NCJ Number
210681
Date Published
September 2005
Length
57 pages
Annotation
This document explains how law enforcement agencies can enhance their intelligence operations for homeland security and traditional enforcement and crime prevention.
Abstract
A section on "Intelligence Issues" defines intelligence, noting that intelligence is not what is collected but what is produced after collected data are evaluated and analyzed; distinguishes between "tactical" intelligence and "strategic" intelligence; and discusses why intelligence is critical in decisionmaking, planning, strategic targeting, and crime prevention. This is followed by an overview of intelligence history that encompasses the intelligence process, intelligence collection, processing/collation, analysis, dissemination, and re-evaluation. A section on the current status of intelligence-led policing advises that several current strategies and philosophies in law enforcement have a direct bearing on intelligence-led policing. A description of intelligence-led policing notes that its implementation in the United States has benefited from the recent development of "fusion centers," which serve multiagency policing needs. Fusion centers provide information to patrol officers, detectives, management, and other participating personnel and agencies on specific criminals, criminal groups, and criminal activities. The role of problem-oriented policing and police-community partnerships in intelligence-led policing are addressed, followed by an outline of the various levels of intelligence. The concluding section of this document advises that critical areas in developing intelligence-led policing are the blending of intelligence and problem-oriented policing, building stronger police-community partnerships, integrating strategic intelligence and police planning, instituting information-sharing policies, and building analytical support for police agencies. Basic steps are outlined for developing a criminal intelligence capability, and legal/privacy concerns are also addressed. Eight "success stories" of intelligence-led policing in the United States are presented. 63 notes, a 46-item bibliography, and appended lists of technology resources, sources of intelligence products, intelligence training and resources, and criminal intelligence model policy