Homeland Security Agencies Issues - Essay Example

? Homeland Security Agency 1. of the Agency Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) of the US a. Jurisdiction The agency, i.e. DIA was established in the year 1961 which was later merged with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Being a member of United States Intelligence Community, it operates under the Federal jurisdiction of the nation (Defense Intelligence Agency, 2013). b. Size Established in 1961, DIA is liable to provide assistance to operations and planning in the military sectors of the US along with their seizure of weapons serving as an information agent to the Department of Defense and the US Intelligence Community. Currently, it employs more than 16,500 members from military and civil sectors accumulatively. Moreover, its network can also be observed to spread worldwide rendering greater access to valuable information concerning the homeland security issues (Defense Intelligence Agency, 2013). c. Mission The principle mission of DIA is to provide safety and security to the population of the US from unsocial and criminal activities with the assistance of policymakers, war-fighters and defense planners. However, it also intends to assist other nations in securing their homelands (Defense Intelligence Agency, 2013). 2. Role in Homeland Defense a. What does the agency itself say about its own role in homeland defense? The role of DIA can be identified to be principally focused on the collection of valuable and highly reliable information through human and technical resources comprising documentary affairs and managing media from all around the world. It also attempts to evaluate the impacts caused by foreign military affairs to the US civilian policymakers and commanders in the military sectors of the nation. According to the agency reports, it has been quite successful in revealing noteworthy issues concerning terrorist assaults over the past years playing a major role in countering probable security concerns within the nation and thereby securing homeland defense (Office of the Director of National Intelligence, n.d). b. What do other sources say? Other sources also reveal that the DIA has been quite effective in combating with the homeland security issues playing the role of a vital information source which has apparently increased the access of US military intelligence within the global platform. As revealed by Schmitt (2012), DIA has been expanding its reach in the global dimension to avail more in-depth information concerning the terrorism activities which is now intended to be encompassing spy operations especially designed for Afghanistan and Iraq . Hence, it can be affirmed that over the past years, DIA has been actively performing its activities to satisfy its mission as an intelligence agency. 3. Summarize and Discuss Since its establishment, the DIA has been actively reporting multiple instances of planned terrorism attacks making the military force of the nation more cautious to combat such disasters. For instance, as the DIA had reported, around 61 detainees who had been released from the prison of Guantanamo Bay had joined terrorism groups by the year 2009. This particular information was further confirmed with a report, recent to the release of the terrorism activities which revealed that few of those detainees had already shipped to the border area of Afghanistan and Pakistan by 2004. This information proved to be quite effective for the US military force to take precautionary measures in dealing with the issue (Lucas, 2010). 4. Core Values a. List of Core Values of DIA The core values of DIA are identified as teamwork, integrity, excellence and service (Defense Intelligence Agency, 2013). b. Discuss how the core values of each of the three agencies compare with the SLU core values DIA maintains its core values through cooperation among members at every level of its operations fostering development of the community in all spheres, with especial concern to its defense or security system. Its strategies has been thus focused towards accomplishing its sole objective to protect the security of the nation, with due consideration towards preserving its ethical and legal principles. In the similar context, the core values of SLU have been principally focused towards providing quality education to the students facilitating adequate development of their skills and knowledge under the supervision of the professors. This particular strategy performed by SLU might be observed as quite dissimilar to the applied core values of DIA owing to the large variance in their operational areas. However, from an in-depth understanding, the core values regarded by DIA and SLU can be observed as similar as both the associations believe in preserving ethical responsibilities and ensuring individual liberties. Furthermore, both the associations attempt to render respect towards the community and teamwork with better integrity preserved within the workforce to accomplish the determined objectives (Defense Intelligence Agency, 2013). c. How do the Core Values affect the balancing of the agencies’ missions to safeguard our nation with America’s traditional and constitutional respect for individual liberties? The core values of DIA can be observed to actively assist in maintaining its objectives to protect the national interests of America by deciphering respect towards individual liberties and playing a major in safeguarding the community from unsocial activities which could cause detrimental effects which can apparently hamper the stability of the socio-economic environment of the US. The values regarded by these two organizations therefore aims to ensure independence and security of nation from terrorist attacks. It also renders strategic significance towards reducing criminal activities to a considerable extent. Focusing on effective teamwork and integrity, as its core values, the services provided by DIA in the federal level, the agency aims at decreasing unsocial activities and promoting life quality with the socio-economic environment of the US. Additionally, by preserving higher degree of cooperation and teamwork, DIA aims at keeping the nation free from fraudulent practices which further shall secure individual liberty within the nation (Defense Intelligence Agency, 2013). Agency 2 1. Name of the Agency New Jersey State Police a. Jurisdiction The New Jersey State Police is an agency of police with powers mentioned in the jurisdiction of the state level and is chosen by Troop Sectors (AfroCubaWeb, 1997). Thus, this particular agency requires operating under the state level jurisdiction of the US with no direct influences from the Federal defense jurisdictions. b. Size The sworn and non-sworn members of New Jersey State Police accumulatively form a wide ranging network comprising of around 2768 and 1751 employees respectively according to reports presented by Bureau of Justice Bulletin. There are various sub-divisions of New Jersey State Police scattered all around the state which facilitates it with greater accessibility to defense related information and thereby augments its competencies to overcome such issues (U.S. Department of Justice, 2007). c. Mission The mission statement of New Jersey State Police can be identified as its commitment towards protecting, preserving and safeguarding the rights of liberty as well as security possessed by all the US citizens. The agency further aims at satisfying its mission by practicing law with due regards to impartiality, equality and integrity preserving both courteous attitudes and professionalism throughout its operations. As stated by the agency in its mission statement, “…We shall ensure public safety and provide quality service in partnership with our communities" (State of New Jersey, 2013). 2. Role in Homeland Defense a. What does the agency itself say about its own role in Homeland Defense? The New Jersey State Police is responsible for the distribution and acquisition of additional properties in terms of donations to the agencies from the governmental sectors. In its reports, the agency has also stated to provide due assistance in configuring non-profit tax exempt activities concerning education and health sectors to individuals below poverty line. The police department has also stated to play a role in generating greater awareness amid the community about their right to security and their responsibilities to ensure community security throughout the state. This particular aspect has resulted in greater accessibility to crime related information for the police department at a state level making its role more significant and effective in combating criminal offences (State of New Jersey, 2013). b. What do the other resources say? When evaluating the role played by the New Jersey State Police, external sources reveal that although certain improvements in the overall activities of the organization has been witnessed, the agency still lacks in practicing effective managerial steps to combat defense related issues by making efficient use of the information obtained. However, the agency has been significantly praised for its commitment towards the set norms and principles. It is worth mentioning in this regard that in majority instances, the agency had been failing to preserve efficient leadership practices which have further diminished its quality of services in the real life scenario (Baxter, 2012). 3. Summarize and Discuss In performing its operations the New Jersey State Police has to witness and deal with several issues related to defense systems among which arresting terrorists and offenders of felony are regarded to be the most crucial responsibilities of the department. In this context, the New Jersey State Police has often been praised because of its active role playing capability. For instance, in the year 2010, the New Jersey State Police was successful in arresting two residents of the state who were alleged to be employed in terrorist assaults planned by al-Shabab and al-Qaida jointly. Hence, by arresting these two alleged terrorists, the agency was able to combat a most probable terrorist attack on the nation rendering due assistance to the homeland defense agencies working at the Federal level (Shipkowski & Apuzzo, 2010). 4. Core Values a. List of Core Values The core values of the New Jersey State Police can be identified as honor, duty and fidelity through which the department perceives its responsibilities towards the state (State of New Jersey, 2013). b. Discuss how the core values of each of the three agencies compare with the SLU core values The core values of SLU are respect, excellence, personal development, community and integrity. With the above mentioned core values both the departments, New Jersey Police Department and SLU can be observed as aimed at providing integrity and unity within the community being focused on their respective dimensions of responsibilities and preventing the community from unsocial activities. Emphasizing on their core values, both the agencies can further be observed as focused towards incorporating effective communication systems throughout the organizational dimensions maintaining teamwork and higher degree of cooperation (State of New Jersey, 2013). c. How do the Core Values affect the balancing of the agencies’ missions to safeguard our nation with America’s traditional and constitutional respect for individual liberties? The New Jersey State Police focuses significantly on the aspects of integrity and teamwork throughout its service deliverance process. This further enhances the effectiveness of the agency in providing higher degree of security to the nation and thus preserving the individual liberty of the community as regarded in the traditional and constitutions beliefs of America. The agency is further observed to be responsible in maintaining its objective of protecting the state population from criminal assaults by the highest extent and therefore making the state free from fraudulent practices. This is further quite likely to ensure better performance of the agency in combating the security issues and preserving individual rights to liberty (Kane, 2012). Agency 3 1. Name of the Agency Tampa Police Department a. Jurisdiction Operating in the local level of the US jurisdiction, the Tampa Police Department is entitled to operate under the legislations of Florida state government possessing no direct influence from the Federal military agencies (Holder, 2012). b. Size The department comprises of more than 1000 sworn members in its law department along with 350 members approximately in civilian and support staffs positions. The network of Tampa Police Department operates at various locations scattered within the city area of Tampa in Florida, US covering an area of around 441.9 km2 (Holder, 2012). c. Mission The mission of the department reveals the sole emphasis of the organization on the reduction of criminal activities and deliverance of a better quality of life to the people in the area of Tampa. Correspondingly, the objective of the department is to decrease the criminal activities within the city area to the highest possible extent. In its mission statement, the agency also aims at rendering due significance to teamwork in alliance with the community facilitating greater engagement of people in the activities conducted by the police department. As signified in its mission statement the Tampa Police Department is also responsible for minimizing criminal offences through the effective implementation of innovative techniques (Holder, 2012). 2. Role in Homeland Defense a. The Agency Itself Say About Its Own Role In Homeland Defense The role played by the Tampa Police Department for providing securities to the citizens of the city area can be identified through its activities in various sectors with the assistance of advanced software systems. Owing to such developments it is possible for the department to identify security threats at the earliest and likewise prepare plans for managing anti-social activities with the available resources of the city area. The reports published by the Tampa Police Department also reveal that agency has been participating in the Police Athletic Leagues and occupational programs in health sectors to facilitate awareness among the community about their civil and legal rights. The department has also been observed to survey its operations on a timely basis to provide adequate security to the community and also to evaluate the necessary adjustments required in accomplishing its mission. The department also provides training facilities to its workforce so as to preserve efficiency in every dimension of its operational process. Contextually, in its operational context, patrol services, criminal investigations, special operations, administration deserves special mention (Holder, 2012). b. Other Sources According to the external sources, despite of certain leadership concerns and managerial weaknesses, the Tampa Police Department has been focused on rendering adequate security to the community people of Tampa. However, during its course of action, the department has often been criticized to have taken missteps which has further leaded to casualties rather than helping the community. It is worth mentioning in this context that in order to eradicate such limitations and to make its role more apparent within the society, the department has been emphasized towards incessant betterment with the incorporation of effective leadership strategies and innovativeness throughout the operations (Peltier, 2012; Blodget, 2011). 3. Summarize and Discuss As was reported by Ya'ar (2012), an individual from Kosovo was planning to attack the nightclubs and corporate offices of Tampa with AK-47 rifles and bombs to take revenge based upon his belief that injustice was rendered to the Muslims of the community. The individual was later arrested by FBI agents who also accepted that he was planning to attack various areas of Tampa to terrify people. In the entire process of arresting the offender, the FBI agents gladly accepted the significance of Tampa Police Department in rendering due assistance to the federal level agency (Ya’ar, 2012). This particular role played by the Tampa Police Department further reveals its effectiveness in ensuring homeland security. 4. Core Values a. List of Core Values The core values of Tampa Police Department are Safety, Integrity and Services among others, which provide security to the city population (Holder, 2012). b. Discuss how the core values of each of the three agencies compare with the SLU core values In this context it can be stated that the Tampa Police Department has the mission to provide safety to the areas of Tampa by reducing criminal activities and fostering security in the areas by preserving teamwork and integrity within its entire operational process. Similarly, the mission of the university has been observed to foster and develop students through quality education and motivating them to preserve respect for one another. Similar to the Tampa Police Department, SLU is also aimed at perpetuating teamwork for the effectiveness of the university and obtaining knowledge to enrich skills of its workforce at every level (Holder, 2012; Saint Leo University, n.d.). c. How do the Core Values affect the balancing of the agencies’ missions to safeguard our nation with America’s traditional and constitutional respect for individual liberties? The core values of the department are fundamentally aimed at providing security assurance to the community of Tampa from criminal activities which can be accomplished with the significant reduction of crime within the society. The department has been thus observed to be highly responsible in enforcing its operational strategies by involving the common public from the city area maintaining a cooperative relationship with the community holding frequent public meetings and educational seminars to make the people aware of the fraudulent activities and fight against them with greater confidence (Holder, 2012). Hence, it can be observed that in this way the department tends to safeguard the national interest of individual liberty. References Baxter, C. (2012). NJ State Police still plagued by missteps despite improvements. Retrieved from http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/12/nj_state_police_still_plagued.html Blodget, H. (2011). Tampa Police Roll Out A TANK To Deal With A Few Dozen Protesters. Retrieved from http://www.infowars.com/tampa-police-roll-out-a-tank-to-deal-with-a-few-dozen-protesters/ Defense Intelligence Agency. (2013). Our mission. Retrieved from http://www.dia.mil/ Holder, B. (2012). Tampa police department (TPD). Retrieved from http://www.tampagov.net/dept_mayor/files/Status_Report/police.pdf Kane, A. (2012). New Jersey police were complicit in NYPD spying on Muslim communities. Retrieved from http://mondoweiss.net/2012/07/new-jersey-police-were-complicit-in-nypd-spying-on-muslim-communities.html Lucas, F. (2010). EXCLUSIVE: Intel Report Confirmed 18 Freed Gitmo Detainees Returned to Terror--Including in Afghanistan--Before Obama Ordered Closing of Prison. Retrieved from http://cnsnews.com/node/72090 Peltier, M. (2012). Counternarcotics, Terrorism & Intelligence Republican National Convention—Tightening Up In Tampa. Retrieved from http://www.hstoday.us/focused-topics/counternarcotics-terrorism-intelligence/single-article-page/republican-national-convention-tightening-up-in-tampa/f2aea92a092e26b176a2a603869705df.html Saint Leo University. (n.d.). Core values. Retrieved from http://www.saintleo.edu/about/florida-catholic-university.aspx Schmitt, E. (2012). Defense Department Plans New Intelligence Gathering Service. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/world/asia/defense-department-plans-new-spy-service.html?ref=defenseintelligenceagency&_r=0 Shipkowski, B. & Apuzzo, M. (2010). New Jersey Terrorism Arrests: Two NJ Men Arrested At JFK Airport On Terrorism Charges. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/06/new-jersey-terrorism-arre_n_602060.html State of New Jersey. (2013). Mission statement. Retrieved from http://www.njsp.org/about/mission.html Ya’ar, C. (2012). FBI Arrests would-be terrorist in Tampa, FL. Retrieved from http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/151571#.UQuscB1_61Y Read More