New York Police to Station Officer in Australia

NEW YORK (Sputnik) — The New York Police Department (NYPD) will station an officer in Australia as part of its global counterterrorism program, according to NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.

“The detective that we are assigning [in Australia], he’ll be going down by the middle of June,” Bratton told NY1 News on Wednesday afternoon.

The NYPD’s International Liaison Program was formed in 2002 by former Commissioner Ray Kelly. As part of the program, NYPD officers have been stationed in 11 cities throughout the world.

Bratton explained the decision to send an officer to Australia stems from a growing threat of radicalism taking place in the region as well as around the world.

“Australia has had three incidents in recent months, ISIS inspired type radicalization of people in that country,” Bratton said.

The Commissioner noted the NYPD finds it very important to stay involved with law enforcement around the world that are dealing with terrorist threats, as well as to enhance the Department’s relationships with them.