CONTROLLING POLITICAL TERRORISM IN A FREE SOCIETY (FROM CONTEMPORARY TERRORISM - SELECTED READINGS, 1978, BY JOHN D ELLIOTT AND LESLIE K GIBSON - SEE NCJ-48724)

• NCJ Number: 48733
• Author(s): J B WOLF
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM ORBIS, V 19, N 4 (WINTER 1976)

Annotation

SPECIFIC LAWS FOR DETERRING TERRORISM ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NEWS MEDIA AND POLICE TASK FORCES ARE CONSIDERED, ALONG WITH A PROPOSAL FOR A PLANNING GROUP TO MEET THE TERRORIST THREAT.

Abstract

BELIEVING THAT BOTH THE COURT AND CORRECTIONAL COMPONENTS OF THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM LACK A WELL-DEVELOPED AND COORDINATED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE TERRORIST WHO OPERATES WITHIN OUR FREE SOCIETY, IT IS PROPOSED THAT MANAGERS OF THESE COMPONENTS EXAMINE THE BRITISH APPROACH TO TERRORISM. THE BRITISH HAVE STRENGTHENED SOCIAL SANCTIONS AGAINST TERRORISM AND ACT ON THE SUPPOSITION THAT COUNTERTERRORIST OPERATIONS SHOULD BE A PART OF NORMAL POLICE WORK. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A UNIFORM PENAL CODE BE ESTABLISHED. THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF A DISCRETIONARY DEATH PENALTY IN INSTANCES OF HOSTAGE DEATHS. TERRORIST TRIALS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE ARREST. A UNIFORM PENAL CODE AND PROMPT COURT ACTION WOULD ASSURE A MAXIMUM OF DETERRENT EFFECT BY MEANS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, A FEDERAL LAW MAKING IT ILLEGAL TO PAY RANSOM IS PROPOSED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT MEETING TERRORIST DEMANDS INCREASES THE BOLDNESS AND FREQUENCY OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY. BELIEVING THAT THE POLITICAL TERRORIST DEPENDS ON SUPPORTIVE PUBLICITY TO HELP CONVINCE THE PUBLIC OF THE SIGNIFICANCE AND VALIDITY OF THE TERRORIST'S DEMANDS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, WITHOUT TAMPERING WITH THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, CONDUCT INFORMATIONAL AND DISCUSSION MEETINGS WITH MEDIA MANAGEMENT TO ENCOURAGE POLICIES OF REPORTING THAT ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF CURTAILING AND CONTROLLING THE EFFECTS OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY. CAREFULLY CALCULATED, PREPLANNED POLICE RESPONSE TO VARIOUS TERRORIST STRATEGIES IS ADVISED, AND POLICE TASK FORCES THAT WILL CONCENTRATE SPECIALLY TRAINED MANPOWER ON A SINGLE CASE ARE RECOMMENDED. LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A COUNTERTERRORIST ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSE GROUP AT A HIGH LEVEL OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSED TO PROVIDE AN IMMEDIATE INFORMATION RESOURCE FOR DEALING WITH TERRORISM. A COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION SYSTEM WOULD BE ESSENTIAL TO ITS OPERATION. MORE EFFECTIVE LIAISON BETWEEN FEDERAL AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN MEETING THE THREAT OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY IN PARTICULAR AREAS IS URGED. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)