Advanced search Help
Publisher is Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Local Jurisdictions and Active Shooters: Building Networks, Building Capacities
From the thesis abstract: "The emerging threat of terrorism, specifically small unit active shooter attacks, is a concern for American law enforcement agencies. Events like Mumbai (November 26, 2008) and Beslan (September 1, 2004) demonstrate the vulnerability of local law enforcement officers in defending against multiple attackers and multiple locations. Smaller jurisdictions (populations less than 100,000 people) are challenged with administrative and operational capacities considerably more than larger jurisdictions. Therefore, smaller agencies must find ways to enhance their capacities within tightening budgetary constraints. To investigate this problem and find workable solutions, qualitative research methods of case studies and interviews were employed. Specifically, Mumbai, Beslan and two high-profile United States incidents (Columbine High School shooting (April 20, 1999) and North Hollywood Bank shoot out (February 28, 1997) were studied. Individuals from the U.S. cases were interviewed to explore information not necessarily documented. Data from the case studies and interviews were collated and reviewed for common themes. These themes were analyzed to draw conclusions on how smaller jurisdictions should proceed in building capacities to deal with active shooter scenarios. Findings suggest that smaller jurisdictions can build capacities by creating a megacommunity within local law enforcement. This includes developing systems to share smart practices, training for small unit attacks, and creating multi-jurisdictional interoperability standards."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Frazzano, Tracy L.
2010-12
-
Social Media Integration into State-Operated Fusion Centers and Local Law Enforcement: Potential Uses and Challenges
From the thesis abstract: "The push by the Obama administration for a more transparent, citizen-centric government has created a new way of thinking among federal, state, and local governments: citizen participation has become a mainstay of newly written policies across the country. The adoption of Web 2.0 technologies, particularly social media, within fusion centers and local law enforcement entities could enable a more expedient exchange of information among fusion centers, law enforcement, and the public. The ability to collect and disseminate information on a real-time basis via fusion centers and law enforcement is key to the overall success of the homeland security mission; it is impossible for the federal government to have sole responsibility for safeguarding the homeland from the confines of Washington, D.C. Because fusion centers and law enforcement agencies are state and local entities, they have the capability to obtain information at a grassroots level and have the advantage of knowing the local environment, including potential targets and vulnerabilities. Social media, if leveraged appropriately, could enhance communication among fusion centers, law enforcement, and private citizens to better detect and deter terrorism. This research explores potential benefits and implementation challenges of integrating social media into fusion center and local law enforcement frameworks."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Fresenko, Victoria L.
2010-12
-
Managing the Aviation Insider Threat
"Despite enhancements to aviation security since September 11, 2001, there remain vulnerabilities from employees at airports. This threat results from airline/airport employees that have access to sensitive and restricted areas during the normal course of their required duties. This thesis evaluates the threat and the measures in place to prevent attacks from aviation insiders. In addition, it evaluates a measure commonly referred to as 100 percent employee screening. Finally, the thesis derives recommendations to enhance the current methods to reduce the vulnerability, as well as proposes additional measures to further reduce the threat from aviation insiders."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Black, Alan
2010-12
-
Fear Factors In: Political Rhetoric, Threat Inflation, and the Narrative of September 11
From the thesis abstract: "The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon transformed the way the nation views homeland security and terrorism. It changed the priorities of the nation. The current frame of reference on terrorism, national security, and fear of future attacks were informed by political remarks and speeches made in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Political rhetoric that defined the terrorist attacks as acts of war laid the foundation for a period of public insecurity and vulnerability to the threat of terrorism in the homeland and provided justifications for counterterrorism legislation that impinged individual freedoms and civil rights. The purpose of this research is to analyze political rhetoric in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks, to determine whether political rhetoric contributed to threat inflation, public fear, and misperception of the security threats faced by the American public. An examination of the divergent scholarly perspectives on the role of political rhetoric on public perception, emotion, and reaction is performed to uncover mechanisms that impacted critical assessment, minimized debate of policy alternatives, and fostered public fear. The study exposes the characteristics of political rhetoric and the discursive devices employed in response to the terrorist attacks, which influenced public threat perception and fear. It argues that the rhetorical choices, which emphasized fear, were part of the mechanics for threat inflation seen in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Atmore, Lorna Y.
2014-12
-
National Network of Fusion Centers: Perception and Reality
From the thesis abstract: "The National Network of Fusion Centers (the Network) is one of many organizational efforts the nation has undergone to help bolster its counterterrorism prevention and response efforts. Since its creation in the years following the 9/11 attacks, the Network has garnered both accolades and criticisms, resulting in an uneven opinion about fusion center functions and performance. The diverse opinions that are held of the Network appear at times to be based on perceptions incongruent with some of the realities of current Network operations and which lead to an undervaluation of its contributions. This research examined the points of opposition between supporters and critics of the Network and identified strategies employed by the Network to mitigate areas of concern, in order to define the relationship or gap between actual performance and the perception of performance of the Network held by external (to the Network) parties. This research employed a modified version of the multi-goal policy analysis method as a guide for the conduct of analysis. This study recommends a recalibration of these perceptions."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Klem, Nicholas
2014-12
