Rethinking intelligence to integrate counterterrorism into the local law enforcement mission

Abstract

Law enforcement agencies are constantly challenged by a changing threat environment, and they attempt to meet the challenges with the resources they have. In the past twenty years, terrorism is a dangerous threat to America while community expectations to address crime have also grown. Americans rely on local, state, and federal law enforcement to understand this threat and to incorporate counter terrorism efforts into their already full missions. In looking for the best ways to understand and combat the threat of terrorism, intelligence-led policing (ILP) has been offered as an effective strategy to improve police effectiveness. This thesis studies the ILP practices of two police departments--Metro Nashville and Chicago--and analyzes those elements of their strategies that contribute to successful ILP. This analysis validates the elements of the 3i model of effective ILP operations, and emphasizes several other elements as critical strategic elements necessary for an agency to develop and implement a successful ILP strategy. ILP is an effective policing strategy and the critical strategic elements identified in this thesis should serve as the foundation of efforts to build capacity in an agency. This thesis furthers these critical elements and presents a framework for agencies to implement ILP.