Associated Press
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Police Chief Greg Guibord says he is among a number of Michigan law enforcement officers who have received federal security clearances as part of the campaign against terrorism.
“I got it about a month ago. It was supposed to take six months, but it only took two,” Guibord said. “Anything that will help with the sharing of information (about terrorist threats), I’m in favor of.”
The security clearances let Guibord and other law enforcement officials have access to classified information about terrorism, The Detroit News said Friday.
Michigan is home to about 350,000 Arab-Americans, with the largest concentration in Dearborn. About 30 percent of Dearborn’s 99,017 residents identify themselves as Arab.
The Arab-American community has come under scrutiny since the Sept. 11 attacks. After Sept. 11, Dearborn police substantially have stepped their anti-terror efforts.
The FBI asked Dearborn to join the Joint Terrorism Task Force two years ago, but then-Chief Ronald Deziel declined because of staffing concerns, Guibord said.
“I’m not going to second-guess my predecessor’s decision,” Guibord. “Obviously, after Sept. 11, it became imperative that we join the Joint Terrorism Task Force.”
The 24-member task force will expand to more than 30, said John Bell, special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI office.
Dearborn is spending about $250,000 for anti-terror efforts, including police overtime and training.