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Institutionalizing Resilience: Catastrophic Power Outage Planning for Correctional Institutions
From the thesis Abstract: "The Federal Emergency Management Agency has invested several years of planning into preparations for long-term power outages in the United States. However, planning for correctional institutions has been missing from most power-outage plans. Therefore, individual jails and prison systems are responsible for building resilient organizations from within. It is unlikely that the United States will require correctional institutions to comply with guidance for federal emergency planning mandates. This thesis focuses on the effects of emergencies in correctional institutions that experienced extended power outages. The research analyzed the emergency planning and response efforts of two significant events and evaluated the impacts on the staff, inmates, and other stakeholders. This thesis found that a failure to prioritize emergency planning in these correctional institutions was the catalyst to poor responses with adverse consequences. Systemic failures in planning for emergencies created the greatest challenges for the institutions. This thesis supports the idea that correctional institutions should consider implementing the behaviors of high-reliability organizations to build resilient institutions in advance of future emergencies. Using the framework that guides high-reliability organizations, correctional institutions should focus on planning for disasters and mitigating failures to improve their response to the most catastrophic of disasters."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kohler, Shena J.
2022-03
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Missing an Opportunity: Non-Traditional Responders and Active Shooter Response
From the thesis Abstract: "With the rising threat of active shooters, armed off-duty and retired law enforcement officers may prove to be an effective tool in American homeland security. Yet, while the number of active shooter and critical incidents in the United States have continued to rise, the number of non-traditional response interventions has remained minimal. Unfortunately, the presence of armed, off-duty law enforcement officers can create other problems, often referred to as blue-on-blue encounters. This thesis examines the questions: Can tools such as Hero911 mitigate some of the major risks associated with self-dispatch? How can off-duty or plainclothes officers be best incorporated into active shooter response? Finally, what processes can make utilization of non-traditional responders safer for all? This thesis concludes that over the past 20 years of active shooter responses, first responders have missed an opportunity with respect to the use of non-traditional responders. On- or off-duty non-traditional responders serve as a force multiplier, which widens the pool of available responders. Use of any technology is not without risks, and to avoid more confusion during an active shooter event, training is paramount. Properly used, tools such as Hero911 can reduce the risks involved in non-traditional officer response."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Lesher, Nathaniel M.
2022-03
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Ready for the Home Game? The Surface Navy and Homeland Defense
From the thesis Abstract: "Strategically, it will always be preferable for the United States to fight 'out there' where the conflict isfar away from the homeland. But, as the Russian and Chinese navies continue to develop longer-range capabilities and other threats toward the U.S. homeland grow, it is crucial to examine how well the surface Navy is prepared to defend the homeland. Given both the emerging threats from peer competitors, such as Russia and China, and the surface Navy's prioritization of forces abroad, this thesis asks whether the surface Navy is adequately prepared to defend against such future threats to the American homeland. Through a qualitative analysis of relevant literature, this thesis concludes that the American homeland will be targeted by peer competitors during a future crisis or conflict. Based on credible threats to the homeland, the Navy will have to balance appropriately on prioritizing and allocating forces abroad and at home. The Navy will have to break away from the traditional maritime strategy of primarily only fighting abroad, and it will need to provide assistance to enhance a layered defense approach to effectively defend the homeland in the future. Thus, this thesis recommends establishing a national combined maritime and aerospace defense command to ensure that air, land, and sea forces are prioritized and allocated appropriately for the defense of the American homeland during crisis or conflict in the future."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Miller, Joshua C.
2022-03
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Naturalization Through Military Service
From the thesis Abstract: "This thesis analyzes the accelerated process for immigrants to become naturalized citizens in the United States and the arguments made for and against the allowance of the process and having immigrants serve in the U.S. military. Immigrants have been serving in the U.S. armed forces since the Revolutionary War and have had an expedited pathway to citizenship since 1952, when the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952 established guidelines to the process. The Trump administration enacted policy changes that impacted the ability of the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program to recruit service members and the ability for members to be naturalized. This thesis explores the history of changes made to the immigration and naturalization policy and how that has influenced the policy in place today. The standard and accelerated policies are described as well as the goals of the MAVNI program. The discussion continues into the main arguments made for the allowance of immigrants to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and those against, as well as recommendations for the path forward with allowing immigrants to serve in the armed forces and the continued use of the process for naturalization through military service."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Damon, Samantha L.
2022-03
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Connecting the Dots of an Opaque Crime: Analyzing the Information-Sharing Framework and Practices of California's Human-Trafficking Task Forces
From the thesis Abstract: "This thesis explores existing frameworks and common challenges with information sharing among California's anti-human trafficking specialty units. This research aimed to contextualize current gaps and barriers in the collection and dissemination process of sensitive and confidential human-trafficking information. The research identified social, economic, and human interpersonal factors affecting group work and illustrated how a nuanced application of the social identity analytical method might decrease interpersonal misunderstandings and miscommunications, thus increasing the volume and quantity of anti-trafficking information sharing. The findings of this research indicate that when anti-trafficking specialty units do not work together seamlessly, they foster programmatic and societal shadows that traffickers rely on to exploit their victims. Gaining an in-depth perspective on working group members' social identities will increase trust within the groups, thereby promoting cooperation, coordination, and collaboration. Elevating all forms of group work is likely to spur analytical insights into the evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures of the threat actors, not to mention identify previously unrecognized victims while building more successful prosecutions."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Greer, Benjamin Thomas
2022-03
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Conflicts and Common Ground: The Fiscal Relationship Between FEMA, States, and Local Governments
From the thesis Abstract: "All communities need to know what to do during an emergency. Developed with the help of federal grant dollars, emergency management programs have advanced public safety capabilities throughout the country, across federal, state, and local boundaries. However, the disparity in state-level funding contributions is concerning given the critical role of emergency management in helping communities during emergencies and disasters. How should emergency management be funded at the state level? This thesis examines the fiscal relationship between federal, state, and local governments to help advance the discussion about how emergency management should be funded at the state level. After analyzing the research materials and supporting documentation, the review presents alternative perspectives from each level of government to demonstrate the potential outcomes and conflicting trade-offs. An assessment of the research led to suggestions on how to balance the alternative perspectives, which appear to compete in some respects but also share some common ground. The final evaluation includes recommendations for states determined to be potentially vulnerable based on the results of the data analysis, which show that some states invest much more than their federal funding allocation while others spend considerably less, thus relying heavily on federal funds. It concludes with a summary of the purpose for this research and its importance in the emergency management enterprise."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Luna, Justin
2022-03
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To Detain or Not to Detain: The Legal, Financial, and Humanitarian Ramifications of Detaining All Migrants Without a Lawful Status
From the thesis Abstract: "This thesis analyzes the implications--legal, financial, and humanitarian--arising from immigrant detention in the United States. The methods used are as follows: legal analysis, both international and domestic; cost analysis of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities and private prisons; and comparative analysis of actual immigrant detention conditions to international norms and ICE's self-imposed standards. This thesis finds the following: immigrant detention is legal in the United States with limited constitutional protections; the financial costs for immigrant detention are difficult to estimate accurately; U.S. immigrant detention practices appear to violate international norms; and ICE's self-imposed standards are hard to meet. This thesis concludes policies that more clearly define the requirements for immigrant detention in the United States should be limited in use and scope. Furthermore, the U.S. government should either implement new laws and regulations or modify existing ones to establish a more consistent standard regarding which migrants without a lawful status should be detained pending criminal or administrative proceedings."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Davis, Valerie A.
2021-12
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Electromagnetic Threat to the United States: Recommendations for Consequence Management
From the thesis Abstract: "This thesis analyzes the threat of both electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. EMP/GMD events are classified as low-probability/high-impact events that have potential catastrophic consequences to all levels of government as well as the civilian population of the United States. By reviewing current literature and conducting two thought experiments, this thesis determined that various critical infrastructure sectors and modern society are at risk of the effects of EMP/GMD events. Some of the most serious consequences of a large-scale EMP/GMD event include long-term power loss to large geographic regions, loss of modern medical services, and severe communication blackouts that could make recovery from these events extremely difficult. In an attempt to counteract and mitigate the risks of EMP/GMD events, resilience engineering concepts introduced several recommendations that could be utilized by policymakers to mitigate the effects of EMP or GMD events. Some of the recommendations include utilizing hardened micro-grid systems, black start options, and various changes to government agency organizations that would provide additional resilience and recovery to American critical infrastructure systems in a post-EMP/GMD environment."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Averitt, Samuel E.
2021-12
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How Can the Balanced Scorecard Develop a Leadership Development Program for the FBI?
From the thesis Abstract: "Superior performance with long-lasting effects is the hallmark of a thriving organization. The success orfailure of any organization hinges on its leaders to make the correct decisions at the correct time. As an organization grows in size and diversity, leadership must look both horizontally and vertically to ensure that the mission is completed. The leadership of any successful organization must be able to rely on its executive level management, its subordinates, as well as those in positions of authority who are similar in nature. This research paper examines the use of Kaplan and Norton's balanced scorecard as a conceptual model to evaluate the Federal Bureau of Investigation's performance. The paper explores the balanced scorecard's identified deficits, discusses the potential reasons for the deficiencies, and makes recommendations on potential ways to address these shortcomings."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Dijoseph, Jason
2021-12
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Finding Safety in Numbers: Exploring the Possibilities of Terrorism Consequence Models as Public Safety Planning Tools
From the thesis Abstract: "Special events and mass gatherings present significant vulnerabilities across the United States and remain attractive targets for violent extremists. This study contends that a more realistic understanding of their human consequences (i.e., civilians killed or wounded) can help inform the deployment of limited resources and personnel to mitigate the potential consequences. Specifically, this thesis investigates how predictive analysis models could be developed, vetted, and implemented as public safety planning tools. The study examines the relationship between the crowd size and the killed or wounded rates of common terrorism attack types. When a relationship exists, the research explores how that relationship can be expressed as a mathematical model that predicts future lethality. The relationship between the crowd size, killed or wounded, and attack type is examined using regression analysis. Of the five attack types reviewed, only two yielded enough data for this level of statistical analysis. The results show a mostly weak relationship, which suggests that overall crowd size holds little influence over the total casualty rate. Instead, the weapon's effective range, crowd density, and ease of egress are recommended as future areas of continued study. This thesis also suggests continued research and development of probabilistic consequence models while identifying options for collaboration and implementation."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Ford, Ryan M.
2021-12
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Securing America's Humanitarian Mission: How Mobile Technology Can Enhance Refugee Vetting
From the thesis Abstract: "The security vetting of refugees proves problematic, as refugees are often without documents to verify their identity. However, refugees are often in possession of mobile devices that could serve as a proof of identity. If the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) implemented a mobile phone vetting program, it could assist in identifying nefarious actors while expediting the security vetting process. Three policy alternatives were analyzed for a mobile phone screening program in the USRAP: (1) maintain the status quo of applicants' mobile phones not being screened, (2) implement mandatory screening of all applicants' mobile phones, and (3) administer a threat-based targeted approach where only the phones of applicants whose cases have fraud and/or national security indicators are screened. The alternatives were evaluated by efficiency (time and cost), risk to national security, and ethical consideration. Ultimately, a threat-based targeted approach was determined to be the best policy alternative, as it optimized efficiency, minimized risk to national security, and limited arbitrariness of mobile phone screening."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kessinger, Gregory S.
2021-12
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Balas Y Barrios: An Analysis of U.S. Domestic and Regional Anti-Gang Policies from a Human Security Perspective
From the thesis Abstract: "Threats to human security from transnational organized crime (TOC) and gangs have increased since the 1990s in the Americas. The United States implemented the Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime, the U.S. Strategy to Combat the Threat of Criminal Gangs from Central America and Mexico, and the Mérida Initiative in response. This thesis employs a multi-goal policy to evaluate how effectively U.S. policy responses achieved desired outcomes. For comparison, this thesis analyzes the Canadian gang violence strategy, examining what has worked and what has not worked. Findings demonstrate that law enforcement tactics prioritized within the U.S. strategy result in outputs, but they fail to impact gang violence outcomes. Prevention programs, on the other hand, both in Canadian and U.S. strategies, are effective in reducing gang crime and violence but are under-resourced and undervalued in U.S. endeavors. This thesis proposes that a comprehensive approach is better aligned with current expert gang research and more effective in producing desired outcomes. Recommendations include funding the Juvenile Justice Reform Act and rebalancing Mérida funding to support United States Agency for International Development prevention programs; integrating federal, state, and local partnerships through a community coalition council through the Department of Justice; evaluating the Treasury's TOC designation status; and supporting complementary prevention and rehabilitation." A 10 minute and 47 second interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=866882].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Pfaffinger, Maximillian X.
2021-12
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Trusting Your Instruments: Leveraging Wearable Devices to Improve Pre-Operational Fatigue Assessment by U.S. Coast Guard Aircrews
From the Thesis Abstract: "Existing U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) aviation policies rely on crew members to self-diagnose their personal level of fatigue based on their perceived hours of sleep, with the only quantifiable factor at their disposal being their alleged hours of sleep. With the continued improvement in wearable technology, measurable data may be readily available for aircrew to make a more informed and accurate assessment of their preflight readiness. This study sought to identify the legal and social considerations affecting the implementation of wearable technology to assess crew fatigue in the USCG, and provide recommendations regarding how to incorporate these new technologies into preflight operation risk-assessment processes. The results of this study do not support an immediate investment in a full-scale USCG aviation wearables program. However, they do highlight the potential role that wearables might play in helping policymakers by quantifying the fatigue currently experienced by aircrew under existing policies and practices. Finally, the study identifies data privacy as a key potential barrier to wearable acceptance and recommends the unprecedented preemptive application of legal privilege to wearable data used by aircrew as part of risk-management process in order to encourage user acceptance."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Austin, Matthew S.
2021-09
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Fighting Bears and Trolls: An Analysis of Social Media Companies and U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Russian Influence Campaigns During the 2020 U.S. Elections
From the Thesis Abstract: "This thesis seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the Russian disinformation campaigns targeting the 2020 U.S. elections and the efforts taken by the U.S. government and social media companies to thwart them. To develop countermeasures for Russian interference activities targeting future American elections, this thesis asks the question: What impact did the countermeasures taken by the American social media companies and the U.S. government have on Russian social media influence campaigns targeting the 2020 U.S. elections? This thesis uses a framework developed by Thomas Wilhelm, a U.S. Army researcher, to evaluate Russian hybrid warfare, based on the principles of Andrei Kartapolov, a prominent Russian general. Accordingly, it is used to measure the qualitative impact of the Russian measures and American countermeasures during the 2020 U.S. elections. This thesis finds that the Russians shifted their tactics from 2016 to 2020. Still, the U.S. government and social media companies effectively impeded their influence campaigns primarily through information sharing and account takedowns, respectively. Because the Russians will continue their influence campaigns to undermine the United States, this thesis provides recommendations to include standardized information sharing and the establishment of a national coordination center."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Chan, Elvis M.
2021-09
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Are We There Yet? Exploring Professionalization of Emergency Management in the State of Maine
From the Thesis Abstract: "Practitioners and academics have discussed emergency management's status as a profession for decades. This thesis analyzes the degree of professionalization of emergency management in Maine and provides recommendations to improve it. Review of state legislation and key documents, coupled with interviews of emergency management leaders, contributed to an assessment of professionalization in Maine. Public-sector emergency managers completed a survey developed using Richard Hall's attitudinal attributes of a profession published in 'Professionalization and Bureaucratization' in the American Sociological Review in 1968. The survey's 92 responses highlighted high regard for professional organizations, support for continuing competence and a sense of calling to the work; however, responses on self-regulation, autonomy, sense of public service and professionalization in Maine indicate emergency management has not reached status as a profession yet. The presence of professional associations and the availability of training/schools of practice demonstrate growth in the profession, but full-time jobs, a code of ethics and legislation are lacking in Maine. This research continues the academic discussion on professionalization by providing recommendations to rural states to strengthen the profession of emergency management in order to meet future challenges in disaster response."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kaster, Emily E.
2021-09
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Law Enforcement Shootings in the United States: The Factors and Potential Solutions
From the Thesis Abstract: "The United States has more than 17,000 police agencies across the nation with more than 800,000 men and women serving in these agencies, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. These officers provide for the safety and security of the residents within their geographic areas of employment. While law enforcement's shooting of civilians is on the whole a rarity, the United States averages about 1,000 people killed annually by police departments across the country, based on research undertaken by The Washington Post, which compiles this annual data. This research sets out to first examine the factors that contribute to police-involved shootings across America in a general sense. Next, it examines case studies from across the country and their rates of police shootings to see how the contributing factors play a role in these localities. The research then analyzes police departments from decidedly Western nations through case studies to shed light on the practices of these departments and what, if anything, can be applied to the United States. This thesis concludes with generalized recommendations for possible changes in the United States and provides areas for future study based on the research."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kwo, Emmanuel
2021-09
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Leveraging DHS Assets: Potential for the Transportation Security Administration to Enhance U.S. Government Intelligence Capabilities
From the Thesis Abstract: "The threats facing America today are different from the threats on 9/11. The actions the United States took to defend against similar attacks were necessary; however, the increase in attacks by non-foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) requires agencies to evolve. This thesis explores how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can be leveraged to enhance the intelligence capabilities of the U.S. government. This thesis begins by identifying the threats facing America in 2021. Through a review of legislation, government sources, and scholarly work, this thesis presents the debate amongst sources on the threats America is facing and the role the U.S. government is taking to defeat the threats. This thesis lays out the TSA's current intelligence structure and the legislation in which the TSA operates against today's threats. Finally, this thesis provides the existing legal framework that allows the TSA to enhance its intelligence activity for U.S. national security. The findings reveal FTOs are no longer the number one threat. The research shows an increase in different threats to America, such as domestic terrorism, transnational organized crime, and espionage within the homeland. To confront these threats, the TSA must evolve to defend the U.S. transportation sector by enhancing its intelligence activity with the U.S. government. Further, this thesis shows current legislation provides a roadmap for the TSA to participate in additional intelligence activities."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Zeigler, Zachary D.
2021-09
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Early Recruitment in the Inner City: A Possible Answer to the Fire Service's Diversity Problem
From the Thesis Abstract: "The Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) and Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) created the Arsenal Technical High School (ATHS) Fire Rescue Program (FRP) for juniors and seniors in the heart of Indianapolis. The program's goals are multidimensional--community outreach, a pathway to a high school diploma, and a recruitment tool. For 10 years, however, the IFD has hired not a single program graduate. This research examines the IFD's history of recruitment, government-issued consent decree, and current demographics, comparing the department's diversity challenges to those in the workplace generally and in police recruitment. Given this context, this thesis defines the intended outcomes, critical problems, successes, and failures of the ATHS-FRP and offers a series of recommendations: incorporate other IPS schools into the program, create 'legacy spots' for children whose parents work for the IFD, develop an emergency medical technician class during the senior year, emphasize IFD 9-1-1 telecommunications as an available career path, add half a point to the scoring packets of program graduates in good standing, create a part-time civilian job with the IFD to bridge the gap between graduation and the minimum hiring age of 21, and possibly, relocate the program to the new IFD Training Facility."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wheeler, Rena
2021-09
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Securing Renewable Energy Through Public-Private Partnerships
From the Thesis Abstract: "While the utilization of electricity to support human needs is a staple of modern society, the organizations and legal frameworks underlying the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity differ across world regions. In the United States, diverse public and private entities are enmeshed throughout the power grid and work to maintain electrical security, i.e., a stable and continuous supply of electricity to customers in the presence of threats. This cooperative relationship appears to be effective given legacy systems and economic structures. However, the incorporation of renewable energy technologies presents a challenge given new system complexity, economic structures, and organizational relationships they create. This thesis assesses the existing organizational structures and relationships that form between public and private electric power entities in the United States and their efficacy for ensuring electrical security given high penetration of renewable energy. Despite gaps in the partnership structure and a lack of renewable energy inclusion in federal electrical security policy, this thesis suggests that renewable energy security can be achieved with existing partnership structures. Future partnerships must continue to leverage information sharing, funding, and reform from lessons learned to successfully navigate future security challenges."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Holleman, Christian H.
2021-09
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Administrative Trinity: A Value Based Solution to Police Reform in the United States
From the Thesis Abstract: "Current calls for police reform consistently focus on three areas: a lack of effective policy, over-inflated budgets, and incomplete data. As such, this thesis asks which role the administrative trinity--the functions of policy, budget, and technology--plays in police professionalization and reform. This thesis explores literature related to professionalization and the administrative functions in the armed forces and civil-military reform. Additionally, nine executive leaders from Scottsdale and Tempe, Arizona, were interviewed to better understand the role that these three administrative functions have on their police departments and the perceptions of professionalism. The research identified a relationship between the values of the community, the process in which the administrative trinity is applied, and the professional legitimacy that is perceived by the community. In this context, this thesis recommends that to support reform efforts, police departments should ensure alignment of their values to how they adopt policy, implement budgets, and evaluate through technology."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Johnson, Cassandra M.
2021-09
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Leveraging Geospatial Intelligence to Enhance Dallas Fire Department Programs and Data Analysis
From the Thesis Abstract: "This research incorporates and enhances the use of geospatial intelligence, also known as a geographic information system (GIS), within the Dallas Fire Department bureaus, programs, and data analysis. Traditionally, fire departments have primarily leveraged GIS for its cartography (map) functions to produce large area wall maps of the city and first-up response areas, and for creating map books kept in fire apparatus units. While cartography is a useful tool for visualizing broad information, incorporating other aspects of GIS into additional areas of the department will provide heightened situational awareness and can become a primary tool used for decision support and resource allocation. Through practical quantitative measures, such as travel time measurements and calculating coverage area dimensions, this research specifically examines how GISs can provide data modeling, tracking, predictive analysis, and visualizations. This type of analysis can then be used for policy development and decision support in areas such as the resource allocation of fire apparatus and fire station placement. In addition, this research analyzes how GIS can be incorporated into strategic planning and budget analysis."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Lopez, Stephan J., Jr.
2021-09
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Putting the Public in Public Safety: Nudging a Safer Community
From the Thesis Abstract: "The research builds on successful nudge campaigns in the United States and the United Kingdom, including positive results in both the public and private sectors. Traditional crime prevention messaging approaches may have limited success. They typically reach individuals and communities who have already been exposed to straightforward public safety or crime prevention information messages from law enforcement. Based on the results of the Denver Police Department's nudge campaign--the process, analysis, and results of which are presented in this thesis--it is evident that social media marketing campaigns can be cost effective when compared to customary marketing approaches. Specifically, when it comes to the typical methodology many law enforcement agencies use to engage with community members, such as flyers, neighborhood meetings, and posts on social media platforms, a professional marketing 'nudge' campaign can enhance engagement, reduce preventable crimes, and increase overall public safety. This thesis looks at the use of 'nudge' marketing strategies as a tool for local law enforcement to incorporate into their proactive approaches in reducing preventable crime in their communities. The thesis draws from research on branding and marketing to implement a study examining the identification, development, and testing of various nudge campaigns that span multiple diverse geographical neighborhoods."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Pazen, Paul M.
2021-09
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Combatting Erosion of Voter Confidence with Innovation of Election Administration
From the Thesis Abstract: "This thesis explores how the training of poll workers in general, and their technology training specifically, could be improved to enhance the voter experience and increase voter confidence in the election process. To this end, interviews were conducted with poll-worker trainers from counties small and large, as well as a focus group convened to gain perspective on the training experience from first-time poll workers who served during the November 2020 presidential election. The interviews and focus groups showed that while significant effort goes into training poll workers, the average training amounts to less than four hours, and training for technology presents an increasing challenge to those delivering training and those using the technology or introducing it to the voter. Due to a high sense of civic duty and responsibility, poll workers showed significant interest and used extra time and training materials when made available. Therefore, this thesis recommends creating additional training materials, along with a program for recognizing those who take advantage of them. This additional training will raise poll-worker competency with procedures and technology, ultimately improving voter experiences at the polls and combating the erosion of voter confidence."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Houck, Chad A.
2021-09
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Department of Homeland Security and USCG Financial Management System Modernization, Challenges and Opportunities
From the Thesis Abstract: "In 2017, after three years of investment, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) restarted an IT acquisition project focused on the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) and Transportation Security Administration's financial system. Such projects bear inherent risks in terms of their size and interoperability and affect a wide range of agencies' operational missions. This thesis conducts a comparative analysis of the DHS's financial system failure and examines whether this project failure shares characteristics and challenges with other large government IT projects. It analyzes the causes, risks, and ways to mitigate IT failures through four case studies of large government IT projects that failed: DHS's financial system, the USCG electronic health care system, the HealthCare.gov website, and the FBI virtual case file program. It finds that these IT projects share common challenges, including significant schedule delays and cost increases, which inevitably led them to fail. The four case studies reveal a few important elements that contribute to successful government IT projects: defining the project outcomes at the beginning, having the right expertise, leading the organization through business process change, and fostering internal control procedures. These findings are representative of a small sample size , only cover recent IT projects in the United States. Future research can focus on the lessons learned from the failures to benefit both public and private IT development projects."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hoang, Nguyentrinh E.
2021-09
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Breaking the Glass Ceiling: A Path Forward for FBI Agent Recruitment
From the Thesis Abstract: "America has faced a racial reckoning as tensions have boiled over between law enforcement and communities of color. The killings of Philando Castile, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others have led to extensive protests. As the lead agency for investigating federal civil rights and color-of-law violations, the FBI has often been called upon to investigate police actions in these deadly encounters. However, many have questioned the bureau's ability to be impartial, due to the agency's history of questionable treatment of minorities and the fact that most FBI special agents are white males. In order for the FBI to gain the trust of minority communities, it needs to start reflecting the diversity of the country. Using Bardach and Patashnik's eight-step policy analysis framework, this thesis examines the FBI's recruitment processes and suggests some solutions for a more diverse special agent workforce. This research demonstrates that factors such as the perception of law enforcement, FBI promotional policies and practices, and an absent nationwide recruitment strategy affect the bureau's ability to recruit a more diverse pool of agents. This research recommends that in order to create a more diverse workforce, the FBI needs to 1) develop a nationwide recruitment strategy, 2) foster strategic partnerships, 3) develop and utilize data analytics to drive diversity targets, and 4) engage a third party to review and evaluate the FBI's special agent selection process."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Joachim, Marcus
2021-09
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Surge on the Horizon: Improving U.S. Foresight Capacity to Anticipate Mass Migrations
From the Thesis Abstract: "Mass migrations at the southwest border are nothing new, but surges in unaccompanied minors and family units crossing the border in short periods are increasingly overwhelming the U.S. government's capacity to respond, resulting in humanitarian, legal, and financial consequences. Due to the complex motivations for migrating, U.S. immigration authorities currently lack the ability to anticipate mass-migration events, making it difficult to prepare for them. This thesis poses the question of how the U.S. government can improve its foresight capacity to anticipate and manage mass-migration events. This thesis does not model mass-migration events, but rather demonstrates that such work is feasible and necessary. This analysis uses Maslow's hierarchy of needs as a framework to organize the reasons for migration and offers ways to quantify such factors. Next, it explores available technologies that could increase the accuracy of migration forecasting and various modeling methods that could be used to synthesize such data. This thesis then examines strategic foresight units across governments, identifying best practices that could be used to build out the capacity to conduct strategic forecasting within the mass-migration sphere. Ultimately, this thesis finds that strategic foresight vis-à-vis mass migration is possible and recommends creating a strategic foresight unit tasked with anticipating mass-migration flows."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Riesner, Katie Martin
2021-09
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Protecting America's High Ground: A Public-Private Response to Space Debris
From the thesis Abstract: "The United States is reliant on the capabilities provided by satellite technology for nearly every facet of society. A sustained loss of satellite capabilities due to any service outages will have a significant negative impact on the nation's homeland security. The areas affected include communication, financial transactions, intelligence gathering, internet access, and weather surveillance. Existing domestic and international policy has been insufficient in managing debris growth. The removal of large debris from congested orbits through active debris removal (ADR) is now necessary to prevent future collision events that will damage or destroy operational satellites that may possibly render certain regions of space unusable for generations. To safeguard its satellites and critical services they provide to homeland security, the United States should develop a domestic debris removal program using the established public-private partnership model that NASA has leveraged over the previous 15 years. This model has reduced developments costs and risks of schedule delays, and also stimulates growth in the private space sector and creates additional tax revenues. Furthermore, the commercial sector possesses knowledge and experience in the field of on-orbit servicing, a field with similar technical challenges to debris removal that can provide a foundation for the development of ADR systems. The United States must begin remediation by partnering with the private sector."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Repair, Christopher W.
2021-06
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United States Coast Guard and Spontaneous Volunteers: Collaboration or Chaos During Disaster Response
From the thesis Abstract: "Spontaneous volunteers who conduct search and rescue (SAR) in the aftermath of major disasters are changing the emergency management landscape. This thesis explores ways in which the United States Coast Guard (USCG) could better engage organized spontaneous volunteers (OSV) who conduct maritime SAR during hurricane response operations. The research involves three exploratory case studies. In each case study, the organizational response of both the USCG and OSVs was examined according to the Disaster Research Center's four-fold typology of organized responses to disasters. The analysis identified specific factors of the USCG's organizational response that affected OSV engagement. Recommendations are made for the USCG to take on new or non-regular SAR tasks and to develop new organizational structures to respond effectively to maritime disasters. New organizational structures should also include OSV groups if the USCG desires to increase engagement during future hurricane response operations."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Gilbert, Joshua R.
2021-06
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Carrot or Stick--a Multiple Case Study of Anti-Corruption and Incentive-Based Programs and Lessons Learned
From the thesis Abstract: "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for protecting all U.S. borders. CBP protects all air, land, and seaports, as well as the areas on the border between the official ports of entry. Drug trafficking organizations and human trafficking organizations continually target gaps in CBP's infrastructure, practices, and methodologies to exploit any shortfalls. Outside of technology and infrastructure gaps, CBP employees themselves are targets for criminal organizations. Criminal organizations look to corrupt current employees or insert a member of the criminal organization as a new employee to further their criminal enterprise. This thesis investigates the human element in insider threats and employee corruption, as well as whether current nontechnology-based CBP tactics to combat insider threats and employee corruption requires additional fortifications. One incentive-based and one anti-corruption program are studied to determine if those programs can benefit CBP. CBP has a unique and challenging operational environment. This thesis addresses the unique operating environment encountered by CBP and provides recommendations to fill the gaps in current nontechnology-based insider threat and anti-corruption methodologies used in CBP."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Garcia, Cesar
2021-06
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Theoretical Foundations of Community Disaster Resilience
From the thesis Abstract: "The relatively recent theory of community disaster resilience (CDR) would benefit from an exploration of the established theories that form its basis. This study proposes that the approach embodied by social identity theory (SIT) from social psychology aligns with the tenets of CDR. Validating CDR through SIT supports further research in the former theory as well as informs its practical applications. This thesis presents an extensive review of academic research in both theories and qualitative analysis, highlighting connections between the two fields and providing context for future CDR researchers. Finally, this thesis offers ways to make CDR-measuring tools more effective and adaptable, so they can be used to improve a community's CDR before a disaster and customized to meet the needs of specific communities."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Barnes, Jill M.
2021-06
