NCJ Number
228762
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 76 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2009 Pages: 132,134,136
Date Published
October 2009
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article provides suggestions for organizing and implementing intelligence-led policing (ILP) in State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
ILP collects and analyzes information needed to anticipate crime trends and proactively develop crime-prevention strategies while respecting citizens' privacy rights. In assessing the status of ILP in State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, a 2007 report from an intelligence-sharing summit hosted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police concluded that "agencies have made great strides in their ability to share intelligence however, the full benefits of intelligence sharing have yet to be realized because the process itself remains a mystery to many police officers, and some law enforcement executives consider their agencies too small or too remote to participate in criminal intelligence sharing." All State and local agencies should participate in the intelligence-sharing environment. This means having an intelligence unit that consists of at least one sworn officer with assigned part-time duties for receiving, compiling, and disseminating information and intelligence with a timeliness that is actionable. A properly trained intelligence officer schooled in the art of networking can strengthen an agency's information-sharing and intelligence capacity. Through tasking and coordination, commanders set the organization's strategic priorities for prevention, intelligence, and enforcement. In order to minimize the risks associated with privacy issues related to collecting, using, and disseminating potential crime-related data, policymakers must implement formal policies and directives that prioritize their investigations and personnel deployments. Felonious criminal activities and clearly defined pre-attack terrorist activities must be the focus. This article presents the ILP policies and strategies of the New Jersey State Police as a model. Its Intel Unit focuses exclusively on felonious activity and/or terrorist-related behavior, with constitutional parameters specified for collecting and sharing personally identifying information. 15 notes