Political Terrorism: The Present Problem and the U.S. Law Enforcement Approach (From International Terrorism: Policy Implications, P 73-83, 1991, Susan Flood, ed. -- See NCJ-132889)

• NCJ Number: 132895
• Author(s): W Dyson
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: University of Illinois at Chicago
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has primary jurisdiction over the investigation of politically inspired terrorism occurring within the United States.

Abstract

Political terrorism falls into two broad categories. The first category includes violent attacks designed to make a political statement and gain publicity. The second category involves illegal actions intended to gain whatever is necessary to allow a group to continue functioning. Although the FBI has the lead responsibility for interdicting terrorist groups, it draws on the expertise of other Federal agencies to deal effectively with a particular terrorist group. The counterterrorist task force first began to appear in the early 1980's in response to the growing threat posed by domestic terrorist groups. The first task force involved New York City police and the FBI's New York Division. The initial task force's success led to similar investigative entities in Chicago, Boston, the District of Columbia, Los Angeles, and New Jersey. The task force approach has become an accepted vehicle for combating political terrorism. The success of law enforcement agencies and the resulting decline in the number of terrorist incidents in the United States, however, does not mean that political terrorism no longer poses a threat. During the past 3 years, for example, the FBI has documented several environment-related terrorist attacks. Foreign terrorist activities in the United States and narcoterrorism will continue to pose major threats into the 1990's.