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• Analysis of the New Jersey Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act Through a Modern Emergency Management Frame

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  "The laws and directives in the state of New Jersey governing emergency management must ensure a defined, understood, and achievable mission, and clearly delineate responsibilities at each level of government. This thesis addresses how emergency management in New Jersey can be modified based on a comprehensive analysis of the New Jersey Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act of 1942 and the corresponding New Jersey Office of Emergency Management directives. Each statute of the act and each directive was analyzed against five criteria and then placed in one of three categories: no change, modification needed, or repeal. Emergency management professionals in the state were then asked questions regarding the act, the content of the analysis, and the categorization of the statutes. The data collected from these professionals was used to make changes, or to alter the final categorization. This iterative process resulted in a more thorough analysis. This research makes four main recommendations: improve training for emergency managers in the state, codify modifications of the act in legislation, take a holistic approach to improvements for emergency operations plan development and compliance, and modify residency restrictions on municipal emergency management coordinators. The goal of this thesis is to provide the least complex rules and regulations for emergency managers, so that they can do their job with a better sense of responsibilities to the community served."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Cunning, Daniel

  2020-03
• Human Trafficking: The Hidden Aftermath of U.S. Natural Disasters

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  "This thesis explores common factors associated with both victims of human trafficking and vulnerable populations in post-natural-disaster environments. This research aimed to prove post-natural-disasters can lead to human trafficking crimes. The research identified social, economic, and human security factors that are present in both human trafficking and natural disaster environments. Volatility in these categories destabilizes and disrupts multiple aspects of a community, consequently leading to individuals being more susceptible to trafficking. The findings of this research also indicate that the identified factors have universal applicability regardless of disaster type, culture, or geographic location. Disaster survivors are not the only vulnerable population, but other populations, such as disaster workers, are also susceptible to trafficking. Gaining an in-depth perspective on the common vulnerabilities linking human trafficking and natural disasters can help officials develop strategies to assist with combating trafficking activities in a post-disaster environment and protect individuals who are in a compromised state after enduring a life-altering disaster event."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Eichelberger, Carrie B.

  2020-03
• Bridging the Gap: Providing Transportation Leaders with a Strategic and Risk-Based Investment Methodology

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  "A nationally accepted and adopted methodology for state departments of transportation to assess the importance of roads, bridges, and other transportation assets does not exist. Instead, transportation agencies must prioritize the projects to invest in, without having a complete picture of the makeup of their network and the risk posed from a loss or disruption of a component of the network. To make informed transportation investment decisions, transportation leaders need to have the tools necessary to determine the risk to the infrastructure based on the possible consequences if a segment of the transportation infrastructure network were disrupted. This thesis provides a methodology for network modeling of surface transportation infrastructure and analyzing the risk of a disruption to that network based on the consequence of population and economic impacts. By applying the methodology herein, transportation leaders can make informed decisions about their transportation investments based on the investments that provide the greatest return on investment."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Miller, Brittany N.

  2020-03
• International Governance of Non-State Actors in Cyberspace: Is a Single Entity Sufficient for Dispute Resolution?

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "Cyberattacks by non-state actors have evolved with the speed of technology, leaving governments largely powerless to address emerging threats, partly due to the lack of legal options to dissuade or deter malicious non-state actors. To adequately address the threat, the international community must form legally binding mechanisms to pursue non-state actors similar to the way the world rethought terrorism after 9/11. This thesis rejects a proposed dispute-mitigation recommendation now under consideration by international negotiators--the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, leveraging the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime as its framework--and explores an alternative approach for the international governance of the cyber domain, with due mechanisms established to address the ongoing threat of malicious non-state actors. Numerous stakeholders influence cyber strategies in the U.S. and internationally; therefore, a one-system entity is an ineffective regulatory mechanism. Rather, it should be multi-pronged, multilateral, and comprise a unified approach that includes the UN, NATO, INTERPOL, as well as sanctioned unilateral state processes to achieve optimal outcomes. The Paris Climate Agreement should be referenced as a model for success in garnering support for this governance initiative, utilizing the UN to define the space and develop a clear, well-defined framework leveraging the Budapest Convention and the Tallinn Manual 2.0 encapsulated in an amendable treaty."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Francis, Jaclyn L.

  2020-06
• Overcoming Implementation Barriers Within the Fire Service to Reduce Firefighter Cancer Rates

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths within the United States fire service. This epidemic claims the lives of hundreds of firefighters each year, even though the fire service has developed best practices to prevent occupational cancers. This thesis identifies seven barriers that are preventing fire departments from implementing best practices: fire department culture, firefighters' ignorance of the disease and prevention methods, complacency caused by cancer's long latency periods, funding, pathways to compliance with national and departmental policies, groupthink, and motivation. To explain how fire departments can overcome these barriers, this thesis examines the health and safety efforts that two departments have taken and reviews literature from other fire departments, national fire service organizations, subject-matter experts, researchers, and academic studies. This research shows that when fire departments provide their members with the proper tools, training, education, and awareness, they can rise to the occasion and implement best practices to prevent occupation-related cancer."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Haseney, John J.

  2020-06
• Increasing Local Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capacity by Building from Within the Current Infrastructure

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "State and local public health departments are losing the ability to respond to and protect the community from public health threats. Increase to public health funding follows after an identified threat because current capacity cannot absorb a new mission. Given the decrease in federal funding and subsequent loss of response capacity, how can local public health reconfigure its organizational structure or find alternate sources of funding to maintain or increase current response capacity? This thesis traces the growth of public health from a single program to today's U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting state and local health departments through federal grant funds. Using case studies and comparing federal grant awards to the structures of state and local departments, this thesis reveals how reliance on federal funding affects the organization of public health. The research demonstrates the direct correlation between the current structure and a century of funding one program per threat. Reliance on federal grants imperils the United States public health system because state and local departments must reorganize in order to sustain ongoing public health missions. The conclusion includes four recommendations that may improve the overall public health network by modifying funding to a more inclusive process, changing the type of federal grants, restructuring to support larger domains, and increasing state and local budgets to support response capacity."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Castle, Marcus A.

  2020-06
• Social Network Analysis: Enhancing Threat Assessments for Targeted Violence

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "This research applies social network analysis and social identity theory to threat assessment investigations of subjects who commit acts of targeted violence. It provides a framework for understanding the expanding threat of targeted violence and its impact on U.S. homeland security. Statistics on targeted violence in the United States show that incidents are increasing in both frequency and lethality. Traditional studies of targeted violence have focused heavily on the mental state of the 'lone' perpetrator without fully examining the role of social influences. This research incorporates case studies intended to offer insight, increase understanding, and suggest new methods of enhancing the current field of threat assessment for targeted violence cases. The findings of this research recommend new strategies for conducting targeted violence threat assessment investigations utilizing the application of social network analysis and social identity theory. Through an examination of previous targeted violent actors, this research establishes that understanding relevant social conditions can contribute significant clues about an individual's risk of entering a pathway to violence. These clues can be mapped and followed over a period of time to reveal a social withdrawal and loss of restraining relationships."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Vogt, Darren J.

  2020-06
• Port Security Grant Program: Good Enough, or Can It Be Made Better

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  From the thesis abstract: "For almost a decade and a half since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Port Security Grant Program [PSGP] has provided funding to project proposals for improving the security and resiliency posture of the nation's ports and waterways. The United States has over 360 coastal and inland ports through which over $1.3 trillion in cargo moves annually; a safe, secure, and efficient MTS [Marine Transportation System] is critical to national security. The PSGP is intended to enhance port security and resiliency by funding proposals to provide increased risk management, measures to mitigate disruptions and facilitate port recovery, and maritime domain awareness (MDA) capabilities to prevent, respond to, and recover from attacks. The PSGP has matured to include funding for all-hazards threatening the ports-natural, accidental, and intentional. This thesis seeks to evaluate how well the PSGP has met those goals and if it should be improved, reorganized or eliminated."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Arnett, Paul D. J.

  2016-06
• No Nation is Home Alone: Understanding the International Dimension of Homeland Security Through Global Transportation Security Programs

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  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
• Eliminating the Lost Time Interval of Law Enforcement to Active Shooter Events in Schools

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  From the thesis abstract: "The Newtown Connecticut school attack at the Sandy Hook elementary school on December 14, 2012, was another example of the tragedy of mass murder. When a targeted attack occurs, the victims must await the arrival of law enforcement personnel to address the threat and stop the loss; this lost time interval results in extending the duration of a targeted attack until police can resist an attacker. In the absence of onsite personnel trained to resist an attacker, such as a school resource officer, students and staff are at the mercy of an attacker. This thesis asked the question: Can existing resources be leveraged to increase available capacities in actively resisting an active shooter in a targeted school attack to eliminate or reduce the lost time interval of law enforcement during an attack on an American school especially in low resource areas, such as rural and/or isolated communities. Case studies were completed to identify opportunities to reduce the loss incurred in these attacks with an emphasis on reducing the duration of an incident when prevention measures had failed. The value of collaboration and necessity to leverage resources in the public safety sector is well researched and critical resources with the capacity to operate in an offensive posture are available through planning and preparedness. Relationships can be developed between different domains and disciplines within a community to create a multidisciplinary environment of safety with the capacity to prevent or reduce loss through violence. Through these relationships, a culture can be created that combines strategies and tactics for prevention, as well as a response to these tragedies. A culture of security can replace vulnerability and result in a greater level of confidence in the ability to keep this nation's schools safer."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Ausdemore, Steve E.

  2015-09
• Intelligence-Driven Border Security: A Promethean View of U.S. Border Patrol Intelligence Operations

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  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
• Public Safety Communications Centers: Are We Prepared for the New Technologies Coming Our Way?

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  From the thesis abstract: "This thesis explores the impact of rapidly evolving emerging technologies on public safety communications centers. It is intended to further the discussion on whether the public safety community is prepared for these new technologies, which will likely become commonplace over the next several years, and how to prepare to integrate those technologies into existing structures. Through the use of a nominal group technique and cross-impact analysis, this thesis utilized a pre-collected data set concerning the risks, structure, governance, policy and external influences associated with public safety communications centers in light of emerging technological advancements to determine what trends and events were of the greatest concerns to those actively involved in the leadership of public safety communications centers, development of emerging technologies, and implementation of governance models used by the various agencies. Those findings were analyzed and strategies were identified to allow for successful mitigation of the most statistically significant risks. Ultimately, this thesis determined that through visionary leadership, effective strategic planning and mitigation of risk, public safety agencies could position themselves for successful implementation of emerging technologies with their communications centers."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Shaw, Marc R.

  2014-03
• How LAFD CERT May Be Understood as a Smart Practice: How It Is Pioneering a Transition to Whole Community CERT and How It Can Serve as the Template for CERT Programs Nationally?

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  From the thesis abstract: "In 1987, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) established the first Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Program in the United States as a framework for organizing citizens to be more prepared. Using an appreciative inquiry approach, this thesis investigated how LAFD CERT can be understood as a smart practice and how successes might assist other agencies in constructing successful CERT programs within their jurisdictions. The conclusions are that through collaborative efforts with agencies within a city, expanding the outreach of CERT can be instrumental in achieving a more robust trained citizenry. Focusing on community resiliency and whole community concepts, LAFD CERT and others like it will be better equipped to assist as assets in the homeland security enterprise."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Gerlich, Stacy E.

  2014-06
• Assessing Resilience: How Plans, Strategies and After Action Reports Can Improve Our Understanding of Organizational Preparedness

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  From the thesis abstract: "Resilience has emerged as a prominent term throughout homeland security and emergency preparedness doctrine. The National Preparedness Goal, the United States Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) guiding strategic document, defines success as 'having a secure and resilient Nation.' The homeland security enterprise is promoting resilience, yet there is little literature on resilience at the organizational level in public safety agencies--organizations that are key to the homeland security enterprise. This thesis sought to answer two questions: First, how can existing public safety doctrine contribute to an understanding of the organizational resilience of public safety agencies? Second, how can after action reports (AARs) and their resultant learning process contribute to an understanding of adaptive capacity? To answer the research questions, this thesis applied New Zealand's resilience management framework to public safety agency doctrine. The research found that public safety agencies are engaged in activities that contribute to understanding their organizational resilience. It also found that the New Zealand framework can provide a working construct for understanding resilience within U.S. public safety agencies. Recommendations include standardizing AARs with federal guidance and making them publicly available to further contribute to understanding organizational resilience."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Nussbaum, Melissa

  2016-09
• New York City's First Responders: Enhancing Collaboration Between NYPD and FDNY

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  From the thesis abstract: "In a post-9/11 world, cooperation among first-responders in New York City is absolutely essential for maintaining public safety. Although more than a decade has passed since 9/11, inter-agency communication between the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) is still far from perfect. This paper examines the inter-agency cooperation changes made since 9/11, not only between the NYPD and the FDNY, but all agencies in state of New York charged with public safety. I also consider which approaches have worked to foster inter-agency cooperation, including the use of fusion centers, central agencies charged with coordinating emergency responses (such as the New York City Office of Emergency Management), and structured protocols like the Citywide Incident Management System that clearly delineate the roll of each agency at the scene of an emergency. Finally, I examine potential approaches that have not been implemented but could prove fruitful, and I make recommendations on what approaches should be taken in order to foster greater inter-agency cooperation."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Harrington, Michael J.

  2014-12
• Information Sharing from 9-1-1 Centers

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  From the thesis abstract: "Public safety first responders deal with life and death emergencies, natural disasters, school shootings, trauma created by lone shooters and major events, yet have not enabled members from the private sector, business owners, school administrators, and other public safety stakeholders to participate fully in the mitigation or prevention of these events. At no time in this nation's history is the public more attuned to the potential threats in the homeland, and simultaneously, willing, wanting, and able to be part of the solution. This thesis outlines proactive case studies that demonstrate the ability to share public-safety sensitive and law enforcement information in a safe, secure, and timely method with those who can help first responders make a difference and keep this country's communities safer."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Simpson, Carl P.

  2014-09
• Ensuring the End Game: Facilitating the Use of Classified Evidence in the Prosecution of Terrorist Subjects

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  "The advancement and access of technology by terrorism subjects who plan and operate from under-governed or lawless lands has forced the U.S. to consider the demands the international threat environment places upon its security. More importantly is how the U.S. will adapt to meet these threats, prevent attacks and convict those who mean to do the nation harm. This thesis contends the modern day terrorism threat falls within the seams of the military, intelligence and law enforcement disciplines. The threat requires the fusion of these elements of national power to prevent attacks, collect vital intelligence and facilitate the use of key evidence to achieve substantive convictions. In order to achieve convictions the need for damming evidence is essential. However, with the fusion of the military, intelligence and law enforcement disciplines comes the problem of utilizing classified information as evidence to achieve end game convictions of capture terrorist subjects. The recommendations in this thesis can facilitate the use of classified intelligence as evidence by establishing a legal U.S. preventative detention system, a full and permanent integration of FBI personnel with SOCOM assets and establishing NCTC as a central planning and coordinating organization with the authority to direct counterterrorism operations."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Grave de Peralta, Ricardo

  2010-03
• Changing the Paradigm: Implementation of Combined Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Cross-Disciplinary Response to Hostile Events

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  From the thesis abstract: "Our nation relies on law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services to protect citizens when confronted with emergent and hostile events. Mass shootings such as those that occurred at Columbine High School; Virginia Tech University; Mumbai, India; and Aurora Movie Theatre in Colorado require first responders to incorporate methods and tactics that integrate operations and challenge first responders to collaborate and operate in a unified manner. This research examines how public safety agencies can effectively implement a first responder cross-disciplinary plan to better coordinate police, fire, and EMS [Emergency Medical Service] responses. This study begins with a historical review of past incidents that demonstrate the need for cross-disciplinary teams. Next, new policies that support the use of cross-disciplinary teams are examined. Central to this research was an empirical study of the enablers and barriers to cross-disciplinary teams during a full-scale active shooter exercise. Illustrative findings among the participants in the exercise include a moderately high level of confidence in the concept and use of cross-disciplinary teams, the ability of various disciplines to trust each other's ability to work together, and the ability to communicate and share information. To establish and enhance the cross-disciplinary response, joint operational policies and procedures must be established."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Johnson, Keith H.

  2014-12
• Integration of Counter-terrorism into the DNA of American Policing

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  From the thesis abstract: "The central theme of this thesis is how local law enforcement (LE) can integrate counterterrorism (CT) into its traditional mission. The basis of this research is that local LE is well positioned to be significant contributors and can use its existing strengths in a CT role to enhance homeland security (HS). In the 13 years since September 11, 2001, it is unknown to what extent CT has been fully embraced by local LE. This question is not easy to answer, as it is not easily quantifiable; this level of LE comprises nearly 18,000 individual agencies. This thesis asserts that doing nothing is unacceptable and argues that integration is an important part of securing the homeland. This thesis proposes the development of a conceptual prescriptive model known as L.E.A.D, leadership, education and training, actively gather intelligence and detect terrorists. L.E.A.D asserts that HS starts with hometown security, which begins by individual local LE agencies leading the way toward the integration of CT into their existing missions."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  O'Kleasky, John A., Jr.

  2014-12
• From Third-Degree to Third-Generation Interrogation Methodologies: Putting Science into the Art of Criminal Interviewing

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  From the thesis abstract: "The interviewing strategies of the American law-enforcement system are more than seventy-five years old. Psychologically manipulative and guilt-presumptive, these methodologies replaced the brutal 'third-degree' interrogation tactics of the previous century, but have recently come under scrutiny for being both ethically and operationally unsound. These findings have prompted a paradigm shift toward more ethical, effective, and scientifically validated tactics. This thesis set out to explore the advantages of integrating next-generation practices into the interview-training ethos of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)--the internal affairs component of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An evaluation of evidence-based interrogation practices and governmental policy analyses, along with insight from subject-matter experts, provided the data for this exploration. A series of recommendations derived from the lessons learned of the U.K. PEACE model, the practices of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and research by the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group offered insight for the optimal training of interviewing techniques and their long-term retention in the field. Assuming the recommendations for OPR are both scalable and replicable, this model should be relevant and valuable for the professional practices of other DHS agencies responsible for conducting interrogations as well as for law-enforcement agencies nationwide."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  O'Neill, Desmond S.

  2017-03
• Police Self-Deployment at Critical Incidents: A Wicked Problem or a Part of the Solution?

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  From the thesis abstract: "incidents, is alternately condemned or hailed as heroism. Confined to response narratives in after-action reports, existing literature provides no comprehensive definition. Without clear principles, it is challenging to prevent the problems produced by self-deployment such as traffic congestion and diminished command and control; nevertheless, encouraging the ingenuity and initiative leading to heroic and lifesaving acts is equally difficult. Many of the descriptions of police self-deployment match characteristics of wicked problems, as proposed by Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber. Using a case study analysis of police responses to the 2013 Christopher Dorner manhunt and 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, this thesis explored police self-deployment through the lens of wicked problems. A better understanding of the definition resulted in policy and training recommendations, including the suggestions that law enforcement embrace, rather than prohibit, self-deployment and that federally mandated incident command policies incorporate the early minutes of a critical event known as the 'edge of chaos.'"

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Brookes, Anna C.

  2017-09
• Beyond Measure: New Approaches to Analyzing Congressional Oversight of Homeland Security

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  From the thesis abstract: "This paper will explore the implications of congressional oversight of homeland security, specifically the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Oversight of DHS has been extensively researched since the 9/11 Commission recommended that it be reformed. This thesis argues that much of the previous research into this topic relied on a limited view of oversight and used a limited set of tools to measure it. This thesis reviews the existing literature on homeland security oversight and offers alternative ways of measuring oversight. It conducts two case studies to establish a more complete view of homeland security oversight. Then, it quantitatively analyzes legislative data and offers a new approach to using agency interactions to provide a more meaningful picture of homeland security oversight. Finally, the thesis offers recommendations based on the conclusions of the research to achieve optimal congressional oversight of homeland security."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  O'Leary, David P.

  2015-03
• Reducing Homeland Insecurities: Ending Abuse of the Asylum and Credible Fear Program

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  From the thesis abstract: "This thesis investigates gaps in the credible fear process within the asylum context and provides recommendations for improving the process. As the number of individuals who file credible fear and asylum applications rises, the specter of individuals filing meritless applications increases. Applications for protection filed by criminals, terrorists, and opportunists threaten U.S. national security and public safety, and weaken the integrity of the nation's asylum system. This thesis explores how the flaws in the asylum and credible fear process should be addressed to minimize fraud and abuse in the system. The findings of this thesis are that frivolous applications are being filed, and that criminals and terrorists are gaming the system. The research also concludes that current safeguards insufficiently protect the nation after an individual's asylum approval. The author recommends the formation of an Asylum Review Board to provide additional layers of protection after an individual's asylum claim is approved."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Freudenthal, Anja

  2015-03
• Killing Barney Fife: Law Enforcement's Socially Constructed Perception of Violence and Its Influence on Police Militarization

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  From the thesis abstract: "Police militarization is a complex subject with significant homeland security implications. Efforts to implement militarization reform without a clear understanding of the issue could negatively impact law enforcement's ability to respond to emerging threats from terrorism, homegrown violent extremism, and armed criminals. Conversely, unfettered militarization of domestic policing could result in abuse of authority and loss of public confidence. This thesis proposes a nuanced definition of police militarization based on existing literature. The research then examines the correlation between violence and police militarization. A statistical analysis of crime data found an inverse relationship between levels of reported violence and militarization. However, the research discovered a strong nexus between perceptions of violence by the police and efforts to militarize. Social identity theory was used to explain why isolated acts of violence against police officers are perceived as attacks on the law enforcement community and lead to deep social divisions between the police and the public. This socially constructed reality of violence, which is reinforced by the media and training, has a powerful effect on police attitudes and behavior. The conclusion is that police militarization has been influenced by violence, and appropriate levels of militarized capabilities are needed to protect both the police and the public."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Hanley, Matthew D.

  2015-09
• Stemming the Growth: Exploring the Risk Factors in Group Membership in Domestic Street Gangs and Foreign Terrorist Organizations

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  From the thesis abstract: "Despite law enforcement's best efforts, terrorist groups are expanding at alarming rates. One of the easiest ways to prevent terrorist attacks is to prevent individuals from joining terrorist organizations. Counter-terrorism programs that effectively reduce membership, reduce association and increase desistance to terror groups will undoubtedly reduce terror incidents. This research identifies risk factors that greatly influence an individual's decision to join a terrorist group; policy makers can use this information to design new policies aimed at prevention and intervention. If the U.S. government is looking for community-oriented solutions to criminal groups, it need look no further than the study of domestic street gangs. There is vast research into theories, strategies and programs that policy makers can reference. Because these models already exist for street gangs, the government need not waste time developing new strategies from scratch. This research discovered the group dynamic and processes that exist for street gangs exits similarly for terrorist organizations. It is the hope that this research lends new direction to the developing policies and de-radicalization strategies that are currently underway."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Dooley, Daniel A.

  2015-09
• Friending Brandeis: Privacy and Government Surveillance in the Era of Social Media

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  From the thesis abstract: "Today, individuals network and interact with each other in radically different ways by using social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Utilizing this new media, individuals are able to share intimate details of their lives, coordinate activities, and exchange ideas with friends, family and others in ways previously accomplished only in person, by telephone, or in written letters stored at home. At the same time, terrorist organizations and other criminal actors are increasingly utilizing social networking sites, for both recruiting purposes and for the planning, financing, and execution of nefarious acts. As such, social networks have become a valuable source of intelligence for the law enforcement and intelligence communities that enable the collection of information pertaining to individuals in ways not previously possible. However, the law pertaining to surveillance in cyberspace has failed to keep pace with society's adoption of social networking and other cloud computing technologies. This thesis examines the privacy and civil liberties safeguards inherent in the Fourth Amendment and the need to ensure that an appropriate balance is struck between an individual's reasonable expectation of privacy in online communications and the government's information gathering requirements necessary to combat emerging criminal and terrorist threats."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Gaffin, Elizabeth S.

  2012-06
• Maximizing Intelligence Sharing Within the Los Angeles Police Department

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  From the thesis abstract: "After the terrorists' attacks in New York, law enforcement agencies at all levels find themselves grappling with their additional responsibilities now that homeland security is tantamount, along with the war on drugs and gangs still being a constant struggle. From the time of the attacks to the present day, most agencies are doing more work with less people; there is no funding, equipment, or new officers to replace the ones retiring. Officers everywhere are not only overwhelmed, but, more critically, they are under-estimated and under-trained. As a result of the attacks, officers are adding homeland security strategies into their existing crime prevention measures. This thesis will suggest ways in which one agency, the Los Angeles Police Department, can maximize its resources, training and equipment, thus capitalizing on the intelligence needed to be a leader in the identification of, prevention of and response to a terrorist attack."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Angeles, Tracey

  2013-09
• Crowds As Complex Adaptive Systems: Strategic Implications for Law Enforcement

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  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
• Beating the Red Gold Rush: Copper Theft and Homeland Security

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  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
• Crime-Terrorism Nexus, and the Threat to U.S. Homeland Security

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  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