NCJ Number
210164
Journal
Trends in Organized Crime Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: Spring 2005 Pages: 51-62
Date Published
2005
Length
12 pages
Annotation
After a review of the history of law enforcement intelligence in the United States from the 1920s to post-September 11th, this article draws lessons for what should and should not be done in intelligence operations.
Abstract
The review encompasses law enforcement intelligence at the Federal, State, local, and tribal levels. One lesson drawn from the history of intelligence practices in the United States is that the building of intelligence dossiers on individuals that contain raw, diverse information unrelated to unlawful activities has a negative impact on the constitutional right of freedom of speech and assembly without law enforcement intervention. Targeting individuals for intelligence operations without lawful justification can result in civil rights suits and vicarious liability lawsuits against law enforcement agencies. Another lesson is that to be effective, intelligence units must be proactive, developing unique products and disseminating the products to appropriate personnel consistently and comprehensively. Also, a clear distinction must be made between law enforcement intelligence and national security intelligence. Further, a full-time law enforcement intelligence function should be organized professionally and staffed with personnel who are trained in analysis and intelligence product preparation. Other lessons are that there must be clear lines of communication between the intelligence unit and policymakers and decisionmakers; law enforcement intelligence units must be evaluated regularly to ensure their effectiveness and compliance with policy and law; and intelligence work and interagency intelligence sharing has assumed critical importance since September 11th, when the United States was attacked from within by a clandestine cadre of terrorists acting as part of an international network of terrorists with an ongoing commitment to harm the United States and its citizens throughout the world through secret cells that plan and execute terrorist acts. 9 notes and 16 references