Power of Public-Private Partnerships P3 Networks in Policing

• NCJ Number: 214643
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 73 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2006 Pages: 75-79
• Author(s): Matthew J. Simeone Jr.
• Date Published: May 2006
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Technical Assistance; Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article explains how to establish Internet-based public-private partnerships (P3) that allow public agencies to work with the private security industry and community organizations to enhance the protection of the community's infrastructure against a terrorist attack.

Abstract

The fuel for a partnership is regular communication. E-mail allows for quick communication with and among thousands of individuals. The development of an e-mail communication network should first connect the public law enforcement agencies that serve the target jurisdiction. E-mail addresses for this network should include those of individuals at the operations desks of each network agency. Other public agencies to be added to the e-mail network include fire services, health services, highway management, emergency management, public transportation, and executive government. The next step is to develop an information-sharing partnership with the private sector. This involves acquiring the e-mail addresses of security directors responsible for protecting key assets and critical infrastructure, followed by the inclusion of community-based organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, Neighborhood Watch groups, and civic associations. An e-mail group should be created for every sector of the community's infrastructure, with individuals placed into as many e-mail categories as is appropriate. Security for the database should be a major concern. The e-mail network should be part of an intelligence center. This facilitates rapid dissemination of fresh information regarding threats and responses. Some categories of information that might be shared on the network are listed in this article. Periodic face-to-face meetings of network participants can strengthen personal relationships and facilitate communication through the e-mail network, and there may come a time when the network is large enough to justify the development of an Internet forum to enhance the e-mail network.