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Homeland Security chief Napolitano addresses FOP convention

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano focused on the importance of partnering with local law enforcement during remarks Monday morning to the National Fraternal Order of Police convention in Cincinnati.

She told some 4,000 first responders from around the country and Ireland that her department has been beefing up its cooperative efforts, especially by creating Fusion Centers where national and local agencies can share information.

"We need to continue to work to improve the security clearance process so that you on the front lines have access to some of the same types of information that we have," says Napolitano.

Napolitano also tackled border security, saying an the country's immigration laws must be modernized.

"It will enable law enforcement along the border to keep our focus where it needs to be: on (narcotics) traffickers, on human smugglers, on trans-national criminal organizations," she says.

Changes in immigration policy would also free up police to focus public security threats, says Napolitano.

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.