Picture: Susan Windmiller

Police from the Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) will host the forum in Melbourne, providing delegates with a valuable opportunity to network with key senior law enforcement stakeholders, working in the field of counter terrorism.

The forum will include presentations from Victoria Police, as well as several front line and tactical law-enforcement guest speakers from the UK, Northern Ireland, Belgium, France and the FBI.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton will be attending the forum which will include presentations from Eric Gigou (French RAID) who will provide an insight into the French threat environment and Dr Peter Collins from the Ontario Behavioural Analysis Unit who will discuss behaviours impacting the threat.

Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said the two day event would highlight the state, national and international involvement required to maintain security in Victoria.

“The safety and security of the Victorian community is our highest priority and it demands a sophisticated approach.” DC Patton said.

“It is important for us to share learnings from those who have experienced first-hand the impact of terrorism so that we can ensure we are doing everything we can to protect the Victorian community.”

Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command was established in May 2015 and over the last year had a number of successes using new legislation to work with other law enforcement agencies, security and State and Federal Government departments in countering the evolving threats to the Victorian security environment.

The CTC focus very heavily on assisting all international and national stakeholders in an education, training, prevention and disruption approach, which has also included use of the National Security Hotline.