Policing and CBRN Hazards

Patrick Wengler is a Project Officer in the Assistance and Protection Branch of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Prior to joining the OPCW in 2020, he was a Police Inspector, Programme Assistant in Higher Education, Senior Lecturer at university and subject matter expert teaching for various international organisations. His main responsibilities include working on capacity building and non-proliferation projects, all aspects of emergency management as well as scene assessments of contaminated environments. He holds a Master of Science in Security Studies from the London Metropolitan University (UK), a Master’s in CBRN first responder and decision making from the University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT), a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Investigation from the University of Sunderland (UK), a Hazardous Material Technician qualification from the New Jersey State Police (US) and is a qualified CBRN operator by the CBRN School in Rieti (IT). ‘While the author is a serving member of staff at OPCW, The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the OPCW.’

Part 1 Historical Overview of CBRNe and HAZMAT Incidents and Impacts

Chapter 1. Etymology of Chemical, Biological and Radiological Agents and the Context on How Policing is Involved.

Etymology of abbreviations related to chemical, biological, and radiological agents

Introduction political violence and radicalization leading to terrorism with chemical, biological, and radiological agents

What can be understood under terrorism and where does it come from?

What does terrorism with chemical, biological, and radiological agents imply for policing?

Chapter 2. Terror Groups Analysed in Relation with CBRN Agents

Terror Groups analysed in relation with CBRN agents used maliciously (as a weapon)

Group 01: State terrorism

Group 02: Religious terrorism

Group 03: Marxism-oriented terrorist groups

Group 04: Single issue terrorist groups

Group 05: Lone wolves, acts of terrorism, and crime

Chapter 3. The Impact of Planes as Transportation of Goods and Living Beings

Airport, Planes, and Cargo: A risk for law enforcement officers?

Freight — Cargo and Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Agents

Accidents with dangerous goods

Infrastructure risks: Terror threat and terror acts

Chapter 4. Bad Examples

Wrong response due to lack of training and knowledge

Anthrax suspicion 2016

Another suspicious case happened in 2018

Border-crossing incidents: A reflection

Part 2 CBRNe/ HAZMAT Training Analysis Based on Current Availabilities

Chapter 5. Education on CBRNe/HAZMAT for Police Officers

Current CBRN/HAZMAT training availabilities

Police Training and Education related to CBRN/HAZMAT incident response

Possible set-up and training implementation

Chapter 6. The Necessity in Designing Police Education in HAZMAT/CBRN

Overview on current CBRN/HAZMAT courses for law enforcement

Teaching subjects that should be taken into consideration

Subjects to be covered in CBRN/HAZMAT response

Capabilities

Part 3 Insight of a Possible Police Education Programme on CBRNe/HAZMAT

Chapter 7. Subject Content for CBRN/HAZMAT Police Education

Detailed look into subject content for CBRN/HAZMAT Police education

CBRN/HAZMAT levels of training

Operations level

Technician level

Incident command

Operational

Tactical

Strategic

Chapter 8. Investigation, Report Writing, and Intelligence Analysis

Investigation

First person on scene template

First look report

Evidence collection command post (ECCP)

CBRN/HAZMAT final report

Chapter 9. Possible Implementation Strategy for Learning Curriculum in CBRN/HAZMAT

How to implement a training schedule on CBRN topics

Continued Professional Education (CPD)

Awareness Course (one full day)

Specialised training courses