Washington State Patrol Tip Sheet for Identifying Potential Terrorists The Washington State Patrol is providing troopers with a tip sheet for identifying potential terrorists, a list that includes indicators as specific as an altered passport and as vague as a driver exhibiting “unusual” behavior. Washington, a state with a long, forested border with Canada, a coastline of inlets and islands that makes for more than 2,400 miles of shorefront, a half-dozen prominent military installations and the nation’s largest ferry system, has many vulnerable targets and a large Islamic presence.
The wallet-sized training cards, containing an eight-point test to detect signs of possible terrorist activity, were issued this week just as the war with Iraq was beginning. Patrol leaders said the cards are simply meant to provide guidance as troopers assume new roles in homeland security by looking out for behavior that might indicate terrorism or terrorist ties.
List of possible indicators:
- Altered, vague or contradictory vehicle documents (registration, rental agreements or hazardous materials without proper documents).
- Driver/occupants with conflicting stories (do not know where they are going; have no reason for their location).
- Altered, false, expired or multiple driver’s licenses, passports or visas.
- Maps, photos, diagrams of potential targets (public or private business buildings, bridges/overpasses, hospitals and utilities).
- Suspicious items (explosives; training, police or military manuals; large amounts of cash; radical literature; fertilizer; bomb-making materials; disguises; and travel without luggage).
- Exhibits unusual or threatening behavior.
- Suspicious statements or questions (threats and probing security questions).
- Presence of anti-government or extremist-group posters, leaflets, tattoos, publications, photos and stickers that advocate violence.
In Washington state, the presence of an indicator will mean the officer should investigate further - but will not, by itself, provide sufficient grounds for an otherwise unlawful arrest or search. Law Enforcement throughout the country should be on the lookout for these indicators in their localities.
Several agencies across the U.S. use similar types of lists, including the New Mexico State Patrol. If your agency has similar procedures or lists that could be shared with other departments, please email them to Alerts@PoliceOne.com.
Source: Washington State Patrol