Maritime Law Enforcement A Critical Capability for the Navy

Abstract

This thesis asks the questions Are our maritime organizations organized and employed properly to ensure our nations maritime security Should maritime law enforcement be considered a critical capability for the Navy Maritime security is not only a priority mission in the national and naval strategy, but for the international maritime community as well. It is established that law enforcement presents the best means to achieve maritime security. By accepting the maritime law enforcement role, the Navy may help close maritime security gaps not only in the homeland but also on the maritime global commons. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of the Navys lack of law enforcement powers on maritime security operations and maritime security as a whole. The thesis identifies gaps, shortfalls, and deficiencies in both the Navys maritime security operations, and maritime security as a whole, due to the restrictions on law enforcement roles. It also analyzes the concerns associated with increased law enforcement and maritime security roles for the Navy by covering the operational, fiscal, and warfighting readiness costs associated with greater maritime security roles. Together this will help to determine whether the Navy should consider law enforcement as a critical capability and resource it as such.