2007 Member News
2007
Foreign CMV Awareness Training Program
The International Association of Chiefs of Police, Division of State and Provincial Police and Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance are pleased to advise you of a valuable training opportunity available to state and local law enforcement agencies.
With the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the United States has seen a major increase in international commercial vehicle traffic between the US, Canada and Mexico, as a result the issue of foreign commercial vehicle traffic in the United States has become a homeland security issue and traffic safety problem. The vast majority of commercial traffic entering the United States from Mexico has remained within the commercial zones along the US/Mexico border, but in the foreseeable future, the borders between the three countries will open to unrestricted commercial vehicle traffic, allowing commercial trucks to pass beyond commercial zones and to deliver cargo and passengers throughout the United States. In addition, there have been numerous instances in which commercial vehicles based in Mexico have been encountered by law enforcement officers in the interior of the United States. In many cases, the operators of these vehicles exceeded their authority to enter the US, thus operating illegally.
In response to requests from several state and local law enforcement agencies, the IACP, in cooperation with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and with the support of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the USDOT, developed a program titled, "Commercial Vehicle Awareness Training" designed to inform uniformed patrol officers of the requirements for entry of commercial vehicles into the US from Canada and Mexico, to provide information on required driver and vehicle documentation as well as resources available from state and federal commercial vehicle enforcement agencies. The training program is three-hours in length, delivered in five modules. The training can be presented in a half-day format, or may be divided into five 30- to 45-minute modules for presentation at roll call or other venues.
The IACP will be conducting a series of five, one-day, train-the-trainer workshops for the purpose of training state commercial vehicle enforcement officers and others involved in traffic enforcement functions to present the training for officers of state, county and local agencies in their jurisdictions. All instructors attending the training session will receive copies of all training materials, as well as a CD with print-ready files of all instructor and student materials. We have been advised by the FMCSA that travel and per diem expenses for this training are reimbursable through MCSAP funding.
The train-the-trainer workshops are scheduled to take place at the following dates and locations:
- Denver, Colorado, August 21, 2007
- Denver, Colorado, August 22, 2007
- Austin, Texas, August 23, 2007
- Indianapolis , Indiana, August 28, 2007
- Windsor Locks, Connecticut, August 30, 2007
Because of limited facility size, we must limit each agency to no more than two participants. If additional space becomes available, we will accommodate additional students on a first-come, first-served basis. We have enclosed a registration form for your use in selecting the workshop(s) in which to enroll students.
We are hopeful that your agency will be able to participate in the train the trainer workshops, as we believe this training will provide valuable information to field officers who may encounter foreign-based commercial vehicles and drivers in the course of their duties. If additional information regarding the training program or the scheduled workshops is needed, please feel free to contact Clarence Bell at (800) 843-4227, ext. 215, or via email at bellc@theiacp.org.
2007
Rose A. McMurray Named as Chief Safety Officer for FMCSA
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced today that Rose A. McMurray has been appointed Chief Safety Officer and Assistant Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). McMurray has been FMCSA's Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development since 2003.
McMurray has more than 30 years of experience at the U.S. Department of Transportation, serving in a variety of Associate Administrator and other senior leadership roles in several operating administrations, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, when that agency was responsible for commercial motor vehicle safety, and the former Research and Special Programs Administration, where she served as Acting Administrator for one year.
"Rose has dedicated her entire career to transportation safety. Her numerous highway safety positions and solid results bring an impressive safety background to her new appointment. She has the experience we need to succeed in our effort to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses," said Peters.
FMCSA was established as a separate administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. It employs more than 1,000 individuals, in all 50 States and the District of Columbia, dedicated to improving bus and truck safety and saving lives.
Appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 1989, McMurray has been recognized with numerous honors throughout her career, including the Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank Award, the Secretary of Transportation's Meritorious Achievement Award, and the Secretary's Gold Medal for Leading DOT Efforts during the Midwest Floods. She has served on the Board of Advisors for the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently, and for the second time in her career, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for the National Safety Council.
