Iona College to Present First Conference On Security Threat Assessment, March 25

Law Enforcement Experts to Address Domestic Terrorism and Other Security Threats at Day-Long Session for Practitioners

New Rochelle, NY (February 2011) Top local, state and federal law enforcement experts will participate in Iona College's first Conference on Security Threat Assessment from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday, March 25 at the college's Christopher J. Murphy Auditorium, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle.

Among the topics that will be addressed are:

• Defining Security Threat Assessment and Its Significance Today
• Security Threat Groups - The Challenges of Gangs
• Best Practice Strategies and Crisis Management Planning for Public and Private Sectors
• New Faces of Terrorism: The Radicalization of America
• Emerging Trends in Terrorism - What the Future Holds

Cathryn Lavery, Conference Coordinator and Chair of Iona's Criminal Justice Department, which is presenting the conference, said: "This will be the most comprehensive overview of security threat presented by experts who are actively working in the field." She also noted that the conference is designed for terrorism experts and consultants, educators, court officials, school and private security representatives, hospital administrators, social workers and other practitioners and students majoring in education, criminal justice and political science.

David T. Mulcahy, Conference Coordinator, is a 19-year veteran of the probation &
parole fields on both the state and federal level. Currently, Mr. Mulcahy is a United States Probation Officer for the Southern District of New York assigned to the Special Offender Unit, where he supervises organized crime, violent gangs and terrorist offenders. In addition, he is a liaison to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) under the Intelligence Division of NYPD assigned to the Field Investigations Unit. An undergraduate of University of Lowell in Massachusetts and holding a Master of Arts from Seton Hall University, Mr. Mulcahy serves as an adjunct professor at Iona College and Pace University in Manhattan.

Among the featured presenters will be:

John Murtagh, a 14-year veteran of a major metropolitan police department who is currently assigned to counter terrorism duties, specializing in domestic terrorism and cyber-based investigations. Murtagh served 12 years of military service with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the U.S. Naval Reserve and was deployed as interrogator in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A graduate of St. Johns University, he is currently a candidate for a Masters of Public Administration at Marist College.

Jon Adler, who has served as a federal criminal investigator for the past 16 years, including the United States Attorney's Office, has worked on a wide variety of investigations in the fraud unit as well as with the Joint Terrorism Task Force. During his career, he has overseen large training programs, served as an instructor and program manager at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. He is also credited for having drafted the proposal for the Congressional Badge of Bravery Act that was ultimately signed into law in 2008. Among his notable professional accomplishments, Mr. Adler currently serves as the National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. Mr. Adler was also a first responder and team leader for both 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

Justin D. Pruyne, Deputy Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Correction, with oversight of special investigations, gang intelligence, litigation and public information. A graduate of Colgate University, he received his Juris Doctorate cum laude from Pace University School of Law and is an adjunct professor in Iona's Criminal Justice Program

Christopher S. Smith, a 20-year veteran of the Westchester County Department of Correction. Under his leadership, the County's Gang Intelligence Unit has played a critical role in helping to combat gang violence in Westchester's large cities by coordinating information and intelligence between the Department of Correction and federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. In 2009, the New York State Gang Investigators Association awarded Smith's Unit its “Gang Unit of the Year Award' in recognition of its exceptional dedication, expertise and commitment to combating gangs in the state.

The cost of admission to the conference, which qualifies for continuing education/training credits, is $100 per person and $50 for students and seniors. Online registration is available at http://www.iona.edu/crjconference

For more information, contact Dr. Lavery at (914) 633-2597 or at CLavery@iona.edu 

Founded in 1940, Iona College is a four-year private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education. It is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs.

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For questions or more information please contact:
Dawn Insanalli
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
Office: (914) 637-2726
Fax: (914) 637-2711
dinsanalli@iona.edu