Planning and Threat Assessment - Essay Example

PLANNING AND THREAT ASSESSMENT Introduction Threat assessment or protective intelligence is the process of gathering and assessing information aboutpersons who may have the interest, motive, intention, and capability of mounting attacks against public officials and figures. How do attackers select their targets? What are their motives? How do they plan their attacks? How do these persons assess the security barriers that face them? What communications, if any, do they make before their attacks? To what extent do symptoms of mental illness affect their actions? Answers to these questions can provide important information for accurate threat assessment and intelligence gathering. (Fein & Vossekuil, 2000) We have been charged with the responsibility to protect our Principal from external and other threats as per following background. To ensure safety of our subject, we shall develop an all-inclusive security program. As we know, key factors essential for effective security plan are threat assessment, intelligence report analysis and consequent methodical security planning. Considering the sensitive nature of the case of our Principal and his unique demeanor in public, we shall require substantial effort to cover every loophole that can be exploited by our adversary. The plan shall encompass assessment of all areas of security as well as other threats that can affect our Principal. Background Our principal is a white supremacist man in his forties, confined to a wheelchair and requires round the clock nursing attendant owing to his medical conditions. He suffers from respiratory disorder, is immobile without his wheelchair and has various other serious and non-serious ailments. Due to his outspoken and controversial demeanor, many people hate him. Our first task involves providing security for his visit to the court in Los Angeles, an hour’s drive from his Laguna Beach residence. He is a defendant in serious charges involving murder and civil rights violation and is out on a bail without any police protection. The recent homicides of white supremacist’s followers and brutal attack on his chief assistant make him even more vulnerable, all the more so because many victims have been directly linked to him. Rumours of a rival white supremacist group seeking political advantage are also ripe. Further, as per unconfirmed intelligence reports, religious fundamental groups, white supremacist groups and civil rights groups are likely to attend the court trial with likelihood of trouble for our Principal. Further, his wish to make a grand entrance and meeting the press makes him too vulnerable in these violent times. Threat Assessment The initial assessment states that besides his medical status, following parties may also cause him serious harm or attempt to damage his reputation: a. Civil rights organization - to avenge charges of alleged civil rights violations and murder by him. b. Individuals – to avenge alleged murder/offences committed by him. c. Religious fundamentalists – to gain publicity for their cause. d. Political opponents – to gain political upper hand. e. Own supporters – to gain political advantage. f. Other freak parties – to avenge any previous alleged crime committed by him and unknown to intelligence organizations. The plan provides for threat cover and security to our Principal at his residence and during his visit to court and back against all the threats mentioned above. Visible elements like uniformed and civilian clothed guards should form the cordon around the Principal when his movement is on wheelchair or in crowded areas. Metal detectors and physical check-up of people likely to come into close proximity with the Principal should also be undertaken to prevent anyone carrying arms with intention of harm. The other threats likely to be faced and covered by our plan are mentioned below: Residence The security threat at his residence is of the following kinds: Medical Since medical emergencies are likely at home too, security cleared medical attendant is required round the clock and a close liaison with medical specialists from a nearby hospital should be worked out. Domestic Help Domestic help available at the residence should be fully trustworthy and security cleared. Sea During his frequent visits to the beach, he needs to be constantly protected by guards against any untoward incident. Court Visit Security Intelligence reports obtained from the police indicates that the threat is likely during various phases of the court visit: a. During travel from Laguna Beach to court. b. During his stay at the court. c. During his likely meeting with the press after the court session. d. During return movement from court to Laguna Beach. Medical. Medical emergencies can be expected during the travel due to his severe medical conditions. These are compounded further due to his inability to move on his accord. Protection Plan for Court Visit Security Threat. a. Travel to court. During his travel to the court, there is a potential for attack from his adversaries as mentioned above. Thus, the Principal is to travel in a convoy of three vehicles with his seating to be decided at last moment. An ambulance with necessary medical and emergency equipment is to join as the fourth vehicle. 02 armed guards are to be present in all the three vehicles. If possible, he is to be carried in a bullet-proof car. Three routes to the court are to be pre-decided out of which one is to be chosen at the last moment. Efforts have to focus on more proactive prevention techniques by developing ways to identify and neutralize people who pose a threat to the Principal. b. Security at Court Premises. Essentially, this would involve cordoning off the area to the extent possible, prevent carriage of arms to the court premises, identify and prevent individuals with known past criminal record from entering the area, take assistance from police in achieving these activities to the extent possible and ensure his safety at the court premises with or without use of force. While police should be given overall responsibility for the court premises, personal security of our Principal shall be exclusively handled by us, except in courtroom. c. Meeting with Press. Owing to his wheelchair bound personality, handling press is a critical issue. The press members should be thoroughly briefed of the security threats to the Principal. During this phase, the press members have to be clearly identifiable and segregated to interact with our Principal. Provocations should be avoided at all costs. Any attempt by the adversaries to cause undue harm to the Principal should be dealt with firmly. The Principal should also be advised of the measures taken by us for his security and requested to cooperate by not breaking the security cordon. If possible, an organized press conference should be arranged at appropriate location within court premises. d. Return Movement. During return movement, the route should again be decided at the last moment and convoy should return together keeping all the risk factors in mind. Medical a. A competent medical attendant, duly cleared by security agencies for his clean and reliable background record with all necessary emergency equipment shall follow the convoy at the end in the ambulance. b. A specialist doctor shall remain on emergency call during the entire court visit. Protection Plan for Laguna Beach Residence Security arrangements at Laguna Beach residence would involve the following: a. A well laid-out security cordon to block any miscreant from entering the residence. b. Regular patrolling of all vulnerable points along the residence. c. Deployment of security dogs. d. Scanning all incoming visitors including all employees at home. e. Armed guards on a rotating duty round the clock. f. Direct telephonic link and alarming system with local police station and fire station for dealing with unforeseen emergencies. g. Medical assistance for emergencies to be planned from a close by hospital. Conclusion It can be safely said that this threat assessment is essentially based on perceptions and environmental pattern rather than actual threats. Nevertheless, this does not in any way reduce the threat scenario. Approaching the case with a questioning, analytical and skeptical mindset would go a long way in actual handling of threat situations. Cooperation from the Principal would be the most important aspect deciding success or failure of our mission. Further, availability of accurate information from intelligence sources should be sought regarding ground situation during important events or gatherings at residence. It can be stated with confidence that the task of providing threat protection to Principal during his visit to court and at his residence can be achieved safely and without any untoward incident. References 1. Robert A. Fein and Bryan Vossekuil, 2000. Protective Intelligence and Threat Assessment Investigations: Protective Intelligence and Threat Assessment Investigations: A Guide for State and Local Law Enforcement Officials 2. Robert A. Fein, Ph.D., Bryan Vossekuil, William S. Pollack, Randy Borum, William Modzeleski, Marisa Reddy, 2002. Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates. Read More