Stuart R. Erlenbush
Critical Incident Management L.L.P.
899-1525th Avenue, Mt. Pulaski, Illinois 62548
Telephone 217/792-5165
Email: critincmgt@yahoo.com.
Website: www.cimllp.com

Education

I am a 1973 graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree. I have attended numerous training seminars and conferences regarding Critical Incident Management, Hostage Negotiations, School Violence, and Terrorism. A comprehensive list of these courses, along with a list of the numerous courses, seminars, and conferences in which I was an instructor, speaker, or consultant are available on request.

Professional Accomplishments 

Police Experience 

I was hired as a Deputy Sheriff for the Logan County Sheriff’s Department, Lincoln, Illinois in February 1975. For nearly three years, I worked as a jailer, process server, patrol deputy, investigator, and evidence technician. 

In November 1977, I joined the Illinois State Police where I have held numerous positions. I started my career as a patrol Trooper and then moved to the Auto Theft Section. From there I was promoted to the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant supervising patrol Troopers. I transferred to the Division of Internal Investigation (DII) where I was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant. In DII, I conducted numerous white collar/fraud investigations and allegations of misconduct by state employees. I then transferred to the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) where I supervised a fraud squad, general criminal squad, and two separate narcotics squads. I was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and completed a short stint in the Inspections and Audits Unit. I then became the Commander of State Police District 8 Investigations and Director of the Multi-County Narcotics Enforcement Group (Multi-Jurisdictional Narcotics Unit) in Peoria, Illinois. Three years later I held similar positions as the Commander of State Police District 9 Investigations and the Director of the Central Illinois Enforcement Group (Multi-Jurisdictional Narcotics Unit) in Springfield, Illinois. I remained in this position until transferring to the Critical Incident Response Command where I became the Commander of the unit. I completed my career assigned to the Office of Director of the Illinois State Police as the Senior Terrorism Advisor. I retired on June 30, 2008.

Hostage Negotiator 

In 1989 I became an ISP Hostage Negotiator. Due to my self-initiative and self-study, I quickly became a Regional Hostage Negotiation Team Leader. In 1997 I was named the Chief Negotiator for the ISP, a position I held until retirement. Since 1989 I have been involved in over eighty critical incidents. In 1997 I gained national attention as the Chief Negotiator for the ISP during the 39 Day Stand-Off at Roby, Illinois (September 27, 1997 -- October 30, 1997), involving a mentally ill female. As a result, I have been a guest speaker at the following locations: FBI National Academy, Quantico, Virginia; California Association of Hostage Negotiators, Texas Association of Hostage Negotiators, South Carolina Association of Hostage Negotiators, Northern Illinois Association of Hostage Negotiators, Iowa Association of Correctional Negotiators, Missouri Highway Patrol, Illinois Department of Corrections, Federal Penitentiary-Marion Illinois, and FBI–St. Louis, Missouri. I was the lead instructor for the ISP Crisis Negotiation Unit and certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board as an Instructor for the following courses: Critical Incident Management, Basic and Advanced Crisis Negotiation, and Terrorism. I have taught countless law enforcement officers, correctional officers, fire service personnel, emergency management personnel, EMS, teachers, school administrators, and city and county governmental personnel. Over the past several years I have completed over 1000 hours of training in the aforementioned courses. Additionally, I have completed extensive research into the “domestic right wing movement”. 

In September 1999, I was invited to participate in the FBI National Symposium of Crisis Negotiators at the FBI Academy. This Symposium included fifty FBI negotiators and fifty negotiators from throughout the country. From this group, I was one of seven domestic police negotiators invited to attend the September 2000 FBI International Symposium of Crisis Negotiators again at the FBI Academy. Our group, referred to as the “Magnificent Seven” was acknowledged as “leaders” in the discipline of crisis/hostage negotiations. During this Symposium, our group, along with staff from the FBI Critical Incident Response Group laid the foundation for the creation of a National Council of Crisis Negotiators to support the various Crisis/Hostage Negotiation Associations across the country.  

In December 2000, I was invited to Las Vegas, Nevada as a subject matter expert to a two day Focus Group sponsored by the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). The topic was “Extremists Negotiations–Considerations and Tactics. As a result, IIR published a paper entitled “We Have The Place Surrounded; Now What? Negotiating With Extremists: Is There A Difference?” 

Critical Incident Response Command (CIRCOM) 

The Critical Incident Response Command was formed in August 1998. This specialized unit included three full-time Tactical Response Teams (TRT/SWAT), Crisis Negotiators, and an Intelligence component. I was appointed as the first Crisis Negotiation Commander assigned to CIRCOM. In February 1999, I was promoted to Commander of the Critical Incident Response Command. I supervised fifty-six tactical officers and 22 crisis negotiators. CIRCOM’s primary responsibilities included high-risk arrest and search warrants; hostage/barricade/suicidal incidents; response to natural disaster including tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes; and transportation accidents including train and airline disasters. Additionally, CIRCOM is charged with providing security at high profile events including the Governor’s Inauguration, Papal Visit, and Presidential Visits to the state. In 1998, I developed a school violence program entitled “Understanding and Dealing With Critical Incidents In Schools”. This program was adopted by the Illinois Attorney General’s School Violence Task Force and delivered to hundreds of school districts throughout the state in 1999 and 2000. 

Senior Terrorism Advisor, Office of the Director

Immediately after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, I was assigned to the Office of the Director as the Senior Terrorism Advisor. In this capacity, I provided guidance to the Director’s of the Illinois State Police and Illinois Emergency Management, the Deputy Governor, and the Governor of Illinois. I also acted as the ISP liaison to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). I coordinated all ISP initiatives related to terrorism. This included representing ISP on the Governor’s Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF). I served as the primary liaison with the Federal Bureau of Investigation with a “Top Secret” national security clearance. Additionally, I supervised ten ISP Agents assigned to the Chicago FBI and Springfield FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces. I also provided oversight to the other terrorism task forces including the three United States Attorney’s Terrorism Task Forces, and the Illinois Chiefs of Police Terrorism Task Force. I was the first Commander of the State Weapons of Mass Destruction Team, a multi-disciplinary unit comprised of personnel from the ISP, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Secretary of State Bomb Squad, and the Illinois Fire Service Institute. I also acted as the primary ISP representative to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Operations Center. I chaired an ISP committee to develop terrorism curriculum for presentation to all 2300 sworn ISP officers. This curriculum was also provided to the United State’s Attorney’s Office and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board for dissemination to all law enforcement officers in the state. 

Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF) 

The Illinois Terrorism Task Force first met in October 1999. The First Deputy Director of ISP and I were the two primary State Police representatives. I was asked to develop a plan for a comprehensive state response to a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incident. I authored a “Concept of Operations Paper” which became the blueprint for the creation of the State Interagency Response Teams, renamed the State Weapons of Mass Destruction Teams (SWMD). This paper was unanimously approved by the original ten ITTF State agencies and the American Red Cross. (On October 26, 2004, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich accepted the prestigious Harvard University’s Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, John F. Kennedy School of Government Award recognizing the State Weapons of Mass Destruction Team as one of the most effective homeland security programs in the country.) As the SWMD Commander, I directed all aspects of the team’s activities including planning, training and operations. There are three primary components to the SWMD. They include the Command Component, Primary Response Team, and the Technical Support Team. The Primary Response Team is comprised of ISP Tactical Response Team Officers (SWAT), ISP Crisis Negotiators, ISP Hazardous Material Officers, and Secretary of State Bomb Squad Officers. The Technical Support Team is comprised of experts from the Illinois Department of Public Health (Biological), Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Chemical), Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety (Nuclear/Radiological), Illinois Emergency Management Agency (Consequence Management), and the Illinois Fire Service Institute (HAZMAT). To date, the Illinois SWMD Team is the only State Multi-Disciplinary WMD Team in the country. This team is being looked at as a national model. All SWMD personnel are trained to the Hazardous Material Technician level.

National Guard Bureau Automated Exercise Assessment System (NGAEAS)/Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) 

In February, 2002, I received an invitation from the National Guard Bureau, 111 George Mason Drive, Arlington, Virginia to attend a series of NGB AEAS Stakeholder Conferences. The conferences were two day events held in April, July, and August 2002. I was invited to attend as a law enforcement subject matter expert in the terrorism arena. The purpose of the conferences was to assist in the development of a series of automated exercises of simulated terrorist events utilizing weapons of mass destruction. The ultimate goal is to produce realistic computerized training scenarios that will combine multiple disciplines (Police, Fire, EMS, HAZMAT, Public Works, Utilities, Hospitals, etc.) interactively participating via a “local area network” in planning and responding to a terrorist event. I was honored to represent the Illinois State Police as one of two police agencies in the country to participate in this project.  

TOPOFF II

TOPOFF II, a congressionally mandated training exercise held in Illinois, Oregon, and Canada in May 2003. This exercise involved numerous disciplines, including law enforcement, fire service, hazardous material teams, public health, emergency management, public works, hospitals, emergency medical systems, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, State Weapons of Mass Destruction Teams, Illinois National Guard Civil Support Team, Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, United State’s State Department, Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Homeland Security, and Applied Marine Technology Incorporated (AMTI). This exercise took over one year of planning and five actual exercise days to complete. I was the primary Illinois State Police point of contact. In this capacity, I worked diligently with DOJ and AMTI to formulate a security plan for the delivery of the Strategic National Pharmaceutical Stockpile from its arrival at Chicago International Airport to delivery to Regional Distribution Centers. Additionally, I provided input regarding the capabilities of the State Weapons of Mass Destruction Teams and assisted in the scripting of the exercise involving a fictional terrorist cell possessing plague, improvised explosive devices, chemical manufacturing facility, and a stinger missile. During the exercise, I acted as the primary controller/evaluator representing all state agencies assigned to the exercise. I am the author of a detailed after-action report identifying areas of concern with recommendations for improvement.

Consulting

Illinois Fire Service Institute

I have worked contractually with the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), University of Illinois as a Field Instructor. I review various curriculum concerning courses offered by IFSI. These courses include Incident Command System, Unified Command System, Hazardous Material Operations, Hazardous Material Technician A, Hazardous Material Technician B, and Emergency Response to Terrorism—Basic Concepts. In addition to the curriculum review, I assist in the delivery of these courses to the fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical personnel.

Illinois State Police Consultant

I completed a three month contract with the Illinois State Police in which I provided three major services. I authored a comprehensive TOPOFF ATFER-ACTION REPORT to the agency identifying the strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for improvement learned from the TOPOFF II Full-Scale Terrorism Exercise. Additionally, I assisted the Illinois State Police in completing the curriculum for a 16 Hour Law Enforcement Terrorism Course for all police officers in the state. Finally, I represented the Illinois State Police on a committee formulating curriculum for a Unified Command Course for delivery to all first responders in the state. This course is designed as an extension of the Incident Command System at the strategic level when the incident overwhelms a local jurisdiction’s resources. The course is being structured to comply with the newly developed Federal National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Illinois Department of Public Health Site Security Consultant

I completed a contract with the Illinois Department of Public Health in which I conducted facility site security analysis for several offices around the state. Included in these surveys were building penetrations past security, perimeter security, heating and air conditioning vulnerabilities to chemical/biological attacks, employee awareness, commodity deliveries, public and employee access, agency policies regarding security, first responder procedures, etc. Additionally, I provided a Workplace Security presentation to be delivered to all agency employees. I submitted a comprehensive final report to the agency Director that included my findings and recommendations for improvement.

Applied Marine Technology Incorporated Consultant

I worked a contract with Applied Marine Technology Incorporated (AMTI), based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I prepared detailed terrorist and weapons of mass destruction related training scenarios for police SWAT teams, HAZMAT teams, EMS, and the Fire Service. I served as a primary controller/evaluator during terrorism related scenarios in the following Illinois cities: Effingham, Monticello, Springfield, Peoria, and Chicago. These exercises were full-scale terrorism scenarios that lasted from one to five days. Two exercises were Public Health Dispensing Exercises in the City of Peoria and Chicago. The Chicago Exercise was a two-day event at Soldier Field involving over 1000 participants, the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Office of Emergency Management.

Innovative Emergency Management Incorporated Consultant

I have a contract with Innovative Emergency Management Inc. (IEM), based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with offices in several major cities across the country. I have worked a number of projects as outlined below.

I have assisted with the development of an all discipline first responder course that integrates the Incident Command System (ICS) into the recently mandated National Incident Management System. This course is part of a pilot project sponsored by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and is scheduled to be delivered to multiple jurisdictions throughout the country.

I have assisted with the development of an all discipline first responder course for the preparation of Terrorism Incident Annexes, including Chemical, Biological, Explosive, Radiological, and Nuclear Weapons of Mass Destruction. This course is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Domestic Preparedness and is offered to jurisdictions throughout the country. Additionally, I participated in the delivery of Terrorism Prevention Workshops in Edmond, Oklahoma, International Falls, Minnesota, White River Junction, Vermont, and Detroit, Michigan.

I have assisted with the development of an all discipline first responder course for Terrorism Prevention. This course is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Domestic Preparedness and is scheduled for delivery to numerous jurisdictions throughout the country. Additionally, I participated in the delivery of Terrorism Prevention Workshops in Phoenix, Chicago, and Denver. I acted as a primary facilitator during the State of Arizona Homeland Security Summit in March of 2005.

I visited thirteen state and/or Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) jurisdiction for the National Plan Review Project ordered by President Bush. In this role, I worked with a four person team, traveling to numerous jurisdictions where emergency plans were reviewed for catastrophic event capabilities. I also served as a facilitator for the National Plan Peer Review in Emmitsburg, Maryland. I authored a portion of the report submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and then on to the President and Congress.

I have worked extensively with the New Jersey Transit Authority in writing Terrorism Incident Annexes to their Emergency Operations Plan. These annexes were specific to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive Incidents. I recently assisted in writing proposed NJT Procedures for the Hoboken Terminal in Response to a Weapon of Mass Destruction Incident.

I provided input for a Custodial Correctional Officers Terrorism Awareness project to provide standardized terrorism training for federal, state, and local correctional personnel.

I assisted IEM in winning a security contract with the St. Louis Port Authority

I acted as the primary law enforcement facilitator for the New Madrid Seismic Zone Workshops in Paducah, Kentucky and Jefferson City, Missouri. Local, state, and federal law enforcement responsibilities during a catastrophic earthquake along the New Madrid Fault were examined in great detail. Each location developed a matrix detailing and prioritizing the roles of the different agencies for the first 72 hours, two weeks, and 30 days.

Security Solutions International

I do contractual work with Security Solutions International in Miami, Florida who provide law enforcement training internationally. I have attended four Suicide Terror Courses taught by instructors from Israel. Courses offered include: Suicide Terror, Ship Security Officer, Port Security Officer, Counter-Terrorism, Helicopters In Emergency Preparedness, Readiness Teams for Business, Homeland Security for Business, Basic Institutional Security for Security Staff, Israeli Instinctive Point Shooting, Israeli Fighting Systems, Counter-Terrorism SWAT, Crisis Response Team Training, and others. I represent SSI at various training venues coordinating the activities of the speakers with the sponsoring agency.

Illinois Law Enforcement Governing Board

I worked a contract for the Illinois Law Enforcement Governing Board to develop policies for the newly formed Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Weapons of Mass Destruction Special Response Teams (ILEAS WMD-SRT). The teams are comprised of local jurisdiction police SWAT teams who are being trained and equipped to respond to a terrorism weapons of mass destruction event. The teams were formed and patterned after the State Weapons of Mass Destruction Team (SWMD) to provide a quicker response to an event. Their mission capabilities are to contain an event until the SWMD team arrives. The ILEAS WMD-SRT teams will then support the SWMD team until the mission is completed. As the architect and first commander of the SWMD Teams, I have the experience and insight into this very specialized area of law enforcement.

Security Mission to Israel November 2006

From November 3 through November 11, 2006 I traveled to Israel with SSI to study the security measures used by the Israelis to counter the threat of terrorism on a daily basis. I was granted access to sensitive installations and provided in-depth briefings regarding each site’s security. In all security venues, the Israelis employ Circles of Security, a multi-layered approach. While there, I conferred with top experts from the Israeli Defense Forces (Military), Israeli Police, and the Shin Bet (Israeli CIA). I visited the following locations and received security briefings at each: Power Plant at Ashqelon, Seaport at the Port of Ashod; Government Security at the Knesset (Israeli Congress) and the Ministry of Tourism; Holy Site Security, Jerusalem (Wailing Wall, Dome of the Rock, Holy Church of the Sepulcher, Old City of Jerusalem); Mall & Office Building Security (Azreily Center, Tel Aviv; Hotel Security, Mediterranean Hotel, Tel Aviv; Airport Security, at Ben Gurion International Airport.

Lincoln Illinois Police Department Audit

I have conducted an audit of the Lincoln Police Department for the Mayor and City Council of Lincoln, Illinois. I reviewed all departmental policies and procedures, and interviewed all personnel to determine their general police knowledge and knowledge of departmental policies. Each officers training records were examined, along with a complete review of accident reports, incident reports, and criminal investigative reports. Interaction and relationships with outside agencies was also examined. On March 28, 2007, I presented my final report to the Mayor of the City of Lincoln.

Chief of Police, Lincoln, Illinois

In May 2007, I was appointed to the position of Chief of Police in Lincoln, Illinois. Lincoln, Illinois is located approximately 30 miles north of Springfield near the center of the state. The Lincoln Police Department has 25 sworn officers and 1 clerical. The agency has 2 Detectives, 1 School Safety (DARE) officer, a Narcotics Officer, an Emergency Response Team, and a Canine Officer. I worked with the Mayor and City Council to change the appointment of the Deputy Chief by the Chief of Police. I completely overhauled the selection process to include a written test, physical agility test, psychological test, full background investigation, oral interview, polygraph test, and a medical evaluation. I have made officer training a high priority for the agency.

Critical Incident Management L.L.P.

I have started my own consulting company registered with the, Illinois Secretary Of State’s Office. Critical Incident Management L.L.P., 899-1525th Avenue, Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, 62548, Telephone 217/280-0424, Home phone 217/792-5165, Email: critincmgt@yahoo.com, Website: www.cimllp.com. The business offers personalized consulting in the areas of Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Critical Incident Management, Hostage Negotiations, School Violence, Security Assessments, and Emergency Planning. Additionally, training areas offered include: Domestic Terrorism, International Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Suicide Bombers, Critical Incident Management, Hostage Negotiations, School Violence, and Suicide Intervention. I am currently working as an independent homeland security contractor with various firms.

Summary 

I hope this document provides a snapshot of my credentials as a police officer, hostage negotiator, instructor, training background, and as an individual who has an extensive background in the terrorism arena.

I served as the Commander of the Illinois State Police Critical Incident Response Command. This command was comprised of three, full-time Tactical Response Teams (SWAT) and a (Hostage) Crisis Negotiation Team. I was the Chief Hostage Negotiator for the Illinois State Police for several years. I was actively involved in over 100 critical incidents (hostage, barricade, suicide) for the Illinois State Police.

As the architect for the State of Illinois Weapons of Mass Destruction Teams (Recipient of the prestigious Harvard University’s Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, John F. Kennedy School of Government Award recognizing the State Weapons of Mass Destruction Team as one of the most effective homeland security programs in the country), I pride myself as being a progressive thinker.

Additionally, I offer a lot of experience in working across numerous disciplines, to include police, fire, public health (biological), environmental protection (chemical), nuclear safety (nuclear/radiological), bomb squads (explosive), and emergency management.

As the supervisor for all Illinois State Police Officers assigned to two FBI Field Divisions, with National Security Clearance, I was actively exposed to both domestic and international terrorism criminal investigations. This experience has provided me with an insight into how terrorists and terrorist organizations operate.

Over several years, I have had the initiative to attend numerous terrorism courses and seminars and I have compiled an extensive library regarding terrorism.

I am member of the International Association of Security and Counter-Terrorism Professionals and the Illinois Tactical Officers Association. I regularly attend their annual conferences.

I have written numerous scenario-based terrorism exercises and acted as the lead controller for many of those exercises. I worked extensively with AMTI in the scenario development and execution of the TOPOFF II Exercise in Chicago in 2002.

I have developed numerous Power Point Presentations concerning a multitude of terrorism related subjects. I am a certified police instructor with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and Illinois State Police. I have taught hundreds of local, state, and federal police officers, and correctional officers. I have spoken as a guest instructor at several Hostage Negotiation Conferences around the country. I have been a guest instructor at the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia. I developed a school violence program in 1999 entitled Understanding and Dealing With Critical Incidents In Schools. This program was taught in schools across Illinois in 1999 and 2000.

I provide site security assessments based on many years of experience and a thorough study of Israeli security systems and measures.

I consider myself an individual who can and will work openly across numerous disciplines. The number one trait for an effective police negotiator is being a good “listener”. Until you hear the message from a hostage taker, you cannot effectively work to solve the problem. I believe the same principle applies in the private sector in that you must learn, through listening, what the client wants and needs, and then work to satisfy those needs. I am a listener and a team player. If my credentials interest your firm, please contact me at 217/280-0424 or 217/792-5165 or Email: critincmgt@yahoo.com, Website: www.cimllp.com. Thank you for your consideration.