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No Nation is Home Alone: Understanding the International Dimension of Homeland Security Through Global Transportation Security Programs
From the thesis abstract: "Terrorist actors focus on the global transportation system to introduce threats and target attacks. As the lead department for securing the transportation system into the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works both domestically and internationally to implement programs and foreign assistance activities to secure the global transportation network. This thesis examines DHS' international role by analyzing programs and policies implemented by its three largest global transportation agencies: the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Due to the breadth of DHS programs and activities, their stated goals and objectives, and their legal mandates, this thesis determines that a U.S. foreign assistance framework provides minimal insight into DHS' international footprint. Instead, this research developed a simple model for understanding the primary components of DHS' international mission space and identified operations, policy, outreach and engagement, and training and technical assistance as core concepts in DHS' international mission. Using this model, DHS can pursue the additional recommendations developed in this thesis-applying systems theory as a basis for an international transportation security strategy as well as pursuing direct funding for its international transportation programs and activities as a fully integrated department-within the traditional U.S. foreign policy and national security institutions."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Tarpey, Dominique
2016-03
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Crowds As Complex Adaptive Systems: Strategic Implications for Law Enforcement
From the thesis abstract: "Law enforcement attempts to control unruly crowds have come under increased scrutiny in light of recent unrest in Ferguson, Missouri; Baltimore, Maryland; and other locales across the United States. Resultant criticism is forcing law enforcement agencies nationwide to review their civil-unrest policies. Crowd behavior resulting from police actions is an important component of crowd control. Viewing crowds from a systems perspective, as done in this thesis, provides powerful new insights to help law enforcement assess potential crowd behaviors. Through this new awareness, this thesis makes recommendations regarding policies, training, and equipment that law enforcement can use to make better-informed decisions related to crowd control."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Leverone, Robert H.
2016-03
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Assessing the Cannabis Legalization Debate: Lessons Learned from the Colorado and Washington Experiment
From the thesis abstract: "Cannabis is illegal as far as federal law is concerned; yet recent trends in the United States indicate it is moving toward more widespread legalization. While both sides of the legalization debate pose valid arguments, it has been difficult to assess aspects of these arguments in the past. Now that Colorado and Washington have fully legalized cannabis, what does data demonstrate to support or rebut these arguments and what problems have sporadic legalization led to in the drug control space? This thesis examines regulatory, financial, and criminal data in Colorado and Washington to identify advantages and disadvantages of legalizing cannabis. Findings indicate commercialization of legal cannabis creates a sizeable economic stimulus due to demand satisfaction and displacement of drug trafficking organizations for supply. Crime levels increased as compared to national averages while drug arrest rates remained stable, which could be influenced by other factors. Overall, as a result of disparate national policy, Colorado and Washington have become source states for cannabis distribution as findings indicate spillage of legal cannabis into black markets nationally. This thesis recommends rescheduling cannabis in the Controlled Substances Act to further research the drug while increasing state civil asset forfeiture options in prohibitionist states to facilitate criminal enforcement."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Neener, Michael C.
2016-03
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Ethics on the Fly: Toward a Drone-Specific Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis examines the issue of law enforcement's use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) from an ethical perspective. As UAS have only recently been introduced into the National Airspace System (NAS), legislation regarding their use in America's skies is lacking. This dearth of statutory guidelines creates a circumstance wherein self-imposed limits on UAS use by law enforcement take on greater importance. The primary research question posed by this thesis is whether a prevailing ethical framework exists to govern the use of UAS by domestic law enforcement functions. It concluded no consensus exists. Using the case study method, this thesis considered documentary evidence of ethical frameworks for UAS currently in use by law enforcement. A comparative policy analysis is then performed to identify overlapping areas of concern, in order to arrive at a template that recommends seven dimensions that law enforcement executives should consider in creating a drone-specific code of conduct for policing. A case is made for publicly declaring an agency's code of conduct in the interest of strengthening the relationship between police and the public vis-à-vis the social contract."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Smith, Brian T.
2016-03
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Establishing the Intelligence Required by the Fire Department City of New York for Tactical and Strategic Decision Making
From the thesis abstract: "Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, numerous reports came to the same conclusion: there was an urgent need to enhance information sharing throughout the homeland security community (HSC). The report of the National Commission of the Terrorist Attacks upon the United States set forth numerous failures of information sharing that occurred throughout the HSC involving events leading up to 9/11, the attacks, and the response. The necessity of information to enable the fire service (FS) to make proper decisions is clear. Groups working on how to best provide the FS with intelligence believe that in order to assist the Intelligence Community (IC) in providing the intelligence, a specific list should be developed. This has become the goal of this thesis. In analyzing what intelligence is required by the FS, it has become apparent that there are a vast number of variables. Taking into account these variables and the dynamic environment has revealed that compiling a list of specific requirements is not practical. In lieu of a specific list, a better option would be to make available to the IC an understanding of the operations of the FS. By providing an explanation of the information that the FS utilizes to respond to emergencies, an understanding, as opposed to a stagnant list, of the intelligence needs of the FS could be established. To accomplish this, a guide for the IC could be established-a guide similar to those available to the FS explaining the IC. This guide could explain the intelligence needs of the FS at a level that is understandable and pertinent to those tasked with fulfilling them. A draft guide is included in the appendix of this thesis."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kiesling, James W.
2016-03
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Fluid Leadership: Inviting Diverse Inputs to Address Complex Problems
From the thesis abstract: "History is replete with examples of misapplied leadership strategies. When singular methods are used to solve multifaceted problems, negative results are often the consequence. Complex issues in a complex environment require complex perspectives; the homeland security enterprise (HSE) needs leaders who can adapt their leadership styles according to emerging environments. Furthermore, the diverse agencies within the HSE must work together more frequently and dependably to make coordinated decisions that impact their broad community. This thesis proposes integrating multiple leadership models to generate innovative, diverse solutions that will strengthen the HSE. By examining dozens of models, the research developed a conceptual synthetic leadership model. It is recommended that this proposed model be implemented within HSE components and studied organizationally."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Moir, Sylvia
2016-03
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Leveraging State and Local Law Enforcement Maritime Homeland Security Practices
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis explores the practices of six state or local law enforcement agencies in the field of maritime homeland security. Using the Delphi Survey Method on a sample of the highest-risk, most strategically located, and most commercially important ports in the United States, this thesis looks at the successes and challenges of grant funding, training practices, recovery efforts, and state government role in maritime homeland security. The resounding and underlying theme of the best practices cited by these port areas is centered on collaborative efforts across federal, state, local, and tribal agencies. Respondent agencies noted that the most successful practices in their respective ports were the result of coordination across information sharing, exercises and drills, task forces, and centers (fusion centers, operations centers, coordination centers, and training centers)."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Nichols, Kirk L.
2016-03
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Sports-related Riots: Understanding Group Behavior to Improve Police Strategy
From the thesis abstract: "When a celebration following a college sporting event turns into a riot, the consequences may be devastating to a school, a community, and the police department. This trend is increasing on campuses across the country, and the perceived randomness of violence has police departments and communities alarmed. Based on several assumptions, current police training and policy focuses on crowd movement and riot suppression, which minimizes the ability to influence a crowd to the point of preventing a riot. One assumption is that large crowds share group similarities. Police also use inaccurate behavioral markers to identify the changing mood of a crowd and base their response on these markers. This thesis identifies the differences among disturbances and focuses specifically on riots that occur following college sporting events in the United States, using supporting data from case studies of college sporting events between 1997 and 2015. Using the normative and social identity theories as models, this thesis shows that sports riots follow a specific pattern of social behaviors and shows how early intervention may influence the behavior of the crowd. Finally, it concludes with recommendations for police when managing the crowd before, during, and following a college sporting event."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Mammana, Gregory N.
2016-03
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Strategic Planning for the Fire Service
From the thesis abstract: "Fire Service leaders at large need a non-confrontational process to collaborate on a long-range strategic plan to shape the Fire Service over the next 20 to 30 years. Fire Service 2.0 conceptually calls for expanding interoperability between fire agencies over a large geographic region to increase service while decreasing costs. Futures methodology scenario planning would allow Fire Service leaders to think through plausible what if scenarios before they occur. Three plausible future scenarios for the Fire Service have been created for this thesis using futures methodology. The drivers for these scenarios were drawn from FEMA's [Federal Emergency Management Agency] Strategic Foresight Initiative, which identified drivers that are expected to impact emergency managers' operations in the future. Conclusions range from the death of the Fire Service as we know it, to its transformation into a relevant business sector leader that embraces emerging mission requirements. The goal is to begin strategic conversations today that will shape the Fire Service of tomorrow."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Holder, Glen M.
2016-03
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Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Emergency Management: A Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners
From the thesis abstract: "Responding to disasters is a critical function for first responders and the emergency management community. The primary mission when responding to disasters is saving lives, which often requires the use of multiple resources. Rotary and fixed-winged aircraft have traditionally performed disaster response missions, such as overhead damage assessments, reconnaissance, and missing person searches. However, with the advancement of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), there is an opportunity to perform many conventional aerial missions in a safer, more expeditious, and cost-effective manner. This thesis explores the introduction of UASs for disaster response missions into the national airspace system of the United States. It includes a review of traditional disaster response missions and opportunities for the utilization of UASs; a comparison of UAS programs, both military and civilian, as well as international UAS programs; and a review of barriers to implementation. It also offers policy and program considerations for agencies and jurisdictions to consider when implementing a UAS program, and it recommends future research concerning the topic of autonomous UASs. Lastly, this thesis provides a decision guide to assist policy makers and practitioners with determining the need and feasibility of a UAS program."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Price, Darren E.
2016-03
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Becoming More Than a Digital Bullhorn: Two-Way Engagement on Twitter for Law Enforcement
From the thesis abstract: "Police agencies are increasingly turning to social media to communicate with the public; some departments only push information out one way, while others engage in a two-way, back-and-forth conversation. Research is robust on topics such as two-way engagement, the benefits of a large following, and the positive impact government can have by using social media during and after crises, but there is a marked lack of police-specific quantifiable data. The purpose of this thesis is to determine if two-way engagement on Twitter leads to an increase in followers. A case study analysis of three Silicon Valley, California, police departments' Twitter engagement habits showed that agencies using a two-way communication model receive more new followers overall than agencies using a one-way model. The analysis did not, however, conclusively find a direct relationship on a monthly or daily basis between the amount of two-way engagement and the number of followers. Ultimately, the research reveals a number of tactics that police agencies can employ to increase two-way engagement, and recommends strategic implementation devices."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Perron, Zachary P.
2016-03
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Do You Know What's In Your Community? A Strategic Risk Management Approach to Better Prepare for Chemical Emergencies
From the thesis abstract: "Communities throughout the United States are susceptible to hazardous materials releases, with varying impact. Unfortunately, some of those incidents have caused catastrophic casualties, irreversible environmental damage, revenue loss, and nonconventional impacts such as community and industry social implications-many of which could have been prevented. This thesis creates a framework to help communities better prepare for chemical emergencies. The research examined two case studies, revealing three major disconnects and several challenges that emergency management professionals face to pursue a delicate balance of natural resources, population growth, limited resources, security, and the need for commercial goods-made possible by the necessary use and manufacturing of chemicals. This framework enables communities throughout the United States to better prepare for chemical disasters. It offers first responders, emergency management professionals, the private sector, and community members a collaborative path toward making their communities more resilient to chemical disasters in order to diminish preventable hazards and lessen inevitable impacts."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Furnish, Wun Kiu Vicky
2016-03
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Upping the Emergency Management Ante: The Role of Private Sector Collaboration in Emergency Management and Whether State Procurement and Emergency Management Laws Are Built to Collaborate
From the thesis abstract: "The benefits of public-private collaborations for enhanced emergency management purposes are widely acknowledged, but the questions of when and how such collaborations would be most beneficial have been the subject of much debate. Arguably, it is at the preparedness stage that the private sector's resources, innovative technologies and business continuity expertise can best be used to create more robust risk reduction and preparedness plans. Collaborations at this stage also provide for the identification and proper competitive procurement of all reasonably foreseeable emergency-related goods and services, rather than overuse of the emergency 'no-bid' exception to competitive procurement, which can result in contractor fraud and government abuse. But, do the appropriate legal mechanisms exist to support increased collaborations? Given that the discussion surrounding such collaborations is still current, the assumption was that legal reform would be necessary. Using the Best Practice Research methodology, a review of the states' procurement and emergency management laws actually reveals that they generally contain the necessary language to support increased public-private collaborations. But, some are more explicitly supportive of such collaborations than others. Accordingly, this thesis offers a statutory policy framework for agencies to consider to make greater use of private resources for better emergency management practices."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Manzella, Monica J.
2016-03
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Spatiotemporal Modeling of Community Risk
From the thesis abstract: "Every day throughout the country, fire departments respond to a variety of emergencies in their communities. Steadily over the last decade, departments have mitigated these threats in an atmosphere of decreasing budgets, declining fire volume, and a burgeoning call volume. Thus, fire service leaders require data and analysis to justify the dollars spent to mitigate the risks within communities. Community risk is dynamic in that it fluctuates over geography and time; spatiotemporal modeling is one proven method for illustrating such dynamic modulations. This thesis produces a spatiotemporal model of fire department call volume to depict fluctuations in community risk in the Fresno (CA) Fire Department's area of operations. This study led to several findings. First, using historical records for spatiotemporal modeling of community risk could help leaders visualize the dynamic nature of risk. Second, visualizing community risk with spatiotemporal modeling could provide the basis for resource deployment models attuned to specific risks. Finally, investigating additional data sets in conjunction with such methodology could uncover the causal factors of risk dynamics from which leaders design proactive preventative measures."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Tuggle, Todd T.
2016-03
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Not Out of Control: Analysis of the Federal Disaster Spending Trend
From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of this study of 20-year trends in federal disaster spending was to determine whether and to what extent spending has been on the rise, and to examine contributing factors. A grounded theory analysis was conducted on 1,156 major declared disasters from fiscal years 1995 through 2014. Numerical data graphically illustrate budgeting, spending, and declaration trends, and policy and inertia influences are described. This study found an upward trend of federal disaster spending, yet one that is far from out of control. Research shows that 66% of major disaster funding was provided by emergency supplemental bills versus regularly budgeted appropriations. Half of all spending was on infrastructure, and hurricanes were the number one disaster type for federal spending. More severe storms were declared than all other disaster types combined, and the number of major disasters declared demonstrated an upward trend. The trend of rising spending and quantity of declarations was consistent with existing literature. Federal spending for fire, human services, post-disaster mitigation, and mission assignments demonstrated a downward trend as a proportion of the Disaster Relief Fund. Recommendations are provided to transform national thinking toward development of a national risk management approach to incentivize policymakers, homeowners, and local- and state-level funding recipients to better manage risk and improve stewardship of federal tax dollars."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Boccia, Suzanne
2016-03
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Ethical Imperative of Reason: How Anti-Intellectualism, Denialism, and Apathy Threaten National Security
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis explores the roots and manifestations of anti-intellectualism, denialism and apathy. Philosophical in its design, this research explores the following question: What are the potential effects of cultural anti-intellectualism on the construction and execution of national security and homeland security policy? Specifically, it focuses on how anti-intellectualism can affect how a course of action is created, presented, messaged, supported, and executed. The thesis amasses a review of previous research on the nature and manifestations of this issue and offers an account of the prospective implications for the securities field. Utilizing a case study model, this research explores three examples to highlight the manifestation of this current problem. The findings indicate that anti-intellectualism impacts the highest levels of the political, media, and security processes and, as such, requires practitioners to acknowledge and address its influence. This thesis concludes by arguing that widespread ignorance of objective reality poses a threat to the democratic process. It provides three overarching strategies designed to limit the impact of anti-intellectualism in the policy process and demonstrates that, in the intricate and dynamic matters of our nation's security, there is an ethical imperative for 'reason' and factual discussion to rule the policy process."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Favre, Greggory J.
2016-03
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Suicide in the Fire Service: Saving the Lives of Firefighters
From the thesis abstract: "The goal of this thesis was to determine whether post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and firefighter suicide are on the rise in the U.S. fire service and how fire chiefs can implement programs to curb PTSD-related firefighter suicide. The research was limited, however, by imprecise statistics on PTSD and suicide in the fire service, caused in part by the firefighter culture. To work toward a proactive solution, this research examined current, effective mental health programs that can be utilized in-house by fire departments, including Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Psychological First Aid, and Stress First Aid. Research on professional mental health focused on therapies used by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including psychotherapy, medication, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Through a critical review of available programs, this thesis identifies best practices for collecting accurate firefighter suicide data, and suggests development of a tiered approach to decrease PTSD and firefighter suicide. A limitation of the research was the inability to verify results of a firefighter being 'cured' of PTSD."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Heitman, Steven C.
2016-03
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Winning the War at Home: Stability Operations Strategy for Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "While much progress has been made in American homeland security, there remains a lack of strategic consensus for state and local agencies. Communities are increasingly outspoken in their expectations of unified homeland security efforts. Remarkably, the U.S. military has a long history of using stability operations strategy to execute similar missions in foreign and domestic settings. Stability operations strategy is a non-traditional U.S. military approach emphasizing community collaboration to restore order. Despite similar objectives, stability operations strategy and its use of civil affairs forces do not appear to have been studied as a possible model to unify state and local homeland security activities. This research uses a case study and policy options analysis to explore the questions: Is the U.S. military's stability operations strategy a useful consideration for domestic homeland security applications? If so, how could military stability operations strategy be implemented in homeland security efforts? The research recommends adopting the strategy and organizing state and local homeland security initiatives into six stabilization sectors: civil security, civil control, essential services, support to governance, support to economic and infrastructure development, and information management. Stability operations strategy offers state and local decision makers a comprehensive, community-focused model for homeland security initiatives."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Shaughnessy, Joshua
2016-03
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Sovereign Citizen Movement: The Shifting Ideological Winds
From the Thesis Abstract: "The FBI has identified the Sovereign Citizen Movement (SCM) as a significant threat to the domestic security of the United States. The movement's adherents are capable of significant acts of violence and creating civil unrest. They also embrace harassing tactics such as filing lawsuits, false liens, and restraining orders as a method to harass government and financial institutions. This is known as paper terrorism. The modern SCM has its roots in the Posse Comitatus movement and in racialist philosophies such as the Christian Identity Movement. It was primarily a movement embraced by right-wing Caucasians. Over time, the SCM has morphed from a primarily racialist platform to a more inclusive anti-government platform. The current SCM model is decentralized and largely leaderless, and its narrative is often driven by circumstances. Using social identity theory as a framework, what conclusions can be drawn regarding this change, and how can the government prepare for the emerging ideation of SCM? If not handled appropriately, government reactions to economic and social crisis could validate the SCM narrative. Government entities must embrace training, transparency, and ethical decision making in an effort to nullify the SCM narrative."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Bell, Devon M.
2016-03
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Shadows of Stuxnet: Recommendations for U.S. Policy on Critical Infrastructure Cyber Defense Derived from the Stuxnet Attack
From the Thesis Abstract: "In June 2012, the worldwide cyber security landscape changed when the presence of a new and sophisticated malware, later dubbed 'Stuxnet,' was discovered in the computers of an Iranian nuclear facility. The malware was a cyber weapon, programmed to destroy the industrial machinery utilized for uranium enrichment. Stuxnet was soon dissected and diagnosed as a pioneering and politically motivated cyber attack that successfully infiltrated a high-security, government-run critical infrastructure and destroyed its physical property with computer code. The potential consequences of a similar attack on vulnerable U.S. critical infrastructures could be devastating. This thesis begins with a review of the evolution of U.S. policy related to the cyber defense of critical infrastructures. It then examines the critical infrastructure sectors within the United States, its dependency on computer technology, and the potential consequences of cyber attacks. A detailed case study of the Stuxnet attack follows, along with an analysis of the lessons learned from Stuxnet. The thesis concludes with specific policy improvement recommendations for the United States under three major themes: enhancing national unity of effort, expansion of cyber security coordination between the private and government sectors, and incentivizing private-sector compliance with best practices in cyber security."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Lendvay, Ronald L.
2016-03
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Improving Access to Military Aircraft During Civilian Wildfires
From the thesis abstract: "Wildfires are a growing problem in the United States, and military aircraft are increasingly mobilized in support of civilian wildfire suppression efforts. The photogenic qualities of aircraft distributing a trail of red slurry over a wildfire increase the public's expectation of fire suppression from the air. The problem is that Department of Defense (DOD) aircraft are not dispatched to civilian wildfires in a timely manner, resulting in lives lost, property destroyed, and critical infrastructure damaged. The research question considered by this thesis is, 'What improvements can be implemented to existing local, state, and federal protocols to provide a more timely response to civilian wildfires by DOD aircraft?' The current system is complicated and confusing, involving federal laws, such as the Economy and Stafford acts; DOD doctrine and instruction, such as Defense Support to (of) Civil Authorities and Immediate Response Authority; and civilian agencies, such as the National Interagency Fire Center with its 'Military Use Handbook' in the existing process to dispatch military aircraft to civilian wildfires. The results of the study recommend that (1) DOD aircraft be more closely coordinated with civilian aircraft via the IRA [Immediate Response Authority] for responding to civilian wildfires, and that (2) the Economy and Stafford acts be modified to improve the efficiency with which military aircraft respond to civilian wildfires."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Dubay, Steve E.
2015-12
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Intelligence-Driven Border Security: A Promethean View of U.S. Border Patrol Intelligence Operations
From the thesis abstract: "Transnational criminal networks will continue to evolve. The United States Border Patrol's (USBP) intelligence-driven planning, resourcing, and operations need to be responsive to the constant evolution in adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures. To successfully standardize and institutionalize intelligence processes, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted on the current USBP intelligence architecture and intelligence processes. The research compared and contrasted the current Border Patrol intelligence mission with best practices, lessons learned, shared missions, and constraints within the Intelligence Community. The research focused on the synthesis of an intelligence-driven, law enforcement culture, one that will increase situational awareness and understanding of the homeland security ecosystem through efficient planning, collections, exploitation, processing, analysis, production, and dissemination of intelligence-related information to all components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This study examines literature from the DHS strategic documents, Department of Defense intelligence doctrine, Government Accountability Office reports, internal USBP intelligence documents, and subject-matter expert perspectives. This research leads USBP to consider instituting an effective organizational architecture that supports the evolutionary development of its intelligence-driven, border security operations and intelligence-driven, decision-making process. The thesis concludes that the synergy between law enforcement culture and intelligence-driven operations is difficult to achieve, yet once established, it is very powerful, irreplaceable, highly effective, and self-sustainable. Evidence demonstrates that in order to institute a culture of an intelligence-driven border security agency, a more robust approach needs to be standardized to sustain the flexibility and adaptability the USBP requires to address future threats in the twenty-first century."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Chavez, Gloria I.
2015-12
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Beating the Red Gold Rush: Copper Theft and Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis is a comparative case study comparing and contrasting the efforts of three countries (United Kingdom, France, Italy) in their fight to reduce copper wire theft incidents within their nations. The ultimate goal of the research is to highlight the significant threat posed to critical infrastructure from copper thieves and to offer best practice recommendations to policymakers within the United States in response, based on the experiences of the three targeted nations. An analysis of the data reveals that the United Kingdom has had the most success in the reduction of reported copper wire theft incidents primarily due to its multi-faceted approach to the problem, which includes heavy regulation of the scrap recycling industry, centralized law enforcement operations, and enhanced criminal statutes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Cook, James A.
2015-12
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Crime-Terrorism Nexus, and the Threat to U.S. Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Since 2001, violent sub-national groups with disparate ideologies and motivations have been working together to further their objectives. They are collaborating, sharing each other's tactics, and learning from one another's successes and failures. What is the background or historical context of the crime-terror nexus, and what challenges does it present to U.S. homeland security practitioners? This thesis uses a case study approach to examine the history of the nexus between transnational criminal organizations and foreign terrorist organizations. The three case studies are then used as the data for the analysis chapter, which shows the historical and emerging relationships between states and the three violent sub-national groups. The three case studies suggest the activities of these violent sub-national groups are protean in nature; they are best described by analysts as falling into the 'gray area phenomenon.' The three case studies, the analysis, and conclusion of this thesis support the recommendation that more effort needs to be placed on intelligence collection, especially at the domestic and local levels."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Schofield, Robert Michael
2015-12
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Ideal Police Oversight and Review: The Next Piece of the Community Policing Puzzle
From the thesis abstract: "There has been independent oversight of law enforcement complaints for over a hundred years in the United States, but recent cases of perceived excessive use of force by law enforcement officers have thrust independent oversight into the national forefront. This thesis set out to discover frameworks, operation methods, and responsibilities of independent oversight of cases involving police excessive use of force by researching the current structures and practices of oversight bodies across America--how they differ from each other, how they are successful--and determining whether there should be a national standard. This research includes oversight boards from small, medium, and large American municipalities with law enforcement agencies whose ethnic diversity is not reflective of their communities. Through the use of a request for information, 12 independent oversight boards were examined. The research suggests there is no consistency across independent oversight boards, no standard for independent oversight board frameworks, and no tracking of their efficiency toward organizational or academically suggested goals. Nor is there a central repository where lessons learned and best practices can be catalogued and distributed. This thesis provides recommendations for future research on independent oversight boards."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Sajor, Antonio, Jr.
2015-12
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What's In a Name: A Comparative Analysis of the United States' REAL ID Act and The United Kingdom's National Identity Scheme
From the thesis abstract: "Since September 11, 2001, many governments have considered developing national identity management systems. Beyond identification, politicians and proponents of these systems have touted such system benefits as combating terrorism, preventing identity theft, facilitating travel, and combating illegal work and benefit fraud. For these reasons, the United States and United Kingdom both considered variations of these systems. While the United Kingdom passed the Identity Cards Act of 2006 and spent several years developing a national identity management system before ultimately scrapping the scheme in 2010, the United States sought to secure further the existing means of identification--driver's licenses and identity cards--through the passage of the REAL ID Act. Both measures met with widespread resistance. What does an examination of resistance to nationwide identity management schemes in the United States and United Kingdom reveal about the nature of national identity management systems and identity cards, and what does this resistance tell policymakers and security officials who promote such schemes? Through a comparative analysis of the REAL ID Act implementation and the National Identity Scheme, this thesis shows that Anglophone, common-law nations experience the same inhibiting factors, whether or not they attempt to implement a national identity management system or an identity card on a national scale."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Jefferson, Karrie Ann
2015-12
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What Can History Teach Us? A Comparative Historical Analysis on the Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Department of Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis examines an institution that has been educating, providing leadership training and commissioning the vast majority of U.S. military officers for nearly 100 years, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). This program was formed and shaped over nearly a century through conflict, military necessity, and political maneuvering. Through the incorporation of a historical comparative lens, this program's mechanistic and temporal conditions are captured to provide lessons learned for other entities searching for an educational identity. One such organization that is struggling to establish a preparatory program and identity is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). When looking at the two case studies side by side, it is easy to see that they do indeed share commonalities in organizational structure, need, and mission. The findings from this thesis offer evidence that the DHS is growing in educational parallel to ROTC, while suffering from many of the same growing pains the Department of Defense did while trying to establish its educational roots. This thesis tracks conditions that shaped the ROTC we know today, while simultaneously highlighting the deficiencies the DHS is facing. It also lays the path for future work that could call for a similar analog as the ROTC for the DHS."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Banker, Thomas A.
2015-12
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Considerations for Domestic Law Enforcement Implementation of a UAS Program in the Proposed FAA Regulatory Environment of Integration into the National Airspace System
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis identifies the potential future mission profile of an unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) program within a domestic law enforcement agency after implementation of UAS regulations, a task currently in progress by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). First, the author reviews current academic literature and provides analysis on key policy issues of safety, the transfer of risk, and constitutional rights. Then, the author consults the knowledge and experience of individuals responsible for the integration architecture of UAS through an IRB [Institutional Review Board]-approved online survey. The survey of these subject matter experts using the Delphi method resulted in the following recommendations: (1) early public engagement and transparency for intended UAS use by law enforcement; (2) a policy framework that addresses safe operation and privacy; (3) further investment in 'sense and avoid' technology; (4) the development of a comprehensive UAS training program. This academically rigorous consultation provides law enforcement executives and elected officials the policy implications of initiating a new UAS program and the groundwork to assess existing UAS programs."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
McMinn, Keith Andrew
2015-12
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Advance of the Black Flags: Symbolism, Social Identity, and Psychological Operations in Violent Conflict
From the thesis abstract: "The United States is in an ideological war with violent extremists in the realm of mass communication, but the nature of this conflict is not well understood. This thesis reviewed literature concerning communication principles and the psychology of symbolism, then used qualitative analysis to investigate strategic communication samples to understand how media was used to construct group identity, influence attitudes, and challenge adversaries. Themes critical to narrative construction were identified, as were communication techniques that place emphasis on key ideas in music and film. The roles of symbolism, rituals, and music in human behavior were further researched. This research was then applied to the Islamic State's use of media to influence attitudes and inspire behavior. The ultimate recommendation suggests that the United States approach this conflict as a true war by asserting a communication strategy designed to disrupt violent, exclusionary ideologies."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Milburn, Christopher D.
2015-12
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Combining Facial Recognition, Automatic License Plate Readers and Closed-Circuit Television to Create an Interstate Identification System for Wanted Subjects
From the thesis abstract: "Advancing technology in the field of facial recognition systems (FRS), closed-circuit television (CCTV) and automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) could make it possible to create a system capable of identifying suspected terrorists, current terrorist watch list suspects, other wanted criminals, and missing persons. This research examines the convergence of these technologies to design an efficient system and improve the speed and accuracy of potential suspect identification. To do so, the thesis examines all systems' basic capabilities, privacy issues or concerns, best practices, possible areas for improvement, and policy considerations. Since the tragedies of September 11, 2001, a large volume of literature related to FRS, ALPR, and CCTV systems has been created. The intent of this thesis is to serve as catalyst for a new security system designed to locate, identify, and apprehend known terrorist watch list suspects and other wanted persons who are traversing the interstate systems in the United States. The goal is to provide another layer of protection and create a deterrent to both criminal and terrorist activity, providing a safer environment for all U.S. citizens. Furthermore, this capability can help locate Amber Alert and Silver Alert subjects."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Thomas, Michael J.
2015-12
