Public Safety/Homeland Security
Dr. Pastor is often described as “street smart.” This description comes from his serving in one of the top tactical policing units in the country. That experience, coupled with studying the dynamics and methods of terrorism for almost four decades, makes Dr. Pastor a rich resource for helping companies understand threat analysis. His ability to synthesize legal, societal, political, operational and theoretical implications of terrorism and extremist violence makes him truly a unique resource for any company or organization seeking to maximize safety and security.
Significant Work
- Chicago Police Department:
- Tactical Police Officer, Gang Crime Enforcement Unit
Dr. Pastor jumped started his career after serving as a patrol officer (see below) when he moved to being a tactical police officer in the Gang Crime Enforcement Unit for the City of Chicago, one of the country’s top tactical units. During his service, he provided proactive tactical law enforcement directed at gang activities, focusing on drug and weapons violations in high crime areas.Participating in numerous joint enforcement operations with the F.B.I., A.T.F., and Illinois State Police gave him unduplicated experience in what really goes on in the streets. He was involved in the execution of search warrants at the “El Rukn” fort and in other large-scale gang crime initiatives.
- Tactical Police Officer, Gang Crime Enforcement Unit
- Patrol Officer, 21st District
Additional Experience
- Cook County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
Dr. Pastor conducted security camera assessments and related specifications pursuant to the Urban Area Security Initiative, a program that assists high-threat, high-density Urban Areas in efforts to build and sustain the capabilities necessary to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. The assessment focused on homeland security threats, legal exposures, and overall vulnerabilities at the Richard J. Daley Center.
- Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center- Terrorism & Intelligence Training
For this engagement, Dr. Pastor developed and delivered a three-day training curriculum for police officers assigned as liaisons to the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center. The Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center is one of 79 fusion centers in the United States. Operated by local and state law enforcement in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, fusion centers serve as a command center for gathering, analyzing and disseminating intelligence and other public safety information.
- Illinois Institute of Technology-Public Safety Research
Dr. Pastor was asked to conduct research of Public Safety services provided by a private security firm to the college community. His research involved interviewing, document analysis, ride-alongs, and implementing survey data all designed to assess the functions and viability of the privatization arrangement.
- San Francisco Patrol Special Police
Dr. Pastor’s contract for this engagement was with Patrol Special Police Association to provide legal and operational guidance relating to their patrol functions. The Patrol Special Police was incorporated into the San Francisco’s charter in 1856. Over the years, Patrol Special Officers have received many commendations for their exemplary service and dedication to the City of San Francisco. Dr. Pastor’s services included a presentation before the San Francisco Police Commission, the organization that sets policy for the Police Department and conducts disciplinary hearings on charges of police misconduct.
Dr. Pastor’s Professional Certifications
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certified by ASIS International. Considered the gold standard in the security industry.
- Critical Incident Protocol: Community Emergency Networking Team
Community facilitation training funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and delivered by Michigan State University designed to build public-private partnerships for joint critical incident management utilizing an “all hazards” approach.
- State & Local Anti-Terrorism Training Program (SLATT)
Train-the-Trainer Certification sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). This twenty-hour training program was designed to enable the certified instructor to deliver anti-terrorism training programs to law enforcement and security personnel.
- Terrorism Awareness & Response Academy (TARA)
Certification related to the detection, prevention, and response to acts of terror and other domestic emergencies. This thirty-two-hour training program was designed by the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Chicago Police Department.
Professional Presentations
Dr. Pastor is often called upon to give presentation on Public Safety/Homeland Security by many major associations and companies. Some of the organizations that have tapped him for his expertise are:
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
- American Society of Criminology
- Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)
- ASIS International, Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS)
- Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
- Midwest Security Association
- Abbott Laboratories
- Missouri Governor’s Conference