Counterterrorism Intelligence: Law Enforcement Perspectives

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WASHINGTON—Today, The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) released “Counterterrorism Intelligence:  Law Enforcement Perspectives,” a research brief that examines how the intelligence unit commanders of America’s major metropolitan police departments view the terror threat and the nature of intelligence work to counter it.  

Survey research conducted by Frank J. Cilluffo, Joseph R. Clark, and Michael P. Downing highlighted that local law enforcement officials believe jihadi terrorism and radicalization continue to pose a real threat.  The authors report that there continue to be gaps in the types of intelligence products to which local police have access, that there is an unmet need for increased analytical capability at the local, state, and federal levels, and that intelligence commanders would rather invest in the skills of their personnel than technology.

The research found that for local law enforcement the primary source for counterterrorism information continues to be local citizens and traditional police work and that there is significant support for the nationwide suspicious activity reporting initiative (NSI).  Based on their data, Cilluffo, Clark, and Downing note that police intelligence unit commanders perceive counterterrorism to be a shared responsibility between local and federal officials and that among said commanders there is an untapped willingness for increased information sharing.

The authors argue that there exists the potential for a more robust national intelligence enterprise — one that could enhance the counterterrorism efforts of the United States at the local, state, regional, and federal levels.

The research presented in the brief is the first installment of HSPI’s new Counterterrorism Intelligence Research Survey (CTISR) program.  CTISR is the first attempt to systematically and routinely collect data from counterterrorism professionals at all levels of government.

Homegrown and foreign-directed jihadi terrorism and radicalization are perceived as a real threat by local law enforcement in the United States.

Nearly a decade after the attacks of September 11, 2001, there continue to be gaps in the types of intelligence products to which local law enforcement has access.

A majority of those polled cite the need for increased analytical capabilities at the local, state, and federal levels.

At the local level, citizens and traditional police work continue to be the primary source for counterterrorism information.

Intelligence collection is viewed as a shared responsibility between local and federal officials.

There is significant support for the nationwide suspicious activity reporting initiative (NSI).

Among federal partners, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces are viewed as the most important source of counterterrorism information. 

There is an untapped willingness for increased information sharing (even the sharing of confidential informants) among local law enforcement.

Local law enforcement values well trained and skilled individuals more than technology, and given the choice would invest more in people and less in gadgetry.