The Anti-Defamation League recently organized two training events for Boston-area law enforcement officers. The training sessions, titled Domestic Extremist Groups: Current Trends and Developments, brought together 75 officers from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to discuss current trends in domestic extremism.

ADL experts provided an overview of the right-wing and anti-government extremist movements currently active in the United States and detailed presentations on neo-Nazi and skinhead groups in the region.

The December 2-3, 2003 training involved representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Among the local departments represented were the Massachusetts State Police, the state Department of Corrections, MBTA (transit authority) Police and the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office.

Participants said the sessions helped them to gain new insight into the extent of extremism in America.

"I didn't realize how many different types of extremist groups are out there," said Terry Cunningham, Chief of Police in Wellesley, MA. "To see that they are right here in our backyard, and then to have the opportunity to speak with other law enforcement officials who have dealt with this hands on is really useful for myself and my department. I think ADL plays a critical role in providing us with information."

"These issues are of critical importance. The trainings were very successful," said Robert Leikind, ADL Boston Regional Director.

Please contact ADL for more information about our Extremism and Hate Crime Training for Law Enforcement Professionals.