Law Enforcement Intelligence

David L. Carter, Ph.D. School of Criminal Justice Michigan State University

Law Enforcement Intelligence: A Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies
November 2004 David L. Carter, Ph.D. This project was supported by Cooperative Agreement #2003-CK-WX-0455 by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Points of view or opinions contained in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice or Michigan State University.

Preface
The world of law enforcement intelligence has changed dramatically since September 11, 2001. State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies have been tasked with a variety of new responsibilities; intelligence is just one. In addition, the intelligence discipline has evolved significantly in recent years. As these various trends have merged, increasing numbers of American law enforcement agencies have begun to explore, and sometimes embrace, the intelligence function. This guide is intended to help them in this process.

The guide is directed primarily toward state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies of all sizes that need to develop or reinvigorate their intelligence function. Rather than being a manual to teach a person how to be an intelligence analyst, it is directed toward that manager, supervisor, or officer who is assigned to create an intelligence function. It is intended to provide ideas, definitions, concepts, policies, and resources. It is a primera place to start on a new managerial journey.
Every effort was made to incorporate the state of the art in law enforcement intelligence: Intelligence-Led Policing, the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan, the FBI Intelligence Program, the array of new intelligence activities occurring in the Department of Homeland Security, community policing, and various other significant developments in the reengineered arena of intelligence.
A number of groups have provided important leadership in this field and afforded me opportunities to learn from their initiatives and experiences. These include the Global Intelligence Working Group (GIWG), Major City

Preface

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Chiefs' Intelligence Commanders, High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), Counterdrug Intelligence Executive Secretariat (CDX), the Counterterrorism Training Working Group, and the International Association of Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA). In particular, I also would like to thank the COPS Office, FBI, and Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Many people assisted me in this project. First and foremost are the members of my Advisory Board (listed in Appendix A). I appreciate your time, contributions, and expertise. You have added significant value to this work. I particularly thank Doug Bodrero, Eileen Garry, Carl Peed, Maureen Baginski, Tim Healy, Louis Quijas, and Bob Casey for their efforts.
My sincere appreciation also goes to Dr. Andra Katz-Bannister of the Wichita State University Regional Community Policing Institute (RCPI) who gave me constant feedback and support, Dr. Barry Zulauf at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who always manages to pull off the impossible, Merle Manzi, most recently of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), who did a yeoman's job of reviewing and editing the manuscript in the waning hours of the deadline, and my Michigan State doctoral assistant, Jason Ingram, who assisted in many of the details and research needed for this project. My thanks also go to my COPS Project Monitor Michael Seelman who provided support and facilitation to get the project completed. Finally, I thank my wife Karen, and children Hilary, Jeremy, and Lauren who put up with the time I worked on this and other projects – you are always in my thoughts.
David L. Carter, Ph.D. Michigan State University

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Law Enforcement Intelligence: A Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies

Executive Summary
New expectations and responsibilities are being placed on law enforcement agencies of all sizes to develop an intelligence capacity as part of a cohesive national strategy to protect the United States from terrorism and the deleterious effects of transjurisdictional organized crime. As part of this trend, particularly after the events of September 11, 2001, unprecedented initiatives have been undertaken to reengineer the law enforcement intelligence function.
Adhering to National Standards
This guide is intended to provide fundamental information about the contemporary law enforcement intelligence function in its application to state, local, and tribal law enforcement (SLTLE) agencies. The guide embodies the Intelligence-Led Policing philosophy, demonstrating how it complements community policing already in use by American law enforcement. It also embodies the principles, ideology, and standards of both the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan and the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative. It reflects current issues of law, particularly with regard to intelligence records systems (as per 28 CFR, Part 23) and liability issues.
Definitions and Perspective
At the outset, this guide defines and illustrates law enforcement intelligence with respect to its current application to SLTLE. Because of different jurisdictional responsibilities, federal law enforcement agencies use slightly different definitions. These differences are explained and illustrated to enhance information sharing and ensure clear communications between federal and nonfederal law enforcement. Because of global terrorism, the presence of SLTLE officers on Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF) and a more integrated role between the FBI and SLTLE, discussion is provided on the meaning and implications of national security intelligence as it relates to nonfederal law enforcement. To add perspective, the guide provides a brief history of law enforcement intelligence. Significant legal and policy implications have evolved through

This guide is intended to provide fundamental information about the contemporary law enforcement intelligence function in its application to state, local, and tribal law enforcement (SLTLE) agencies.

Executive Summary

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Moreover, critical issues are addressed ranging from ethics to responsibilities of line officers to the community's role in the intelligence function.

this comparatively short history, including perspectives from the 9/11 Commission. They are summarized at the end of Chapter 3 as lessons learned and framed as a checklist for policies and procedures that affect many aspects of the intelligence function.
To add perspective, the guide provides a brief history of law enforcement intelligence. There are significant legal and policy implications that have evolved through this comparatively short history, including perspectives from the 9/11 Commission. These are summarized at the end of Chapter 3 as "lessons learned." The "lessons" have been framed essentially as a checklist for policies and procedures that affect many aspects of the intelligence function.
Intelligence-Led Policing
The concept of Intelligence-Led Policing is explained from an operational perspective, illustrating its interrelationship with community policing and CompStat. Moreover, critical issues are addressed ranging from ethics to responsibilities of line officers to the community's role in the intelligence function. This discussion builds on the previous chapters to provide a perspective of intelligence that is "organic" to the law enforcement agency; that is, intelligence is part of the fabric of decision making that can have department-wide implications.
Intelligence Processes and Products
Based on the foundation that has been built, the guide explains current accepted practice of turning "information" into "intelligence." The intelligence cycle and analytic process are explained in summary form to provide the reader with an understanding of the processes. It is important for executives and managers to understand the language and protocols to effectively communicate with analysts and manage the intelligence function.
A discussion of information technology provides some insights into software requirements, networking issues, resources, security issues, and the dynamics associated with open-source information and intelligence.

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Law Enforcement Intelligence: A Guide for State, Local and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies

This is followed by a discussion of intelligence products, the different types of intelligence analysis, and how these products are used for both operations and management. Finally, dissemination or information sharingis discussed, particularly in light of the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan.
Management and Human Resources
Readers of this guide will be experienced in management issues; hence, these sections focus on facets of management unique to law enforcement intelligence. Defining the mission, policy issues, and methods for staying current on trends and practices are addressed, paying particular attention to intelligence file guidelines and ensuring accountability of the intelligence function. As illustrated in the brief history of law enforcement intelligence, these two issues have been paramount, particularly as related to civil lawsuits. The importance of 28 CFR, Part 23, Guidelines for Criminal Intelligence Records Systems, is stressed and model intelligence file guidelines prepared by the Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit (LEIU) are included in the appendices. Also included as an appendix is a comprehensive management audit checklist that touches on virtually all aspects of the intelligence function.
With respect to human resources, staffing is discussed, with particular emphasis on the need for professional intelligence analysts. In addition, intelligence training is examined and concludes with a summary of sources and contact information. These facets of management are consistent with the recommendations of the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan.
Networks and Systems
In today's digital world, the heart of effective information sharing is an understanding of the various communications networks available to law enforcement – some are evolving as this is written. The guide presents information about critical secure networks and how law enforcement officers can gain access to the networks. An important recommendation is that all law enforcement agencies should have access to a secure

Defining the mission, policy issues, and methods for staying current on trends and practices are addressed, paying particular attention to intelligence file guidelines and ensuring accountability of the intelligence function.

Executive Summary

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Another significant change in law enforcement intelligence has been "intelligence requirements" produced by the FBI Intelligence Program.

communications system that is based on Internet protocols (IP). Intelligence products and advisories from federal agencies- the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in particular – essentially rely on a secure IP system. The issues and processes are discussed in detail.
Intelligence Requirements and Threat Assessment
Another significant change in law enforcement intelligence has been "intelligence requirements" produced by the FBI Intelligence Program. Defining intelligence requirements adds dimensions of specificity and consistency to intelligence processes that previously had not existed. The guide describes the concept and processes in detail. Inherently related to defining intelligence requirements is understanding the threats posed in a jurisdiction. Indeed, the intelligence process is threat-driven with the intent of preventing a terrorist act or stopping a criminal enterprise and, therefore, the guide provides a threat assessment model.
Federal Law Enforcement Intelligence
The penultimate chapter describes federal law enforcement programs and products that SLTLE agencies should be aware of. Because of some confusion on the issue, the chapter begins with a discussion of classified information to clarify some confusion on the issue and provides information on how SLTLE officers can apply for security clearances. Based on the need for information security, the chapter also discusses declassified information for law enforcement, specifically related to the Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) designation, the FBI Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) designation, and the DHS For Official Use Only (FOUO) designation.
Building on the classification and information security issues, the guide discusses and illustrates the FBI Office of Intelligence products, FBI counterterrorism programs, and multi-agency initiatives–specifically the Terrorism Threat Integration Center (TTIC) and the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC). Equally prominent in the discussion are the intelligence products and advisories produced by the DHS. The FBI and DHS have established a productive working relationship on intelligence matters, embracing the need to be inclusive with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies for two-way information sharing.

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Law Enforcement Intelligence: A Guide for State, Local and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies