Police Fusion in the United States

Police Fusion

The concept of police fusion is attributed to constant terrorism attacks from extreme terror groups (Waxman, 2009). In this context, equipping the police system in the United States with information, strategies and equipments remain important to the country. The importance of sharing information between departments of homeland security and justice is critical to averting the terror crisis in the United States.  Initially, the establishment of police fusion centers was based at the federal level. However, the nature of modern terrorism requires police fusion centers be transferred to both state and local levels. In recent years, the functions of the fusion centers have shifted from homeland security to law enforcement and public safety (Freilich, Chermak & Simone Jr, 2009). Nonetheless, the challenge of identifying international terrorists in the United States still remains a challenge for the police in federal, state and local levels.

First, the police fusion centers should be located in strategic urban centers where critical information regarding terrorism is received, analyzed, gathered and shared among federal, state and local authorities (Larence, 2008). In addition, the inclusion of private security companies in sharing of intelligence is recommended. The essence of locating the fusion centers in urban centers is to address unique security threats. For example, the police fusion centers empower local police units in enforcing the law, protecting the public and offering emergency response services. In addition, the fusion centers located in urban areas offer public health services and expertise in protecting the infrastructures. The location of fusion centers in urban areas is critical for interdisciplinary expertise and situational awareness. Consequently, this ensures that decision-making at all governmental is effective.

Secondly, the police fusion centers should be operated by representatives from the national, state and local authorities (Larence, 2008). Importantly, operations of the state and local entities require personnel, resources and financial support from the federal departments. In this context, it is easier to overcome challenges posed by lack of proper training, equipment, technology, funding and support from federal systems.

Thirdly, the fusion centers can address the terrorism challenge by reforming the current threat environment (Larence, 2008). In this context, the American policing requires the fusion centers to assume institutionalized levels of capability. From this perspective, the inclusion of Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in running operations is critical to the success of police fusion centers (Larence, 2008). As indicated earlier, institutionalizing the levels of capability is integral to improving efficiency and effectiveness of information sharing initiatives across the fusion centers. Therefore, an environment that assesses potential terror threats through partnership among federal, state, local and private partners is necessary.

Involving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in major decision-making processes especially on allocation of resources across fusion centers is critical (Larence, 2008). The DHS role in offering tactical support through personnel and intelligence through the Homeland Secure Data Network (HSDN) is critical to the success of fusion centers. Importantly, DHS offers personnel training to over 60 fusion centers across the United States. In addition, the DHS makes it possible to link personnel working for fusion centers with the Department of Justice. From this perspective, the fusion centers operate under the jurisdiction of the American constitution. For example, the personnel are trained by DHS on issues related to risk analysis, civil rights and liberties (Larence, 2008). Apparently, lack of proper training on civil rights, individual privacy and liberties has challenged the homeland security for a long time.

The lack of proper reporting system is a challenge to how police manage security threats in the United States (Larence, 2008). Apparently, there is no guidance on how to report suspicious terrorism activities across national, state and local security agencies. Engaging the Department of Justice (DOJ) in developing procedures for successful reporting of terrorism cases emboldens the legality of the fusion centers (Larence, 2008). In this context, the DOJ allows law enforcement agencies to use information from the fusion centers as a point of reference when subjecting terrorism cases in the federal courts. The DOJ is instrumental in development of nationwide programs that encourages various security departments at all governmental levels to facilitate identification and reporting of security issues. From this perspective, all reports are gathered and analyzed at the fusion centers across the country.

In conclusion, the fusion centers address the challenge of gathering intelligence from reliable sources by encouraging public participation in security matters (Larence, 2008). In this context, the public input is represented through a partnership of the government agencies and the private sector. Moreover, the public is empowered on matters of security through community policing programs. Therefore, public members can identify and report suspicious activities at the fusion centers. In this context, the security outreach initiative ensures that public responsibility in fighting terrorism is not ignored. Importantly, developing police fusion centers at all governmental levels must be guided by the national security mission and values. In this context, the fusion centers must be guided by the national security strategy to prevent domestic terrorism. Moreover, the mission and values of the fusion centers must be guided by the national strategy for counterterrorism. From this perspective, police fusion centers across the country are leveraged in terms of capabilities and resources to form a stable security system.

 

 

 

 

 

References

Freilich, J. D., Chermak, S. M., & Simone Jr, J. (2009). Surveying American state police agencies about terrorism threats, terrorism sources, and terrorism definitions. Terrorism and Political Violence, 21(3), 450-475.

Larence, E. R. (2008). Homeland Security: Federal Efforts are Helping to Alleviate Some Challenges Encountered by State and Local Information Fusion Centers. Collingdale, PA: DIANE Publishing.

Waxman, M. C. (2009). Police and national security: American local law enforcement and counterterrorism after 9/11. J. Nat’l Sec. L. & Pol’y, 3, 377.