NCJ Number
228672
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 36 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 58,60,61
Date Published
July 2009
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article assesses the current status of information sharing among Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
Best-practice models and intelligence mandates require analytically driven policing and greater information sharing among Federal, State, and local authorities in order to combat crime and terrorism. The current state of affairs falls short of the models and mandates. Coordination of intelligence between Federal, State, and local agencies still varies in consistency and effectiveness from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Federal authorities rarely, and only manually, tap State tips-and-leads management systems in the investigation of suspicious activities and trends. Fusion centers, which are the intrastate and interstate mechanisms for exchanging information and intelligence in order to prevent attacks, are just beginning to realize the value of integrating multiple data sources, including local intelligence systems. There are bright spots, however, in the information-sharing arena. The FBI has begun to place Field Intelligence Group personnel at State and local fusion centers, in order to make the State-Federal connection more seamless. The Department of Homeland Security has also begun to place analytical personnel at State and local fusion centers. The Regional Information Sharing System Network (RISSNET) continues to act as a facilitator in the sharing of intelligence, and it helps coordinate efforts to combat criminal networks that operate across jurisdictions. In addition, Law Enforcement Online and Homeland Security Information Network, two national interactive communications systems and information services, are being more routinely used by State and local law enforcement. Further, the National Data Exchange System has gone live. This system will provide national access to local law enforcement records management systems. Information sharing needs to be facilitated by automation and a rules-based model, limiting the need for human intervention.