Homeland Security Investigations officially opened its new office in Chattanooga, Tenn., May 5.
HSI is the "principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel,and finance move," the agency said in a May 6 news release.
“Today is another step in the evolution that is HSI Nashville," Special Agent in Charge Jerry C. Templet Jr., said in the release. "This building, and this ceremony, is a commitment to Eastern Tennessee, the city of Chattanooga and the surrounding areas. With our organizational culture, we are both willing and able to assist our law enforcement partners in innovative and novel ways."
HSI has 10,400 employees, including more than 7,100 special agents in 220 cities throughout the U.S. and 80 overseas locations, according to the release.
"Our special agents and our task force officers are uniquely equipped and highly motivated – it is through that collaboration and collective dedication to the protection of our communities, that we will be successful,” Templet said in the release.
The grand opening ceremonies of the Chattanooga office included an awards presentation to officers with the Chattanooga Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the news release said.
The officers were recognized "for their work on several large-scale child exploitation cases, including one that crossed multiple state lines and involved more than a dozen victims," the news release said.
