A New York City Police Department (NYPD) delegation, led by NYPD Police Commissioner James O’Neil, visited the General Command Police Special Unit (GCPSU) in Kabul, Afghanistan, on April 11. They received a brief on the terrorism threat in the region, as well as the successes GCPSU’s National Mission Units (NMU) are having in preventing, combating and responding to high profile attacks.
Discussions during the visit included counter corruption efforts in Afghanistan and the practical use of police tactics and techniques to reduce the threat of terrorism.
The NATO Resolute Support Mission and members of the General Command Police Special Unit will continue to share information with NYPD’s counter-terrorism unit, one of the most respected and sophisticated police units in the world, complete with sea, land, and air capabilities dedicated to foiling an attack on the homeland.
Speaking to AMNews in New York City, O’Neil said the terrorism threat is real. “We are constantly monitoring the threat stream each and every day, and every day, each and every threat is investigated.”
Similar to NYPD units, the National Mission Units (NMUs) are specialized police units that are principally used for national-level tactical responses, such as the Kabul International Hotel attack in January where the unit rescued 150 civilians and killed six insurgents. The NMUs are also charged with conducting high-risk arrests against criminals, terrorists, and insurgent suspects.