Assignment 2: Library and Internet ResearchFusion Centers as a Law Enforcement Tool
Since the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, there has been a real push in local law enforcement agenciesespecially large onesto incorporate intelligence-led policing techniques.
A part of that strategy has been the creation of fusion centers in all fifty states intended to facilitate the sharing of police intelligence information between federal, state, and local agencies. Consider the Lambert (2010) article, “Intelligence-Led Policing in a Fusion Center” and the “US Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report on Fusion Centers” in the Community Policing.
The creation of fusion centers and their operations have not been without controversy. Many civil libertarians have expressed concern that instead of focusing only on real threats, fusion centers encourage the government’s suspicion toward law-abiding citizens and groups that are suspected of potential hostility toward government.
Tasks:
Write a 4- to 6-page paper. In the paper:
Take a definitive stand and provide justificationsfor, or against, the use of fusion centers as a local law enforcement tool.
Examinehow these centers may be abused to violate citizen rights.
Compare and contrastthe cooperation that occurs through fusion centers and that through other kinds of multiagency activities, such as task forces and joint investigations.
Identify and evaluatethe possible steps or policies to minimize concerns that some have raised about potential abuses.
Feel free to do additional research on the topic of fusion centers, beyond the reading that has been assigned to further improve your paper.
