NCJ Number
58479
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 48 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 6-10
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS CONFRONTED WITH MANY SOCIAL ISSUES WHICH WILL SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT ITS FUTURE AS A VIABLE INSTITUTION; TO THIS END THE INTELLIGENCE PROCESS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE.
Abstract
THE VITALITY AND DURABILITY OF THE POLICE AS A LEGITIMATE INSTITUTION WILL DEPEND ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE. THE POLICE CAN NO LONGER PERMIT PAROCHIALISM TO AFFECT THEIR PERSPECTIVE. WHEN THERE ARE CONTRADICTIONS AND CONFLICTS IN OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE, THE POLICE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO EXPOSE AND RESOLVE THE CONFLICT WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF OUR NOTIONS OF JUSTICE. TOWARD THIS END THE INTELLIGENCE PROCESS CAN BE USED AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL. A SOPHISTICATED INTELLIGENCE COMPONENT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE SOUND, RATIONAL, AND LOGICAL DECISIONS REGARDING POLICIES AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION. INTELLIGENCE SHOULD SUPPLY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH THE DATA IN WHICH TO MAKE RATIONAL DECISIONS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT REAL THREATS TO THE COMMUNITY. THE LACK OF AN ANALYTICAL COMPONENT HAS SERIOUSLY RETARDED THE ABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT EFFICIENT CRIME CONTROL STRATEGIES. INSTITUTIONALIZING THE ANALYTICAL CONCEPT INTO A LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION REQUIRES CAREFUL PLANNING AND THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE MANAGERIAL STAFF. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATOR MUST BE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL STIMULI. HE MUST PROJECT AN ATTITUDE WHICH SUBSCRIBES TO BALANCED AND SOUND RESEARCH. THE ANALYST MUST ENSURE THAT ANY ASSESSMENT OR STUDY UNDERTAKEN HAS WITHSTOOD THE RIGORS OF CRITICAL INTERNAL EVALUATION. THE ANALYST MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT THE INTELLIGENCE PRODUCT HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF ITS FINDINGS. ALL ANALYTICAL INQUIRY SHOULD BE FOCUSED TOWARD PUBLIC POLICY IMPLICATIONS. INTELLIGENCE IS A PROCESS WHICH SHOULD SERVE AS A TOOL FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATORS. IT IS DESIGNED TO GUIDE AND SHAPE ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL POLICY AND STRATEGY THROUGH A CONTINUOUS QUESTIONING AND EVALUATING OF RAW DATA. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (STB)