This CD provides comprehensive guidelines in the development and operation of an effective fusion center within a State or region, to improve intelligence sharing and increase the ability to detect, prevent, and solve crimes while safeguarding the homeland.
A summary of the Fusion Center Guidelines and key elements for Phase 1--Law Enforcement Intelligence include: (1) adhere to the tenets contained in the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan and perform all steps of the intelligence process; (2) collaboratively develop and embrace a mission statement, and identify goals for the center; (3) create a representative governance structure; (4) create a collaborative environment for the sharing of intelligence and information among local, State, tribal, and Federal law enforcement agencies; (5) utilize Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) or other types of agency agreements, as necessary; (6) leverage the databases and systems available via participating entities to maximize information sharing; (7) create an environment in which participants seamlessly communicate by leveraging existing systems and those currently under development and use the Global Justice Extensible Markup Language (XML) standard for future database and network development; (8) develop, publish, and adhere to a privacy and civil liberties policy; (9) ensure appropriate security measures are in place for the facility, data, and personnel; (10) integrate technology, systems, and people; (11) achieve a diversified representation of personnel based on the needs and functions of the center; (12) ensure personnel are properly trained; (13) provide a multi-tiered awareness and educational program to implement intelligence-led policing and the development and sharing of information; (14) offer a variety of intelligence services and products; (15) develop, publish, and adhere to a policies and procedures manual; (16) define expectations, measure performance, and determine effectiveness; and (17) establish and maintain the center based on funding availability and sustainability. Fusion centers bring all relevant parties together to maximize the ability to prevent and respond to terrorism and criminal acts. Appendixes A-E