must ensure that they, like ourselves, meet the exacting criteria laid down by the authorities.”