Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training (MCTFT) is a United States Department of Defense (US DOD) program managed by the National Guard that provides unique, tuition-free military and counterdrug training[2] for local, state, federal, and military criminal justice professionals as well as awareness training for community leaders.[3] The MCTFT program is funded by the Department of Defense and administered through the Florida National Guard, and exists to fulfill the counterdrug training needs of law enforcement personnel.[4] Nationally responsive, the program meets the training needs of all 50 U.S. states and four U.S. territories.[5]
 | |
| Origin | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Authorities | Title 10 (Armed Forces); Title 32 (National Guard); National Defense Auth. Act |
| Organizations supported | Military services Federal agencies State and local LEA Combatant Commands Counterdrug |
| Support types | On-site training Mobile training Course design Custom training Online training Distance learning |
| Students trained 1993–2013 | 6 million[1] |
MCTFT produces numerous public service announcements (PSAs) regarding the use, spread, and effects of drugs.[6] Media outlets across the United States routinely feature MCTFT PSAs and anti-drug videos in reports on the combating of local drug epidemics.[7]
Training Types
editEmerging Drug Threats MCTFT personnel provide instruction and awareness education on emerging drug threats and dangerous new drugs spreading across the United States.[8]
Local Law Enforcement Agency Training MCTFT provides training to local law enforcement officers on a variety of counterdrug law enforcement topics, such as secret compartment recognition education.[9] MCTFT trains local law enforcement agencies across the United States in tactical counterdrug operations.[10]
Military to Military Training MCTFT provides military training for counter-drug efforts, including courses in Counter-Threat Finance, Interview Techniques, tactical combat casualty care, land navigation, movement techniques, and weapon marksmanship.[11]
Federal Agency Training MCTFT provides training to numerous federal agencies.[12]
Tactical Medical MCTFT trains first responders to provide lifesaving intervention to wounded people in any type of environment. Adapted from military courses, TACMED was designed to teach Law Enforcement Officers the life saving medical techniques gained in combat.[13]
Online Training MCTFT provides numerous online counterdrug training courses and many police academies and colleges throughout the United States direct students to the MCTFT to fulfill some of their training requirements or to serve as important references in guiding careers in law enforcement.[14]
History
editIn 1981, the Military Cooperation with Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies Act was enacted, allowing the United States military to cooperate with civilian law enforcement officials in the support of counterdrug operations and other law enforcement operations. The legislation allows the U.S. military to give civilian law enforcement agencies access to its military bases and its military equipment.[15] The legislation was promoted during the Presidency of Ronald Reagan in the context of the War on drugs, and is considered a part of a general trend towards the militarization of police.[15]
The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 established the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which was charged with establishing policies, priorities, and objectives for the nation's drug control program; the office established five long-term goals, including the support of law enforcement officials and counterdrug training.[16] In 1989, the National Guard began conducting interdiction and anti-drug activities in the fight against illicit drugs.[17]
The Department of Defense established the MCTFT in 1993, and since this time the MCTFT has trainined more than one million registered students through live and distance learning courses.[18]
During an earmark declaration to Congress in 2009, Representative C. W. Young testified that the MCTFT "is the most comprehensive counter-drug training program today."[19]
Leadership
editAdjutant General - MG Michael A. Calhoun
Joint Director of Military Support - COL William J. Beiswenger, Jr
MCTFT Commandant - CPT John Clark
MCTFT SEA - CSM Juan Sanchez
Authority to Operate
edit"Under such regulations as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau may establish and operate, or provide financial assistance to the States to establish and operate, not more than 5 schools (to be known generally as 'National Guard counterdrug schools')."[20]
References
edit- ^ "About Us". MCTFT.org. MCTFT. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ "Continuing Police Education". Police Magazine. September 17, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Earmark Declaration - Hon. C.W. Bill Young" (PDF). U.S. Government Publishing Office. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Law Enforcement Resource Guide" (PDF). FLETC. Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Florida Gang Reduction Strategy 2008 - 2012" (PDF). Florida Gang Reduction. Office of the Attorney General of Florida. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Meth - Illegal Manufacturing, Abuse & Trafficking / Video PSA". United States First Responders Association. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "National Anti-Drug Video Features Bangor". WABI-TV. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Brewer police lieutenant teaching national task force about bath salts". Bangor Daily News. February 20, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "ScORE Training Class- Secret Compartment Recognition Education". BLUtube. Police One. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "SWAT goes through specialized training". Monroe County Sheriff's Department. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Training". Florida Guard Online. Florida National Guard. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Training U.S. Marshals". DVIDS. Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Tac Med FREE Online Training". Project Triage.
- ^ "Training Announcement". University of Vermont. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ^ a b Balko, Radley (September 11, 2011). "A Decade After 9/11, Police Departments Are Increasingly Militarized". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ "DOD COUNTERDRUG ACTIVITIES" (PDF). GlobalSecurity.org. United States General Accounting Office. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "NATIONAL GUARD DOMESTIC COUNTERDRUG SUPPORT TO UNITED STATES LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. Colonel Stephen M. Bloomer, United States Army. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Multijurisdictional Counter-Drug Task Force". United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Earmark Declaration". Congressional Record. 155 (116): 2071. July 29, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
- ^ United States Code - Title 32 - Section 112 (PDF). Government Printing Office. 2011. p. 13. Retrieved April 17, 2015.