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Texas Should Adopt Homeland Security Standards for High-Speed Rail
From the thesis abstract: "A private corporation is proposing a high-speed intercity passenger train system to operate between Dallas and Houston using Japanese technology and methods. This project brings with it an array of unique and unprecedented homeland security issues. Train bombings in Madrid and London and attacks on high-speed trains elsewhere raise questions about the security of such transportation. A modern high-speed rail system is a network of potential vulnerabilities, and terrorist groups have identified public transportation as desirable targets. Should the State of Texas require homeland security standards for high-speed rail? A review of the literature reveals the number and consequences of terrorist actions against passenger rail in general and intercity high-speed trains in particular. In addition, it suggests that this writing is the first in its specific application. This thesis places the project in historical and geographical context and reviews potential vulnerabilities using a framework developed by the Argonne National Laboratory. Furthermore, it includes a fault tree analysis and an options analysis through which possible approaches are identified and analyzed. Finally, this thesis finds that the State of Texas should require homeland security standards and provides recommendations for action in the areas of law enforcement, cybersecurity, intelligence, privacy, screening, psychological and mental health effects, and community involvement."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Polunsky, Steven M.
2015-12
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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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Comparative Analysis of Fusion Center Outreach to Fire and EMS Agencies
From the thesis abstract: "Fire and EMS responders have had little involvement with fusion center operations, and this directly impacts the country's safety. Only a handful of fusion centers have integrated the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) responders into the collection, analysis, and sharing of information on homeland security activities. This thesis analyzes the predominant practices of five fusion centers that have integrated fire and EMS responders into their reporting process. The highlighted practices from the study of these fusion centers can be utilized to expand the integration at fusion centers across the country and to further expand the role of the fire and EMS responder in homeland security. Implementing these practices involves the fusion centers commitment to integration, to cooperation, and to preparedness. Having basic terrorism behavior training, along with suspicious-activity indicator awareness, sets the baseline for fire and EMS agencies to select key decision makers who become the liaison with the fusion center. Sufficient quantities of fusion center liaisons are needed to support the size and number of agencies in the fusion centers' area of responsibility. Having uniformed senior fire and EMS line officers staffing the liaison positions will expand the trust of the fusion centers' processes while providing more channels for outreach and interaction between first responders and fusion centers."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Goldstein, Scott E.
2015-12
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I Am the Dragoman: EMS Translations and Boundary Objects in National Preparedness
From the thesis abstract: "Emergency medical services (EMS) in the United States is highly localized, arising from the historical efforts of local entrepreneurs, with local resources, perceptions and expectations. Early EMS development was spurred by strong federal leadership and funding for capacity building, but since the early 1980s, EMS has suffered from an absence of both, resulting in a patchwork of thousands of persistent local EMS interpretations. This study evaluates EMS through the framework of Boundary Object Theory, demonstrating that EMS is what Star and Griesemer refer to as a 'boundary object,' around and within which multiple communities of practice interact. A case study of a local EMS agency as a community of practice demonstrates that it is indeed an organizational community of practice, and part of a larger EMS--and specifically out of hospital EMS community of practice. These communities of practice contribute to a coherent collective meaning of the EMS object at some analytical levels, but EMS perceptions do not scale from the local level to national preparedness policy. The consequences are discordant EMS preparedness policy and gaps in national preparedness, exacerbated by a lack of standardized methods and consolidated federal leadership for EMS. Recognizing out of hospital EMS as a discipline with a defined domain, its inclusion in preparedness policy development, and the return of federal leadership in EMS are recommendations."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Robinson, James L.
2018-09
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'Sensing Disaster': The Use of Wearable Sensor Technology to Decrease Firefighter Line-of-Duty-Deaths
From the thesis abstract: "After more than 30 years of the American fire service averaging over 100 line-of-duty deaths annually, the technology now exists that can reduce the number of firefighter line-of-duty deaths of cardiac origin. Despite the creation of programs designed to improve firefighters' cardiac health and fitness, no reduction has occurred in the number of firefighters suffering fatal cardiac events. While firefighters can suffer heart attacks or cardiac emergencies anywhere, it has been well documented that firefighters working on the fire ground are exposed to significantly increased risk-factors for the development of coronary heart disease, as well as the exacerbation of underlying cardiac problems. As a result, more firefighters experience signs and symptoms of cardiac complications while on the fire ground than anywhere else while on duty. The development of wearable sensor technology now allows for incident commanders or their assigned designees to monitor the real-time physiologic health and wellness of each and every firefighter operating on the fire scene. Through the use of wearable sensor technology, firefighters can not only have their vital signs and EKG [Electrocardiogram] monitored, but this technology will also allow for real-time tracking of their location within a structure and their body motion, speed, and direction of travel. The use of wearable sensor technology in the fire service will have a significant impact on improving not only firefighter health and safety, but when fully developed, will improve other aspects of the firefighting profession, such as search and rescue and fire attack."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Payne, John A.
2015-12
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Will Climate Change the Future of Homeland Security?
From the thesis abstract: "Drought, melting Arctic ice, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise are all subsectors of climate change. I have identified these as slow-onset disasters. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether slow-onset disasters are adequately addressed in the homeland security discipline. Risk assessments were performed to determine the level of risk these types of disasters pose to homeland security. The critical infrastructure lifeline sectors--Energy, Communications, Transportation Systems, and Water and Wastewater Systems--were chosen for these assessments because of their identified criticality to national security. The assessments reveal slow-onset disasters pose varying degrees of risk to these sectors. Policy analyses were conducted on the components of the nation's coordinated approach to homeland security. These reveal the homeland security discipline does not adequately address slow-onset disasters because of internal contradictions. The contradictions are the result of two of the frameworks used in the development of homeland security policies--continuity heuristic and probabilistic thinking. These frameworks lead disaster-consequence planners to consider the probability and magnitude of a disaster based on a retrofocused approach. Based upon my findings, I recommend that possibilistic reasoning (anticipating the worst that could happen), coupled with a future-focused approach, be used to develop homeland security policies that will fully address the emerging threats posed by slow-onset disasters."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wasp, Valli A.
2016-09
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Shades of Gray: Releasing the Cognitive Binds that Blind Us
From the thesis abstract: "The United States Intelligence Community is tasked with providing the intelligence necessary to protect the homeland and U.S. interests abroad. Technology acts as a force multiplier for intelligence analysts, but that advantage also comes with substantial risk. The risk lies in our reliance on technology and processes, and the tradecraft of intelligence analysis and critical thinking appears to be losing relevance. During the intelligence analysis process, weak signals are often identified and then dismissed. In hindsight, these weak signals are realized as missed opportunities that could have allowed the Intelligence Community to mitigate the threat. This research examines cognitive bias from multiple perspectives and affirms that cognitive bias does influence intelligence analysis, and intelligence analysts need to understand the effects of cognitive bias. This research presents a recent case study and determines the negative influences of those biases had an impact on the decisions that were ultimately made in error. As a result of this research and analysis, several mitigation strategies are identified and included as recommendations to the Intelligence Community. These strategies present the United States with an opportunity to decrease the influences of cognitive bias on intelligence analysis, leading to a more effective and resilient Intelligence Community."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hensley, Patrick D.
2016-09
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Securing Healthcare's Quantified-Self Data: A Comparative Analysis Versus Personal Financial Account Aggregators Based on Porter's Five Forces Framework for Competitive Forces
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis explores possible solutions to secure the aggregation and sharing of healthcare's quantified-self data, based on lessons from the personal financial industry. To address this concern, Porter's Five Forces Framework is used to understand how consumers are impacted by the two sectors' differences in legislation, technology, and security. The analysis in this thesis indicates that consumers of financial account aggregators benefit from more secure and interoperable services. In contrast, users of healthcare aggregators are negatively affected by the healthcare industry's higher threat of new entrants and the bargaining power of suppliers. Therefore, healthcare leaders should improve consumer benefits by transforming their industry's competitive forces to mimic those of the financial services industry. To accomplish this goal, industry leaders could focus on filling the gap in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for self-generated data, improving security innovations, and attracting third-party developers to secure data interoperability."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Chiang, Catherine H.
2016-09
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GPS: Public Utility or Software Platform?
From the thesis abstract: "The Global Positioning System (GPS), a satellite navigation system, is critical to the United States' (U.S.) national and homeland security. The U.S. has made GPS resilient to interruption by flying more satellites than required, dispersing its infrastructure, and increasing its signals. Despite these efforts, there is concern the U.S. may not be able to overcome disturbances in GPS's operations. Limitations in GPS data and the policy literature prevent the full quantification of exactly how vulnerable GPS is to service interruption. This thesis used constant comparison analysis to examine how a shift in conceptual lens from viewing GPS as public utility to viewing it as a software platform has changed our understanding of its criticality, resilience, and vulnerability. This methodology overcomes research limitations by using GPS system design, operations, and policies as its data sources. The public utility lens reveals the U.S. has increased GPS resilience through system design and redundancies. The software platform lens shows the U.S. further increased GPS resilience by adding navigation signals. Together, the lenses indicate manufacturers, applications developers, and users are constraints to increasing GPS's resilience. Additional data, models, and research are required to inform policies and decisions to further improve GPS's resilience."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Thibault, Marc A., Jr.
2016-09
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Protecting Networks via Automated Defense of Cyber Systems
From the thesis abstract: "Over the next ten to fifteen years, the number of internet-enabled devices is anticipated to grow exponentially, which will magnify cyber risks across an expanding attack surface area. It is unclear whether current manual methods of detection, verification, and remediation will allow network defenders to keep up with those risks. This thesis examined whether automated cyber defenses promise to be more effective than current models to cope with the results of vulnerabilities introduced by the projected increase in internet-enabled devices. The thesis further proposed a future model called Automated Defense of Cyber Systems, built upon three core technological components: sensors, autonomics, and artificial intelligence. Our conclusion is that automation is the future of cyber defense, and that advances are being made in each of the three technological components to support needed productivity gains for information technology security personnel. Continued advances will occur piecemeal, and it is recommended that network defenders make incremental investments consistent with an automated defensive strategy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Morin, Matthew E.
2016-09
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Hacking Your Ride: Is Web 2.0 Creating Vulnerabilities to Surface Transportation?
From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of this thesis is to determine the threats that social media and social navigation (SMSN) pose to the surface transportation system. The research catalogs the types of threats and SMSN's vulnerabilities, and uncovers terrorists' malign use of social media for intelligence gathering. Academic researchers have already discovered threats in social navigation platforms such as Waze and Google Maps; Sybil and man-in-the-middle attacks allow malicious actors to create traffic congestion and alternate vehicle routing. While this has not yet caused an attributable security concern to the vehicle surface transportation system, in the hands of malicious actors, these vulnerabilities could be exploited to orchestrate an attack that devastates infrastructure and risks human lives."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Novenario, Cedric
2016-09
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Preventing Stress Disorders for Law Enforcement Officers Exposed to Disturbing Media
From the thesis abstract: "The law enforcement officer's job is both physically and mentally challenging. In an instant, officers can be thrown into extremely stressful situations. Officers and intelligence analysts continually view disturbing images during their time in the unit--some must watch child pornography, and others prison torture, as part of their daily duties. This thesis explores how law enforcement departments can prevent secondary traumatic stress disorder (STSD) among officers. Although limited in part by the police culture, the research examined several currently utilized programs that teach coping mechanisms, including SHIFT [Supporting Heroes In mental health Foundation Training], peer support officer programs, and critical incident stress management. The research also examined approaches being utilized by the military to treat returning soldiers suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and service dogs. Further research should be conducted to discover law enforcement programs that proactively treat the mental health and wellness of all their officers--not only those exposed to disturbing media."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Murphy, Matthew G.
2016-09
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Case Study in the Identification of Critical Factors Leading to Successful Implementation of the Hospital Incident Command System
From the thesis abstract: "The Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) is widely used by the nation's hospitals, yet there is a paucity of research and a lack of developed models to examine HICS implementation. A study of HICS implementation may benefit hospitals, provide insight for future revisions, and add to the body of knowledge about HICS. This case study examined the critical factors that lead to the successful implementation of HICS based upon Stanford Medicine's Response to the Asiana plane crash of July 6, 2013. Four commonalities identified from the literature review formed a hypothesis for successful HICS implementation that was tested and supported. In addition to the lessons learned that supported the tested hypothesis, the documentation reviewed described highly competent individuals and cohesive teamwork. It was not possible to separate individual and team competence from the tested hypothesis. As a result of this study, six critical factors were identified from the supported hypothesis that form an HICS implementation model for future evaluation."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Schoenthal, Lisa
2015-06
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Use of Satellite Imagery for Domestic Law Enforcement
From the thesis abstract: "From an event management standpoint, and in concert with digital mapping applications, satellite imagery has proven its utility to support first responders and emergency services in a wide range of both natural and manmade disasters. Imagery data has also supplemented police activities in developing operational plans that can be prepared for short time, high risk responses at either public facilities or events. This policy options analysis draws a side-by-side comparison of three approaches for the law enforcement community to readily acquire satellite imagery. One approach will make added use of the Civil Applications Committee, the second approach will explore the reactivation of the National Applications Office, and the third will investigate making greater use of commercially available sources. All three approaches have clear advantages and disadvantages, some more than others. In the final analysis, the best policy option presented was making greater use of commercial providers. The relative ease to collect material and manage it with fewer obstacles, in comparison to the Civil Applications Committee and National Applications Office alternative, made it the better option."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Schillinger, Raymond M.
2013-12
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Affordable Care Act: A Prescription for Homeland Security Preparedness?
From the thesis abstract: "Prior to implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), tens of millions of U.S. citizens were without health insurance coverage. Without health insurance, health care can be unaffordable or inaccessible, or both. Our ability to obtain health care is part of the homeland security preparedness puzzle. If the Affordable Care Act increases health insurance coverage and helps to control costs as promised, it has enormous potential to bolster homeland security simultaneously. This thesis asks, 'How will the implementation of the Affordable Care Act positively impact homeland security in its efforts to achieve its all-hazards preparedness goal?' This thesis first draws the links between health insurance coverage, health care and homeland security. Using empirical evidence and deductive analysis, it then forward-maps the positive impacts ACA implementation is likely have on homeland security in the areas of health and economic security. Recommendations aimed at enhancing the positive effects of the ACA are provided, including expanding ACA access and benefits to immigrants, better educating the public on the ACA tax penalty, and utilizing grants to encourage state participation."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Petersen, Kimberly Ann
2014-09
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Leveraging Poison Centers' Capabilities for Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Despite a nationwide presence, the daily provision of toxicologic emergency care and collaboration within the public health and emergency management arena, the nation's poison centers are underutilized as a resource and as a partner for homeland security. The lack of utilization has clinical and monetary implications across the healthcare and public health enterprise. This thesis investigated the question do poison centers improve outcomes during public health emergencies? If so, how can they be better leveraged? This thesis research includes a case study analysis evaluating five functions that poison centers provide: disaster response, situational awareness around emerging threats, communication of these threats to the general public and to health care responders, clinical expertise and reducing the burden on health care facilities by preventing unnecessary emergency department visits, and reducing hospitalized patient's length of stay. The findings of this research demonstrate that poison centers do positively impact outcomes during a disaster. They save lives, reduce health care costs, and provide a unique and valuable resource to the public and professional community. In order to better leverage these capabilities recommendations based on this research, collaboration should be increased with the Department of Homeland Security, Health Resources and Service Administration, and the Center for Disease Control, as well as with local and state agencies engaged in emergency response efforts."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Caliva, T. Michele
2015-12
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Protecting DHS Component Pre-9/11 Functions: Improving Visibility in Budget Exhibits
From the thesis abstract: "When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed in 2003, 22 distinct agencies and directorates were consolidated into one organization. The Homeland Security Act of 2002, which mandated DHS' creation, also required that functions performed by other agencies within the Department--those not related directly to securing the homeland--not be diminished or neglected. DHS has been challenged to produce annual budgets that clearly delineate homeland security and non-homeland security functions, making it difficult to assess whether legacy functions have been diminished. This thesis utilized a policy analysis research method to review budget exhibits from fiscal years 2004--2013 in order to analyze funding levels for DHS components' specific legacy functions. Findings revealed that some functions have received decreased funding without a commensurate reduction in demand for that service. The need to unequivocally define which DHS activities are considered homeland security-related emerged as a recurring theme in the research as well. Using a multi-goal policy approach, the study assessed potential courses of action and ultimately makes two recommendations: to pursue a pilot test of modified budget submission requirements for a limited number of DHS components, and to benchmark business processes followed by the Departments of Interior and Commerce."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Dietrich, Serena J.
2015-09
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Use of Autonomous Systems in Emergency Medical Services: Bridging Human Intelligence and Technology
From the thesis abstract: "The rapid development of autonomous systems (AS), which are technological systems or processes that either support or replace human decision making, will have a significant impact on emergency medical services (EMS). EMS provider organizations must be prepared to not only interact with AS by having response protocols in place that provide responders with guidance in dealing with these systems during an emergency, but they must also be able to leverage this technology to improve the quality of public safety services. Effective leveraging of AS technologies will enable emergency medical responders to improve efficiency, reduce cost, and provide greater service to those in need. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats evaluation of the impact of not embracing AS reveals that weakness in efficiency and safety and threats from the emerging technology-based markets and the users of EMS will be high, that the number of opportunities to improve required emergency response and deliver expedient medical care will be diminished, and that strengths may be nonexistent. The thesis focuses on the analysis of what AS are, how they are used in the provision of EMS today, how they may be leveraged in EMS systems in the future, and which concerns are related to the use of these systems with regard to homeland security."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Davies, Josh A.
2015-12
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Da Vinci's Children Take Flight: Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Homeland
From the thesis abstract: "In 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration will open national airspace to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Nonmilitary uses for UAS range from agriculture services to entertainment purposes, and include tasks as mundane as inspecting gutters and as consequential as fighting fires. Outside of the safety issues that accompany many breakthrough technologies, the effort to integrate UAS into national airspace is enmeshed in political, legal and economic policies that require careful navigation. Factors like cybersecurity and technological advancements will continue to influence the way UAS can be used. This thesis provides an orientation to the key considerations in UAS integration. Policy recommendations include early stakeholder engagement; a national data protection law; no-fly zones around private residences; clearly identifying UAS operators and owners; nonlethal payloads in national airspace; adapting current surveillance laws to UAS; a single, national privacy law to facilitate the free flow of commerce and coordination across state lines; a federal office in charge of monitoring data privacy; accountability of data collectors; limited exemptions for activities conducted in the interest of national security or to protect life and property; and managing cybersecurity risks." A 9-min, 10-second video interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=752922]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Moore, Jeanie
2014-03
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Surviving the 'Storm': Expanding Public Health's Capabilities in Response to the Increasing Threats Posed by Novel Viruses
From the thesis abstract: "As the planet's population continues to grow at rate that will see a global population of nine billion people by the year 2050, is an era being entered into which pandemics involving novel viruses are the new norm? If that idea is possible, then are drug therapies (approved by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] or in the pipeline for its approval) available that either limit virus replication within a host cell, or reduce the body's hyper-immune response (also known as 'cytokine storm') to novel or pandemic strain viruses with which states could supplement their existing stockpiles? This research explores six classes of medications that could potentially assist state-level governments in expanding their state-level stockpiles, to include more treatment and prophylaxis options, in the face of pandemics involving novel viruses. The results of this research were filtered through three criteria (medical efficacy, cost, logistical considerations) that narrow the field of candidate therapies down to four specific findings: one generic version of the antiviral called Ribavirin, and generic versions of the statins called Lipitor, Zocor and Gemfibrozil. This research may be applied to state and local-level public health agencies interested in bolstering their existing stockpiles for pandemic preparedness."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Mackie, Daniel P.
2013-12
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Using Automatic Identification System Technology to Improve Maritime Border Security
From the thesis abstract: "Our coastal waters are the United States' most open and vulnerable borders. This vast maritime domain harbors critical threats from terrorism, criminal activities, and natural disasters. Maritime borders pose significant security challenges, as nefarious entities have used small boats to conduct illegal activities for years, and they continue to do so today. Illegal drugs, money, weapons, and migrants flow both directions across our maritime borders, as vessels can quickly complete these transits without detection. To what extent could Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology improve border security against the small vessel threat? This thesis provides an overview of existing AIS systems and reviews the maritime border security effectiveness and cost benefit impacts of potential AIS equipment carriage requirements. We compared and analyzed policy options and reviewed implementation issues and concerns. Our conclusions are that the Department of Homeland Security should implement a regulation for all vessels, regardless of size, to install and broadcast Class A or Class B AIS when conducting international voyages. The proposed regulation would expand the existing Small Vessel Reporting System to a mandatory program wherein mariners are required to preregister and file float plans prior to conducting an international voyage. This proposed action provides direct support to three of the five basic homeland security missions: prevent terrorism and enhance security, secure and manage our borders, and enforce and administer our immigration laws."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Lindstrom, Tedric R.
2014-12
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Approaching Career Criminals with an Intelligence Cycle
From the thesis abstract: "Career criminals have been responsible for a high number of crimes out of proportion to their small numbers. Efforts to reduce the recidivism rate through intervention programs have not been effective. American law enforcement could be more effective if career criminals were targeted for special attention. Many law enforcement formats, such as community policing, problem-oriented policing and intelligence-led policing, are currently in use by American state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and applying the use of intelligence practices to crime in these communities has become a focus of its law enforcement agencies. Can American law enforcement agencies use an intelligence community tool--the intelligence cycle--to deal with career criminals effectively? This thesis studies serious-offender programs and the use of the intelligence cycle by American intelligence agencies in order to create a model merging serious offender programs and intelligence cycles. It investigates serious-offender programs and finds that a lack of focus limited the use of the intelligence cycle within the American criminal justice system. This thesis concludes that the use of the intelligence cycle--specifically the FBI's [Federal Bureau of Investigation] intelligence cycle's six steps of requirements, planning and direction, collection, processing and exploitation, analysis and production, and dissemination--can assist a law enforcement agency in focusing its efforts on career criminals."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
O'Leary, Denis Francis
2015-12
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Olive Branch and the Maple Leaf: A Comparative Analysis of Refugee Policies in Canada and the United States and the Potential for Blended Reform
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis reviewed the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to address concerns regarding the program and actions taken by the Donald J. Trump administration. Specifically, the thesis sought to determine if the admission of refugees poses a threat to the United States and if the USRAP can be modified. To determine potential threats, the research reviewed several concerns, including physical threats that could be caused by refugee admissions as well as economic and social impacts that refugees could have on host countries or individual communities, and then weighed competing arguments against objective evidence. Additionally, the research made a broader comparison between the structure of the United States' and Canada's refugee programs to determine if best practices from both nations might craft an updated USRAP. Ultimately, the thesis determined that refugees pose neither a physical security risk nor an economic risk to the United States. The country, however, is currently failing in its statutory mandate to involve local communities in resettlement decisions; this has long-term negative effects on refugees and citizens. To address this concern, the United States should blend in smart practices from Canada's Provincial Nominee Program to bring USRAP more in line with statutory requirements and current humanitarian needs."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Tisdale, Robert
2018-12
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When the House is Full, but the Guests Keep Coming: Determining the Impact of Daily Hospital Overcrowding on Disaster Response
From the thesis abstract: "Hospitals throughout the United States are facing overcrowding every day, with more patients than available staff and space can accommodate, yet current disaster response policy related to managing a surge of patients does not include considerations for this daily challenge. This thesis investigates the questions that need to be answered regarding the foundational principles of current U.S. surge policy and how healthcare coalitions might assist in answering such questions. A gap analysis of current healthcare coalition policy related to surge was completed that identified the need for policy makers to continue to expand the role of evidence-based decision making for surge policy. As a result, this thesis recommends that additional data points be added for hospitals receiving patients during the required annual coalition surge test-related performance measures for healthcare coalitions. The additional data points are designed to help policy makers determine whether overcrowding impacts surge response, so policy can be adjusted if needed."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Menefee, Charity M.
2018-12
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Ferguson Effect - Are Police Anxieties to Blame?
From the thesis abstract: "The 'Ferguson Effect' is a relatively recent and controversial theory suggesting law enforcement officers across the country have become less proactive in their policing efforts following the August 2014 officer-involved shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. This thesis attempts to settle the Ferguson Effect debate by determining whether open-source data about police productivity can be collected and analyzed either to support or contradict the Ferguson Effect. Publicly available data repositories through the Public Safety Open Data Portal, Public Data Initiative, and related governmental links are utilized for raw dataset acquisition. Three agencies are chosen for data collection and analysis: (1) the Burlington Police Department, Burlington, Vermont, (2) the Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery County, Maryland, and (3) the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In each case study, the data is insufficient to confirm or deny the existence of the Ferguson Effect, although the limited data available does suggest that in these three cities, no noticeable de-policing is detected following the killing of Michael Brown. The conclusion of the study yields several limitations. The most evident deficiency identified in this study involves the transparency initiative and Open Government program, specifically with regard to the Public Data Initiative (PDI) and gathering of police-related data. The PDI needs to establish stricter guidelines and compliance for participating agencies. Additionally, this thesis suggests that less emphasis should be placed on crime correlations and more value placed on de-policing and anxieties being experienced by officers to measure accurately the existence of a Ferguson Effect."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Simonds, Stephen Edward, Jr.
2017-03
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Forgotten Disaster Victim: Reducing Responder Injury
From the thesis abstract: "First responders, including firefighters, police officers, emergency medical service workers, and disaster clean-up teams, are often the forgotten victims of disaster response and recovery, suffering higher injury and illness rates than other population groups. Hampered by limited data collection from past disasters and few existing disaster response injury studies, this thesis examined disaster response case studies to illuminate responder injury and illness issues. Recommendations to reduce injuries and improve responder safety include better training before a disaster, proper use of personnel protective equipment, and strict enforcement of existing policies, rules, and laws at the scene of a disaster."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wright, Anthony James
2017-03
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Management of the Severely Mentally Ill and Its Effects on Homeland Security [supplemental]
This record contains supplemental material for the thesis of the same title. The supplemental material contained in this record includes Appendix F and Appendix G. Appendix F includes statistical information regarding the impact of mental health on law enforcement resources compiled in a state-by-state format. Appendix G contains similar information for areas with a population of less than 1000. The resources are large files located in zip file format with Appendix F consisting of 247 MB and Appendix G, 19.7 MB. The associated thesis may be found at following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=691236]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Biasotti, Michael C.
2011-09
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Immigration Adjudication Reform: The Case for Automation
From the thesis abstract: "A bill that has passed the United States Senate, S. 744, proposes a 'Lawful Prospective Immigrant' (LPI) status and a 'path to Citizenship' for an estimated 11--12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the agency that would be responsible for processing applications for LPI status or other immigration benefits authorized by immigration reform legislation or administrative relief programs introduced by the White House. Current agency receipts of applications for immigration benefits range between 6 and 7 million per year. Depending on the eligibility criteria for new immigration benefits, agency receipts could triple. The operational impact of these legislative or executive actions on USCIS could bear significant national security risks. This study evaluates whether the implementation of automated tools would mitigate external operational impacts on USCIS. Two existing automated systems are studied. The Secure Flight system, operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Automated Continuous Evaluation System (ACES) as utilized in the Joint Reform Effort (JRE) were selected for their complexity, maturity, and similarity to immigration adjudications. This analysis demonstrates that automated tools can improve the quality of immigration adjudications by supporting a comprehensive assessment, including accuracy, timeliness, completeness and validity. Further, automation would improve the agency's operational responsiveness when external factors such as policy changes affect workloads. These factors thereby improve national security by supporting the agency's mission to uphold the integrity of the immigration system and to prevent and intercept illicit actors from entering or remaining in the United States."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Sanford, Abigail J.
2014-09
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TB Anywhere is TB Everywhere: The Intersection of U.S. Immigration Enforcement Policy and TB
From the thesis abstract: "Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant health issue to both the general public and the officers who enforce our nation's immigration laws. Current immigration enforcement policies increase the likelihood that immigration officers will encounter people with TB. Should the United States alter its immigration enforcement policies to address more directly the threat that tuberculosis poses to public health? This thesis reviews this question through the lens of the Advisory Council on Tuberculosis's recommendation that the priority is to identify and treat all cases of active TB. This thesis provides a policy options analysis examining the status quo and three options suggested in the literature on TB: cure TB before removal, increase international cooperation in treating TB, and increase TB testing. This policy analysis identifies gaps in the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) ability to identify and treat active TB in the aliens encountered through the immigration enforcement process. Additionally, it recommends that the DHS require that all detained aliens be screened for active TB by use of a chest X-ray. It further recommends that the DHS completely cure all aliens found to have active TB, whether detained or released from detention, prior to their removal from the United States."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Little, Reed David
2016-09
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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
