Conducting investigations into major organized crime operations and terror plots is all in a day’s work for those employed in Buffalo homeland security jobs. The city’s location near the international border with Canada, its proximity to the largest city in the United States and its own urban environment have made Buffalo a crossroads for international smuggling and trafficking operations as well as earned it a federal terrorism designation of, “high-threat high-density.” To counter these threats law enforcement and investigative divisions have teamed up to form a number of task forces dedicated to joint homeland security training and operations in Buffalo. These include:
- The Buffalo Joint Terrorism Task Force
- The Buffalo Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council
- The FBI’s Buffalo Field Intelligence Group
- Department of Homeland Security Protective Security Advisors
- Erie County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Division
- New York State Police Office of Counter Terrorism
- Buffalo Police Department
Recent Homeland Security Success in Buffalo
Besides targeting criminals, homeland security forces also host consortiums and conduct public education campaigns. A recent conference was held in Buffalo focusing on the issue of human trafficking. The city is no stranger to the vice, and during the conference homeland security personnel stressed how important it is to work together with community leaders, non-governmental organizations, students, university faculty and law enforcement.
The victims of human trafficking in Buffalo are often times vulnerable young women or immigrants. A recent case involved a man who would physically abuse teenage women, coercing them into working for him while he kept 75 percent of their profits- that is until he was arrested by an undercover law enforcement agent. In this case the man was acting alone, but human trafficking cases often involve criminal organizations and gangs.
Planning for Buffalo Homeland Security Careers
Candidates planning for homeland security careers in Buffalo can start by being aware of a few initial requirements common among most homeland security jobs:
- Good character references, no felony convictions, and a mostly clean criminal record
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to work well on a team
- Valid driver’s license
Homeland security certification is often listed as a requirement in many job descriptions, with certain career paths requesting additional specializations. There are a variety of agencies around Buffalo that offer certification courses including:
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management offers certification for law enforcement, emergency management, federal and state agencies as well as public health employees through courses such as:
- National Incident Management Systems
- New York State Emergency Operations Center Management
- Hospital Command Center
- Mass Fatality Incident Response
Certification programs offered through the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management with the federal government include:
- Fundamentals of Homeland Security
- Terrorism in Today’s World
- Domestic Intelligence Operations
- Weapons of Mass Destruction
Many homeland security careers may also require a homeland security degree. In the Buffalo area there are several university and college programs where candidates can study for Associate and Bachelor Homeland Security Degrees. Having an associate degree provides a solid starting point for a homeland security career, with additional opportunities for specialization provided in a bachelor’s program.