HPD, FBI Birmingham Field Office seek to strengthen prevention of targeted violence
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The Huntsville Police Department (HPD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Birmingham Field Office and local partners are working to strengthen their collaboration to identify, assess and manage potential threats before they escalate into acts of targeted violence.
The City Council will consider a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Huntsville, HPD, Huntsville City Board of Education and the FBI Birmingham Field Office to establish the Tennessee Valley Threat Assessment and Threat Management Team. The MOU outlines participating agencies’ roles and provides a framework for coordinated threat assessment and management.
“This agreement would enhance our ability to identify potential threats early and bring the right resources together to address them,” HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. “It’s about prevention, coordination and doing everything we can to keep our community safe.”
The proposed team would bring together law enforcement and community partners to assess concerning behavior, coordinate threat management efforts and connect agencies with appropriate resources. The team could address potential threats involving schools, workplaces, businesses and other community settings.
“By establishing this threat mitigation team, we are bringing together critical resources, expertise, and partnerships to stay ahead of emerging threats,” said David R. Fitzgibbons, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Birmingham Field Office. “Sharing information in real time allows us to respond faster, protect our communities more effectively, and ensure we remain proactive rather than reactive.”
The team would not take over or lead criminal investigations. The agency responsible for a case would maintain ownership of its investigation while the team provides coordinated threat assessment and management support.
The FBI Birmingham Field Office may provide threat assessment and threat management consultation and operational support through its Behavioral Threat Assessment Center when requested and approved on a case-by-case basis.