When Terrorism Hits Home: How Prepared Are State and Local Enforcement?

• NCJ Number: 208394
• Author(s): Lois M. Davis; K. Jack Riley; Greg Ridgeway; Jennifer Pace; Sarah K. Cotton; Paul S. Steinberg; Kelly Damphousse; Brent L. Smith
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 180 pages
• Grant Number(s): MIPT106-113-2000-064
• Sponsoring Agency: Oklahoma City National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT); US Dept of Homeland Security
• Corporate Author: RAND
• Sale Source: RAND
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded January 12, 2005.

Annotation

This report presents the results of a 2002 nationwide survey of State and local law enforcement agencies on their current state of preparedness for a terrorist attack.

Abstract

In 1995, RAND conducted a survey on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice to assess domestic preparedness for terrorism. In 2002, a follow-up survey was conducted for the same purpose. Five key issues are addressed in this report: (1) the response experience of law enforcement and their perceptions of the threat; (2) the steps law enforcement have taken toward domestic preparedness; (3) law enforcement’s support needs; (4) how law enforcement is resourcing preparedness activities: and (5) the relationship between perception of risk, funding, and preparedness. Prior to September 11, 2001, few local law enforcement agencies had experience responding to or investigating terrorist incidents. State agencies, on the other hand, enjoyed greater and more varied experiences handling terrorist-related incidents. Half of local law enforcement agencies perceived the threat of a terrorist attack in their jurisdiction as being very low, while State law enforcement and local law enforcement within large counties assessed their threat level as being relatively high. State and local law enforcement have undertaken a number of steps to increase their preparedness, including increasing the number of personnel responsible for emergency response planning and reallocating departmental resources for terrorism preparedness. A great deal of variation was uncovered regarding law enforcement approaches to preparedness, some of which can be explained by variation in size of jurisdiction. Law enforcement’s support needs include improved risk assessment capabilities and strengthened response capabilities in terms of training, equipment, and other types of supports. Finally, it was found that law enforcement agencies that perceived higher risk of future terrorist attack were more likely to update their response plans, participate in trainings, and receive external funding for domestic preparedness planning. Tables, figures, appendixes, references