Counter-terrorism drill held at Auburn Mall

Using Explosives Detection Dogs acquired through Federal Homeland Security Grants, Federal Agencies and Local Police Departments are participating in an exercise that will test the ability of law enforcement agencies throughout the commonwealth to protect students on school busses, and citizens in shopping malls.
The exercise will be held in the Auburn Mall on Sunday, November 22nd starting at 6 P.M. law enforcement explosive detection dog teams will be tested in their ability to conduct lengthy searches of school busses and stores located within a large mall complex. The exercise was requested by the U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Agency (ATF) and designed by the Auburn and Boston Police Departments. The Auburn and Boston Police Departments plan to use data from the exercise to assist law enforcement agencies throughout the country to plan response operations regarding threats of explosives.
In preparation for the upcoming exercise named the AUBURN PROJECT, Explosive Detection Dog Handlers recently completed an extensive explosives training program held at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center located in New Mexico. Funding to train the police dog handlers in New Mexico was also provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Agencies participating in the exercise include:

• US ATF
• US Air Marshals Service Explosives Detection K9 Unit
• U.S. Dept of Interior Explosive Detection K9 Unit
• Boston Police Department (Explosive Ordnance Unit and Explosive Detection K9 Unit)
• Transit Police Department (Explosive Ordnance Unit and Explosives Detection K9 Unit)
• Auburn Police Department
• Quincy Police Department
• Chelsea Police Department
• Everett Police Department
• Hanover Police Department
• Revere Police Department
• New Bedford Police Department
• Worcester Police Department

The Boston Police Department, the Auburn Police Department, and the Worcester Police Department are only police departments within the Commonwealth that have nationally certified explosives detection dog trainers certified by the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) and the U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Agency.
Recognizing that in Post 911 Police Environment, no single agency alone has the capability of responding to terrorist threats involving explosives, The Boston Police Department has worked collectively to train any requesting police department in this highly specialized police mission.