Events Calendar

USC's Homeland Security Center (CREATE) Lecture Forum

Speaker: LT. BRIAN BANNING (RET), CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Talk Title: Understanding Homegrown Violent Extremists

Series: CREATE Lecture Forum

Abstract: Terrorist attacks in the United States have been in the spotlight since the shocking events of September 11, 2001. Most of America’s attention and focus have been on Al Qaeda and affiliated groups. While the internationally based terrorist groups have continued to attempt attacks in the continental United States, such as the Christmas Day attempt by the “Underwear Bomber” Umar Abdulmutallab, there is a growing awareness of the danger posed by Home Grown Violent Extremists (HVE’s). This is principally due to the fact that the internationally based attacks have all failed since September 11. By contrast, American born “actors” have killed dozens and their plots that could have kill hundreds more were disrupted.

Americans turn to violence for several different philosophies. Some develop sympathies with international movements. Some are affiliated with global hotspots with ongoing struggles. And some are related to movements that have been present for decades such as militias or sovereign citizens. All of these groups have unique characteristics that give us some insight into possible operations they may undertake. However, despite the philosophical uniqueness of the groups, there is a similarity in the psychological radicalization process each of these “actors” undergoes on their path to violence.

Hostage Negotiation as practiced by Law Enforcement is a unique analytical discipline. It involves the analyses of the origins of the human “actor”, then considers situational factors which have occurred to cause the “actor” to behave in the manner in which they have. Brian has interviewed dozens of these Homegrown Violent Extremists using the exclusive mindset of a Hostage Negotiator and will discuss these behaviors and characteristics.


Biography: Prior to his retirement with the Sacramento County (CA) Sheriff’s Department, Lt. Brian Banning was the founding Assistant Commander of the Sacramento Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Center, a multi-agency intelligence fusion center that supports the FBI led Joint Terrorism Task Force at the Top Secret level.

During his law enforcement career, Brian developed and supervised the jail intelligence unit and operated in Hostage Negotiations for 16 years participating in over 275 critical incidents, 100 at command rank as the team leader. He worked numerous cases involving Homegrown Violent Extremists and in the jail system came to know dozens more on a personal level. As a negotiator, getting to know the actual person and motivations behind the criminal behavior has always been his focus. His personal conversations with extremists from various belief systems developed his unique insights into the understanding of extremist behaviors.

A trained Intelligence Analyst, Lt. Banning holds a B.A. in Police Science. He was an elected member of the California Association of Hostage Negotiators’ Executive Board for 8 years, now an Honorary Life Member, ex president.

Brian currently supports the California Emergency Management Agency on statewide counterterrorism issues as an employee of SRA International. He also frequently teaches negotiations for D Prep, LLC.


In order to RSVP for this event, please email calicchi@usc.edu by February 6, 2013.

Host: Homeland Security Center @ USC (CREATE)

Location: Ronald Tutor Campus Center (TCC) - 227

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Erin Calicchio