By John McPhaul
jpmcphaul@gmail.com
Public Safety Secretary Alexis Torres Ríos announced Monday that he will serve on the Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Partners Advisory Board (HSLE PAB) for a term of two years.
With the appointment, Torres Ríos becomes the first head of an agency of the island government to hold such a position, a significant development for Puerto Rico and the Public Safety Department.
“It is an honor to be part of this important Board,” Torres Ríos said. “I am proud to represent Puerto Rico and the Department of Public Safety in this very important role, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to help protect the nation’s security.”
As part of the advisory board, Torres Ríos and the HSLE PAB provide Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, and the rest of the leadership of the federal intelligence community, with the opportunity to better carry the message of the national intelligence needs and issues of state, local, tribal and territorial partners (SLTTs), in addition to gaining insight into the intelligence’ community’s ability to help address key national security challenges manifesting in the United States.
Torres Ríos, with more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and emergency management, has been director of international operations in charge of the Western Hemisphere and deputy director of Puerto Rico operations for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The HSLE PAB supports the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in its efforts to coordinate and integrate the intelligence community’s approach to outreach and engagement with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners. The advisory board’s mission is to facilitate effective and efficient communication, coordination and collaboration between the intelligence community and its partners in support of the nation’s security.