WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Homeland Security Department is looking to improve communication and coordination with local officials during anti-terror operations by assigning a new liaison officer to New York and possibly Los Angeles.The decision to send a full-time DHS liaison to the New York Police Department comes after criticism that a recent subway terror alert was marred by mixed signals from local and federal authorities.Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told Rep. Peter King, R-New York, at a private meeting that he would send a member of his headquarters operation center to New York's police headquarters in lower Manhattan.DHS is also considering sending a full-time liaison to the Los Angeles Police Department, DHS spokesman Russ Knocke said Thursday. And, in the future, homeland security officials will work to put out joint statements with local officials in the event of a localized terror alert, he said."Like any relationship, you recognize you can always find ways to grow and strengthen those ties, and we've been interested in doing so," Knocke said. "We hope to move on it very quickly."King praised the move and said that, if it works in New York and Los Angeles, the agency should consider expanding the liaison program to other metropolitan areas. "They definitely need to have more of a presence in the major police departments," said King, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee.King had criticized DHS officials for casting doubt on New York's decision to issue a public warning on October 6 about a possible bomb plot against the city transit system. In the days that followed the warning, homeland security officials cast doubt on the credibility of the threat information.Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.