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Preparing for Emergencies

NCJ Number
113139
Journal
Policing Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1988) Pages: 144-152
Author(s)
M Yardley
Date Published
1988
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The Multinational Alliance for Criminal Emergencies (MACE) provides a framework for an international police response to terrorist incidents.
Abstract
The proposed MACE structure would consist of a governing committee, a crisis management structure, an institutionalized mechanism for intelligence sharing, a group of experts on politically motivated crimes of violence (PMCV's) available to any approved national authority, and a multinational civil aviation police intervention unit with a warrant and capabilities to undertake transnational operations. As conceived, MACE would incorporate state-of-the-art security tactics and technology. It would be based on its own site in mainland Europe. The MACE force would consist of about 250 personnel, comprising operations, communications, intelligence, administrative, and response units. Three response units, with 28 operatives each, would be a special field intelligence team and a psychological warfare negotiating team. The MACE charter would state principles that bind the signatories together, define operational areas of deployment of MACE forces, and describe methods for activating the forces. The proposed design and exploratory phase would include three or four nations, with additional nations joining later. The implementation of MACE provides a cost-effective and active mechanism for deterring PMCV's and for crisis management that is a tangible statement of international commitment to peace and order.