NCJ Number
59996
Date Published
1978
Length
182 pages
Annotation
HEARINGS BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL LAWS AND PROCEDURES, HELD IN 1978, ON THE EROSION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT INTELLIGENCE AND ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC SECURITY ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS IN RECENT YEARS HAVE PERMITTED, OR EVEN ENCOURAGED, A MASSIVE EROSION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY LEADING SOCIETY TOWARD THE STATUS OF A 'ZERO SECURITY' NATION. THE MAJORITY OF WITNESSES TESTIFYING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE CONCURRED ON THE PRINCIPAL FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EROSION: (1) THE EXISTENCE OF GENUINE ABUSES, LACK OF GUIDELINES, AND LACK OF ADEQUATE OVERSIGHT IN THE FIELD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT INTELLIGENCE; (2) THE WIDESPREAD ANTI-INTELLIGENCE HYSTERIA IN THE WAKE OF THE WATERGATE SCANDAL; (3) THE TENDENCY OF THE MEDIA TO SUPPORT ANTI-INTELLIGENCE ADVOCATES; (4) CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF PRIVACY LEGISLATION (THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT, ETC.); AND (5) EXCESSIVE INTERPRETATIONS OF THESE PROVISIONS. THE EXTENT AND CONSEQUENCES OF THIS EROSION ARE SUMMARIZED, ALONG WITH A DISCUSSION OF COURT RULINGS ADDRESSING THE LEGALITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT INTELLIGENCE. THE CRIPPLING OF ABILITIES TO DEAL WITH TERRORISM AND CIVIL DISTURBANCES, THE WEAKENING OF THE WAR AGAINST DRUGS, THE IMPACT ON CORPORATE AND PUBLIC SECURITY, AND THE DISMANTLING OF THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE SECURITY PROGRAM ARE THE MAIN CONSEQUENCES OF THE DEEMPHASIS IN INTELLIGENCE GATHERING. RECOMMENDATIONS BY WITNESSES TO REEVALUATE THIS CURRENT TREND ARE WOVEN THROUGHOUT THE REPORT. DATA ON THE PRIVACY AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACTS AND A REPORT BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL ARE APPENDED. WITNESSES REPRESENTED LOCAL POLICE AGENCIES, FEDERAL DEPARTMENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES. (WJR)