NYPD official: Fighting ISIS requires messaging

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Fighting and winning the war on terrorism will take more than military power; it will also take new messaging strategies. That is one of the recommendations coming out of a major meeting of law enforcement experts.

New Yorkers have become accustomed to heavily armed NYPD officers on patrol as a deterrent to any attack. But at a national security conference at Fordham Law School, NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller said ISIS has become very adept at marketing.

Former FBI Agent Ali Soufan, who spoke with Miller, outlined the recruiting successes of ISIS around the world. Miller brought it back home and said we already know what works. He said that religious scholars and community leaders need to convey the counter-narrative.

The deputy commissioner said ISIS makes promises to recruits about the benefits of joining that simply aren't true. He said the message of disgruntled former fighters needs to become part of the overall narrative.

Miller said he is confident we can successfully overcome the ISIS threat if we understand that messaging is one of their most effective weapons.