In July 2003, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) supported by the U. S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) held the third executive session in California in the advancement of law enforcement efforts to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism. This paper summarizes participants’ discussions at the session, as well as follow-up site visits to New York City, Washington, DC, and Baltimore, MD. The intent of this paper is to assist local law enforcement agencies identify the opportunities and obstacles to effectively address bioterrorism threats, as well as to build partnerships with other first responders. The paper begins with a discussion of the threat and describes the response challenges for first responders. It details the biological agents that may be used in an attack, the likelihood of each kind of threat, and the critical response issues law enforcement agencies must address. Five critical areas involved in planning for and responding to a bioterrorism event are discussed and include: (1) detecting a biological attack; (2) notifying the proper first responders; (3) intervening in coordination with other responding agencies; (4) managing health care surge demands; and (5) maintaining communication with all agencies and the public. The paper identifies several proven strategies, tactics, and promising approaches that agencies can tailor to the concerns of a particular jurisdiction. The paper concludes with recommendations for local law enforcement agencies and others as they navigate their new role in a counterterrorism context. References, resources, and appendix