Joint Terrorism Task Force - Essay Example

Joint Terrorism Task Force December 09, Overview of Joint Terrorism Task Force Prior to 911 the majority of the FBI’stask forces were developed in response to the serious and compelling crime statistics of New York. These task forces expanded and grew through the close working relationship the FBI task forces developed with the New York City Police Department (Casey, 2004).Each FBI sponsored task force have two criteria that are necessary; there must be written guidelines and memorandums among those law enforcement agencies which are participating and they receive FBI funding to cover expenses such as overtime, vehicles, gas and cell phones for communication. Before 911 the United States had 35 formal joint terrorism task forces. Immediately following the attacks the FBI director instructed all field offices to establish these task forces. Task forces are staffed with a supervisory special agent and the staff generally consists of those with experience in domestic and international terrorism. These are combined with state and local law enforcements officials who are trained in a variety of skills and abilities which are useful in situations that threaten the security of an area, citizen, or the United States. Coordinators have experience in counterterrorism measures and are able to manage administrative tasks effectively. They manage budgets, acquisition of needed supplies or manpower, hey will also schedule surveillance coverage; these functions are assigned by the Supervisory Special Agent. Those special agents in charge within local field offices must harmonize and accommodate all law enforcement agencies that want to become involved in the counter terrorism efforts. Following 911 these agencies increased substantially and it is recognized that local agencies now play a critical part in maintaining homeland security (Casey, 2004). History of the Joint Terrorism Task Force It was in 1979 that New York first used the idea of combining federal and local law enforcement resources in response to the overwhelming crime rate and the high percentage of crimes considered federal crimes committed in New York during a period of organized crimes days of glory. Bank robberies were also an influencing factor in this decision, being federal crimes occurring locally. The JTTF began with only 11 members form the New York Police Department and 11 FBI investigators (Robert, 1999). The success of the JTTF concept is the combination of personnel with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and abilities, the public’s perceptions and the actual functions of the JTTF were changed drastically after the initial World Trade Center bombing which occurred in the parking lot actions within the World Trade in 1993. The JYYF was able to induce a level of calmness and some security within months of the incident and four individuals were investigated, detained, tried and found guilty, sentenced to periods of 240 years behind bars. JTTF’s primary focus is on terrorism and related issues. Investigation’s usually will center on known threats or individuals who meet certain guidelines which were established by according the Attorney Generals protocols for FBI operations to be initiated for investigations or the assessments of possible threats (Department Of Homeland Security,2012). JTFF’s rely heavily on each level of government to support their initiatives and actions. Fusion centers serve as central points in State and local areas and are committed to meeting the security needs of their areas. Economic Factors of JTTF Social Implications of the JTTF Legal Implications of the JTTF The Impact of the Lack of Attention or Focus on the Economic, Social, and Legal Implications of the JTTF References Casey, J. (2004). Managing joint terrorism task force resources. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 73(11), 1-6. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/204127823?accountid=3783 Robert, A. M. (1999). The joint terrorism task force: A concept that works. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 68(3), 23-27. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/204140378?accountid=3783 Department Of Homeland Security. (2012). Fusion Centers and Joint Terrorism Task Forces. Homeland Security. Retrieved December 10, 2012 from http://www.dhs.gov/fusion-centers-and-joint-terrorism-task-forces Read More