By DEVLIN BARRETT
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON- The Homeland Security Department is looking to improve communication and coordination with local officials during anti-terror operations by assigning a new liaison officer to New York and possibly Los Angeles.
The decision to send a full-time DHS liaison to the New York Police Department comes after criticism that a recent subway terror alert was marred by mixed signals from local and federal authorities.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told Rep. Peter King, a New York Republican, at a private meeting that he would send a member of his headquarters operation center to the NYPD’s headquarters in lower Manhattan.
DHS is also considering sending a full-time liaison to the Los Angeles Police Department, DHS spokesman Russ Knocke said Thursday. And, in the future, homeland security officials will work to put out joint statements with local officials in the event of a localized terror alert, he said.