PHOENIX, AZ—The FBI is marking the 45th anniversary of the creation of its first Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Formed in New York in 1980, the first JTTF became a model for law enforcement cooperation across the nation.

The Phoenix Field Office established its JTTF in 1994. JTTFs can be found at each of the FBI’s 55 field offices.

JTTFs gather trained investigators, intelligence analysts, linguists, and tactical experts from federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Task force members share intelligence and investigative leads and respond to threats and incidents.

“We take tremendous pride in our partnerships with Arizona’s law enforcement agencies that focus every day on keeping our communities safe,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez. “Each of our partners brings unique skill sets to our JTTF, making us all that much stronger together.”

The FBI’s JTTF model dates to 1979, when the New York Police Department and the FBI’s New York Field Office created a joint task force to tackle violent bank robberies. They emulated the model in 1980, when terrorist bombings, bomb threats, and other violence plagued the city, and announced the formation of the first JTTF in April 1980.

After the 9/11 attacks, FBI leadership directed all FBI field offices to establish a JTTF. In addition, the FBI established its National Joint Terrorism Task Force to support the local task forces in June of 2002. The NJTTF, at FBI Headquarters, enhances communication, coordination, and cooperation from partner agencies.

The FBI Phoenix JTTF is comprised of nearly 20 law enforcement agencies from around Arizona.

FBI Phoenix holds regular JTTF executive board meetings to ensure ongoing communication and coordination that is critical for the safety and security of our communities.