Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Tuesday that the Port of Los Angeles will serve as the first facility to train law enforcement personnel specifically focused on port security.

The new center offers training programs in on-sea boardings, arrest procedures and boat searches as well as basic maritime workshops in boat-handling, chart reading and navigation.  Courses are open to officials from the local to the federal level who need maritime knowledge while serving in law enforcement.  The Port will also increase its counter-terrorism operations, as both Villaraigosa and Napolitano emphasized the need for greater attention to maritime safety.

The state of California has provided $4.5 million in funding to expand the officers’ curriculum, which was developed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Port Police, the Long Beach Police Department and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). 

Twenty-four port officers started the five week training courses two weeks ago.The federal government allotted $3 million to renovate training facilities and hire more instructors.  Twenty-four port officers started the five week training courses two weeks ago.

In addition to voicing support for the center’s new training programs, Napolitano also promoted her national “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign, which encourages the public to get involved in national security efforts by being vigilant about reporting suspicious activities.  The plan is already in place at Union Station and LAX and will be expanded to include the port.

“We are asking the American people to be vigilant and to help us help you,” Napolitano said.  “You help us be more effective in the work that we do, particularly at the local level.”