Research Brief

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Northern Arizona University *

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315

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Feb 20, 2024

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Intelligence Fusion Centers Northern Arizona University Jeanette Martinez INT 315 Professor Rod Parish February 5, 2023
INTELLIGENCE FUSION CENTERS 2 Introduction At state and local level, intelligence is about understanding problems, and good intelligence provides a level of actionable information that can help solve criminal investigations. At the state and local level, and homeland security problems are endlessly dynamic and adaptive. “Whether it’s an emerging terror plot, the impact of recidivist crime, the brunt force of a superstorm or health alert, the obliqueness of cyber malware, or even the preparation required to get ready for a special event” (Ratcliffe, 2016, pg.21). Following the September 11 attacks, the need to develop a response for a terrorist threat became of paramount importance to effectively share information and intelligence across all government agencies. Fusion centers were created to detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity through the improvement of information sharing and analysis within all state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Organization Built on existing criminal intelligence efforts, fusion centers are state and locally owned and operated in major city police departments. There are currently 72 official fusion centers in the U.S. (Carter et al., 2012). The relationship between intelligence-led policing and fusion centers is reinforced by the Office of Homeland Security’s National Strategy for Homeland Security. The centers are credited for their ability to analyze information much quickly and predict threats to Americans. Fusion centers increase the production and sharing of crime and intelligence analysis product. Procedure and Policies
INTELLIGENCE FUSION CENTERS 3 In 2004 and 2005, when Fusion centers were created by states, there were no guidelines or standards in place for the development or processing of information sharing. Due to this, centers that were designed to share information were incapable of consistent and effective information sharing. While fusion centers are controlled by their respective state or local jurisdictions, they comply with federal standards and serve as a clearinghouse of information for the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Department of Justice with help from the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative’s and the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council collaborated with numerous law enforcement experts and practitioners from local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, as well as representatives of public safety and private sector entities across the country to develop the Fusion Center Guidelines: Developing and Sharing Information and Intelligence in a New Era (Homeland Security, DHS, 2021). Each fusion center has a formalized policies and procedure manual. This manual is the foundation for communications within the center and among personnel. “By developing, publishing, and adhering to a policies and procedures manual, the expectations for personnel are outlined, creating consistency and accountability while reducing liability and enhancing overall professionalism” (Fusion Center, OJP.org, 2023, p59). Fusion centers are also adhered to following exist guidelines, statues, policies, and procedures like 23 CFR Part 23 and the Critical Infrastructure Information Act. Fusion centers play a critical role in supporting uniform officers and investigators, by supporting the needs of law enforcement to submit and receive information in a more effectively and efficiently way to carry out their duties and responsibilities. Fusion centers are best equipped to meet tomorrow’s challenges when technology is advancing on prevention and investigation tactics. In an era in which criminals and terrorists are known to use technology, it is critical that
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