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Northern Alabama Joint Terrorism Task Force

Jurisdication

The members of the NAJTTF operate out of the FBI Birmingham Field Division Office and Resident Agencies located in Gadsden, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, and Florence. Etowah County Sheriff’s Office personnel are assigned to the Gadsden Resident Agency which serves Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb, Marshal, Blount, St. Clair, Talladega, Cleburne, and Clay counties in Northeast Alabama. While these are the primary areas of responsibility for the Northern Alabama Joint Terrorism Task Force, their investigations often reach not only locally, but throughout the nation, and worldwide.

Authority

The Etowah County Sheriff’s investigator on the JTTF conducts investigations and operations with the authority of a federal agent by being deputized as a Special Deputy United States Marshal. Pursuant to Title 28, Federal Code of Regulations, the U.S. Marshals Service is authorized to deputize federal, state, and local law enforcement officers operating in support of a federal task force.  

Special Deputation Appointment from the United States Marshals Service is given under authority delegated by the U.S. Attorney General to perform duties of the Office of Special Deputy United States Marshal. This commission provides Etowah County Investigator’s federal authority to seek and execute arrest and search warrants supporting the NAJTTF.

Operations

In addition to investigating potential terrorism and terrorism cases, the JTTF is charged with the mission to prevent, detect, and deter terrorism. To accomplish this, JTTF investigators operate within several special programs and initiatives. These efforts focus on the front lines by strengthening partnerships and communication within local communities through liaisonship with business, industry, academia, other law enforcement entities, and public safety organizations.