Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Homeland Security Bureau have formed a new alliance with 54 Mid-South law enforcement agencies from three states and six counties. The “Operation Sudden Impact” initiative is designed to share information about crime with an emphasis on reducing the threat of terrorism.

“This is an unprecedented effort by the Sheriff’s Office to form new relationships with neighboring law enforcement agencies. Our goals are to routinely exchange crime information among various agencies in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas and get the public’s help to report any suspicious activity,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Homeland Security Bureau have made on-site inspections at various Memphis area businesses to identify any tactics terrorists might use to damage the businesses.

Additionally, more than 300 officers from the 54 different law enforcement agencies have received specialized training from the F.B.I. Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Memphis Crime Commission.

Along with training for law enforcement officers, classes for the public have been scheduled in various communities. Here are times and meeting locations for the two-hour sessions:

Shelby County
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
First Assembly of God Church
8650 Walnut Grove
Cordova, TN 38018

Tipton County
Thursday, March 20, 2008, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Jimmy Naifeh Center Auditorium
Dyersburg State Community College
3149 Highway 51 South
Covington, TN 38019

Fayette County
Thursday, March 27, 2008, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Bill G. Kelley Justice Complex
70 S Justice Drive
Somerville, TN

Desoto County
Thursday, March 27, 2008, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Desoto Civic Center
4650 Venture Drive
Southaven, MS 38671

For more information about the classes contact the Sheriff’s Office Homeland Security Bureau at (901) 947-0500.