The training was conducted to further Rapadas’ priority of identifying and reducing gang and gun violence in the districts and President Obama’s priority of recognizing gang membership in the military, and reducing firearm and gang related offenses. The training was held on June 14 and 15 at the Guam National Guard Readiness Center, and on June 16 and 17, at the Pacific Islands Club on Saipan.
Rapadas said, “I am excited to see the high turnout of participants in both districts. Our focus is to ensure our neighborhoods are safe for us and our children.”
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Charles Smith, Seattle, Washington, stated, “I am happy to be partnered with BJA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the fight against violent crime.”
Smith went on to say that one of ATF’s primary missions is to provide training and law enforcement support to state and local law enforcement.
He pledged to continue these efforts through PSN and federal prosecution.
The featured speakers from the NDAA were Angela Corey from the Florida State Attorney’s Office; Luci Jackson-Taylor from the National Criminal Investigative Service in Arlington, Virginia; John F. Wilkinson, NDAA from Aexandria, Virginia; Michael Dixon from ATF in Washington, D.C.; Vincent Meister from the Salt Lake County Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City, Utah; Paul Treseler from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in Boston, Massachusetts; and Greg Anderson from the Fresno County Attorney’s Office in Fresno, California.
The topics focused on updates in search and seizure law, identification of gang members in the military, interviewing techniques, firearms identification and trafficking, investigation and prosecution of methamphetamine cases, prosecuting gang cases, and burglary and home invasion offenses.
The training was attended by 160 federal and local law enforcement officers on Guam and 70 on Saipan. Similar training is planned for the future.
