American Samoa § 8.0103 - Department of Homeland Security

§ 8.0103. Department of Homeland Security

(a) There is established a Department of Homeland Security, as an executive department of the American Samoa Government within the meaning of Title 4, Chapter 3, A.S.C.A. (b) The responsibilities of the department are to: (1) work with agencies of the American Samoa Government and the US Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies, to prevent terrorist attacks within American Samoa, reduce the vulnerability of American Samoa to terrorism, and minimize the damage, and assist in the recovery, from terrorist attacks that do occur with American Samoa; (2) act as the Single State Agency (SSA) of the American Samoa Government designated to provide the overall coordination and administration of efforts to be funded by the US Department of Homeland Security; (3) be the lead agency in all efforts for the preparation of the Territory against natural or man-made disasters, and shall coordinate with federal agencies to secure and receive federal assistance in order to prepare for, or to recover from natural or man-made disasters; (4) develop a Territorial Homeland Security Operations Plan. This plan is to identify security and response weaknesses and prioritize specific homeland security projects and programs to address shortfalls and security lapses; (5) work with frontline first responders, government agencies, private sector and local communities in American Samoa to enhance security and the overall state of readiness in the territory; (6) identify and negotiate federal, state and community resources (human, financial, equipment) for the implementation of homeland security projects and programs; (7) ensure the appropriate expenditure of federal and local resources for the purposes of homeland security, drug and human trafficking enforcement and prevention; (8) monitor the implementation of homeland security programs and projects and reporting on the territorial state readiness to the Governor and the US Department of Homeland Security; (9) record and store all vital records and statistics of the Territory of American Samoa to assure their safe keeping, accuracy and authenticity upon their proper issuance; (10) coordinate, consolidate and collaborate the efforts of its component agencies into a cogent whole that supports the overall purposes of all-hazard preparedness, response, detection, deterrence, prevention and enforcement; (11) carry out those functions and responsibilities as stated in Section 26.0106, A.S.C.A.; (12) execute the duties and responsibilities necessary to fulfill the American Samoa Government’s obligations and commitments to the: South Pacific Islands Criminal Intelligence Network (SPICIN), International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime Information Center (FBI-NCIC), El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), and other regional and international law enforcement programs; (13) gather intelligence information regarding drug trafficking and elements of organized crime and other illegal or suspect activities in the Territory and share the same with other law enforcement agencies in the Territory; (14) coordinate the flow of information between involved agencies on major criminal investigations involving narcotics, white collar crime, and corruption in government operations; and (15) coordinate information collection and sharing on drug and human trafficking and white collar crimes with federal, state, territorial and local law enforcement agencies which have similarly provided for the coordination of enhanced intelligence sharing, investigative efforts, training, and the increased competence and proficiency of law enforcement officers.