Pace University DigitalCommons@Pace Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Dyson College of Arts & Sciences Projects 5-2019 Improving Information Sharing: Local Fusion Centers and Their Role in the Intelligence Cycle Alexis Spall Pace University, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/homelandsecurity Part of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, and the Defense and Security Studies Commons Recommended Citation Spall, Alexis, "Improving Information Sharing: Local Fusion Centers and Their Role in the Intelligence Cycle" (2019). Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects. 14. https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/homelandsecurity/14 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Dyson College of Arts & Sciences at DigitalCommons@Pace. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Pace. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 1 INFORMATION SHARING: LOCAL FUSION CENTERS IMPROVING INFORMATION SHARING: LOCAL FUSION CENTERS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE INTELLIGENCE CYCLE BY: ALEXIS SPALL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN MANAGEMENT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY DYSON COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES PACE UNIVERSITY May 2019 ___________________ (date) 2 INFORMATION SHARING: LOCAL FUSION CENTERS Abstract My Master’s Project focuses on local fusion centers and the need for improved information sharing practices among law enforcement partners. After the tragic event of September 11th in 2001, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice recognized a communication gap between law enforcement agencies and a lack of effective information sharing efforts. Fusion centers play a significant role in supporting both criminal and terrorist investigations due to their ability to act as a conduit between various law enforcement partners. Due to their important responsibilities as information sharing hubs that provide valuable analysis and dissemination of information and intelligence, it is essential to enhance information practices among the centers. My Master’s Project details a strategy that will assist in advancing information sharing capabilities among local fusion centers to better detect, investigate, mitigate, and avert threats. Specifically, this paper proposes a two-part strategy that entails strengthening current partnerships among fusion centers and law enforcement agencies and developing and implementing a standardized training program for intelligence analysts. Through improved collaborative efforts, fusion centers will be able to better identify, mitigate, and prevent threats to ensure public safety and the security of the country. 3 INFORMATION SHARING: LOCAL FUSION CENTERS Acknowledgments I would first like to thank my parents, Marcelle and Edward Spall, who have always supported my education and taught me that I can achieve anything with a little hard work. Their interest in my project, endless encouragement, and constant guidance has allowed me to strive to compose this paper. I would also like to thank my brother, Andrew Spall, for his continuous advice and support in all that I endeavor. I would like to thank my grandparents, Sally and Al Somma, who never forget to tell me how proud they are of me. I can’t imagine any better supporters. I would like to thank my aunt, Doreen Somma-Newsome, who has always offered her help and assistance in my career and education. I thank her for always pushing me to achieve my goals. I would like to express my very great appreciation and sincere gratitude to my Uncle John, retired NYPD Detective John Petrocelli, who is the reason why I chose this Master’s program to begin with. He is also the reason behind my career choice in crime analysis. Because of his advice, I had the opportunity to develop this Master’s Project on fusion centers. I thank him for all the times he checked my work and offered valuable insight. I wish to thank all of my professors at Pace for their helpful guidance, support, and valuable advice for my thesis. Their assistance in developing my project and reviewing my chapters over the course of the program is greatly appreciated. 4 INFORMATION SHARING: LOCAL FUSION CENTERS I would like to express my great appreciation to Professor Cassi Chandler for her assistance and insightful perspectives on intelligence gathering strategies. Her particular knowledge and experience in intelligence has been extremely valuable in composing my project. Finally, I wish to thank Dr. Ryan and Dr. Long for their valuable advice, constructive suggestions, and constant support in developing my thesis. I thank them for their dedication. I am extremely grateful. 5 INFORMATION SHARING: LOCAL FUSION CENTERS Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 1: Strategy ............................................................................................................. 8 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 8 Support for Strategy ........................................................................................................ 9 Strategy ......................................................................................................................... 13 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 16 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 2: Management .................................................................................................... 18 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 18 Management Theory ..................................................................................................... 18 Application of Theory to Strategy ................................................................................ 23 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 3: Strategic Planning and Budgeting ................................................................... 28 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 28 Strategic Planning ......................................................................................................... 28 Effective Communication ............................................................................................. 38 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 4: US Constitution and Ethical Issues ................................................................. 39 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 39 U.S. Constituion ............................................................................................................ 39 Legislation..................................................................................................................... 44 6 INFORMATION SHARING: LOCAL FUSION CENTERS Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 45 Chapter 5: Policy Analysis and Evaluation ...................................................................... 47 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 47 Policy Analysis Definition / Literature Review ............................................................ 48 Policy Evaluation .......................................................................................................... 51 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 55 Chapter 6: Comparative Governmental Approaches ........................................................ 56 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 56 Global Perspective on Terrorism .................................................................................. 57 International Counter-Terrorism Strategies .................................................................. 59 Human Rights Concerns ............................................................................................... 63 Proposed Counter-Terrorism Strategy .......................................................................... 64 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 67 Chapter 7: International Human Rights ...........................................................................