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Every Community an Island: Preparing for Catastrophic Disasters
From the thesis Abstract: "This thesis is a single-case study of Puerto Rico's experience with Hurricane Maria and its catastrophic impacts. As the nation faces more complex and frequent catastrophic disasters, practitioners must consider how to build resilience in a meaningful way by beginning with the community. America's approach to disaster preparedness and response outlined in the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) and the National Response Framework (NRF) has respectively produced 'whole community' concepts and a tiered response approach to disasters. However, the NPG has yet to realize the concept of 'whole community' fully by effectively integrating community-based actors and other non-governmental entities into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery cycles. The NRF also does not outline contingencies for the collapse of the framework in catastrophic disasters when mutual aid, state, and federal resources become unavailable or insufficient for lengthy periods of time, leaving communities isolated. To examine these issues, Puerto Rico's disaster impacts are examined via the Federal Emergency Management Agency's community lifelines as a categorical method of organization. By synthesizing a large body of literature, this study provides disaster preparedness and response conclusions for all lifelines and identifies overarching themes centered upon a need for holistic disaster preparedness, integration of non-governmental actors, decentralization, and redundant critical infrastructure systems."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Card, Sean
2021-03
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Problem of Definition: Considerations for Recategorizing Domestic Terrorists
From the thesis Abstract: "In the past five years, the United States has seen a noticeable increase in racially, ethnically motivated violent extremist (REMVE) activity. By examining the relevance of defining terrorism as international or domestic, this thesis identifies antiquated assumptions that have hindered the U.S. federal approach to investigating and prosecuting REMVE organizations. It also explores whether U.S. legal and judicial frameworks are adaptive enough to address emerging REMVE trends and how the homeland security enterprise can better mitigate and respond to the threat. Using case study analysis to explore the Atomwaffen Division and the Base--two accelerationist, white, ethno-nationalist groups with transnational ties--the thesis documents the emerging trend of REMVE actors, their ideology and motivation, and the digital and transnational context of their activity. The thesis also delves into the ways the First and Fourth Amendments shape the investigation and prosecution of violent extremists, and how their application to domestic and international terrorism varies, as defined in 18 U.S.C. §2331. Homegrown violent extremist organizations can no longer be automatically classified as domestic terrorists. In cases where transnational links exist, the homeland security enterprise should leverage the same tools that have been applied to international terrorist threats such as al-Qaida."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Jones, Jaime
2021-03
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Stepping Out of the Shadows: Leveraging the Community to Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Minors
From the thesis Abstract: "The online transmission of child pornography has exploded in recent years, and law enforcement does not have the resources to stop it. This thesis seeks to determine the advantages and disadvantages of using citizen volunteers to help investigate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Specifically, it investigates whether incorporating civilians into certain aspects of CSAM investigations could assist law enforcement in filling gaps in resources needed to ensure all recovered images be fully investigated in less time. To test the hypothesis that creating opportunities for civilians to assist law enforcement will positively impact law enforcement's ability to investigate CSAM offenses, this thesis uses policy analysis to compare three policyoption alternatives. The results confirm the hypothesis by demonstrating that incorporating skilled civilian volunteers into a national volunteer program is an effective option to assist law enforcement in CSAM investigations. These results suggest law enforcement and policy makers should establish a national volunteer program that allows skilled volunteers to assist law enforcement agencies around the nation in certain time-consuming or technically complex aspects of investigations. Doing so opens up resources to law enforcement agencies and provides much-needed assistance to investigators while allowing volunteers meaningful opportunities to use their skills and time to combat the sexual exploitation of children."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Yerkes, Elisabeth
2021-03
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Policing the Aerotropolis: A Model for Securing the Nation's Large Airports
From the thesis Abstract: "As aviation continues to be the fastest and most efficient form of global transportation, airports across the country continue to see exponential growth in size and population. This expansion means airports will remain a high-value target to crime and terrorism. The need to protect the airport environment against these threats is essential. The responsibility of policing the nation's major airports is unique and full of challenges. Airport police must balance the requirements of providing security to a critical infrastructure and highly transient population, with the needs of protecting the surrounding businesses and commercial developments around the airport. This research answers the question of whether traditional policing models are effective in protecting and serving this unique environment or if a new model should be adapted to suit the needs of policing the aerotropolis better. Research findings, combined with a comparative analysis of policing methods at major U.S. airports, show that a dedicated, highly proactive, and customer-oriented police force is vital in ensuring the nation's large airports and the aviation industry continue to play a vital role in the world economy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Cousins, Joshua T.
2021-03
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Security Cooperation with Cuba: The Impact of Normalization on the Coast Guard's Relationship with the Cuban Border Guard
From the thesis Abstract: "This research examines the Coast Guard's maritime security relationship with the Cuban Border Guard--before, during, and after normalization--through a qualitative case study comparison of five distinct mission areas: drug interdiction, migrant interdiction, search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and port security. By reviewing the aftereffects of the Trump administration's rollback of U.S.-Cuba policy, specifically the impact on the Coast Guard-Cuban Border Guard security relationship, it is possible to recognize that such a policy reversal does not serve the national security interests of the United States. The operational focus of the Coast Guard's maritime security cooperation with the Cuban Border Guard, combined with measured growth in mission areas of mutual concern, are key factors in the long-term success of this important relationship. With no significant concentration of bilateral security exchanges since 2018, the United States should take steps to reinvigorate law enforcement cooperation with Cuban authorities in areas such as counternarcotics, illegal migration, counterterrorism, and mass rescue operations."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Cromwell, Derek
2021-03
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Crowd Machine: Leveraging Emergent Crowd Behavior in Policy and Response
From the thesis Abstract: "All across the country, officials and planners of the first-responder community plan for events of various types, yet their plans do not adequately account for crowd behavior when the event is interrupted by an act of violence that turns into a mass-casualty incident, or a 'focus event.' This research contests early crowd psychology studies and presents the contemporary social identity theory, elaborated social identity model, and emergence model as better lenses for crowd behavior in responding to a focus event. Case studies of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting are used to analyze crowds that experienced focus events through the perspective of complex adaptive systems. A new framework that incorporates the elements of stress, panic, chaos, and priming is then presented to assist officials and planners with planning for crowds experiencing a focus event, with the aim of leveraging crowd emergence. The new framework presented in this research leads to a set of actionable recommendations for policymakers and planners. Ultimately, this thesis challenges officials and planners of the first-responder community to evaluate crowds as complex adaptive systems and explore the ability to leverage crowds for a more effective response."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Cooper, Craig M.
2021-03
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Case for Affirming Diversity: Reflective Recruitment That Represents the Community Served
From the thesis Abstract: "Fitchburg Fire Department's (FFD) membership today is not diverse, primarily because the department has experienced limited success in recruiting motivated, diverse firefighter candidates. This thesis poses the following research questions: What can be done to identify current barriers that discourage or hamper reflective recruitment in FFD? And what can be done to overcome recruitment obstacles? The research relied on a focus group composed of Fitchburg-area civic leaders who could share a historical perspective, discuss operational and systematic bias, and consider solutions through reflective recruitment and targeted community outreach. The group's recommendations were incorporated into a plan that involved short-, medium-, and long-term recruitment outreach and recruitment goals over a two-year timeline. The group identified potential school programs, racially centric groups, and current FFD membership that can positively influence prospective firefighter candidates. Recognizing that professional standards need not be compromised in the pursuit of a more representative workforce, the focus group recommended intentional acts of inclusion to stimulate occupational and organizational interest. This thesis finds that if FFD aims to recruit a workforce that resembles the community served, inclusivity will depend largely on targeted neighborhood outreach, a form of affirmative action."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Pulvermacher, Joseph J.
2021-03
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Saving Our Own: Maximizing CBRN Urban Search and Rescue Capabilities to Support Civil Authorities
From the thesis Abstract: "This thesis seeks to determine how the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Response Enterprise's urban search and rescue (US&R) elements can better accomplish the Department of Defense's (DOD) Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission following a domestic nuclear attack. To this end, it poses the following research question: How can the DOD maximize the employment of existing CBRN Response Enterprise US&R capabilities to support civil authority-directed lifesaving efforts following a domestic nuclear detonation? Research interviews were conducted with federal and local civil US&R authorities that inquired about their expectations of enterprise US&R elements after a nuclear detonation. Additionally, an analysis was conducted of the enterprise's ability to overcome the challenges presented by post-nuclear detonation environments when delivering this support. It was discovered that federal civil US&R authorities intend to use the CBRN Response Enterprise's US&R elements as force multipliers, while local authorities have more ambiguous expectations since they receive far less exposure to the enterprise's US&R capabilities. Furthermore, to improve the delivery of life-saving aid, the enterprise should enhance its capabilities to address the threat of fire and added challenges to the performance of US&R skills incurred by post-nuclear detonation environments."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wagner, Robert T.
2021-03
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NCAA Football Game Security in the Big Ten Conference: How Campus Police Are Trained and Equipped to Combat Terrorism
From the thesis Abstract: "College football stadiums in the Big Ten Conference can host 100,000 fans each home game, which make them potential targets for terrorists or lone wolves who seek to further their agenda through mass casualty events. This thesis answers the following question: How do campus police in the Big Ten Conference protect football stadiums against potential terrorist attacks and coordinate with outside agencies to ensure crowd security without sacrificing the fans' experience? Using a multi-level analysis of the campus and stadium environment, this thesis identifies the different threats and complexities that beset the campus environment and how campus police utilize their resources to defend the football stadium environment. Additionally, this thesis draws comparisons to the security operations of the National Football League, specifically its use of common standards of security across all teams. Universities in the Big Ten have too many disparities between each stadium's security operation, which could lead to potential gaps in the future. This thesis concludes that mandatory reporting of pre-existing mental health conditions and creating common standards for stadium security will alleviate the disparities between each university and fill latent security gaps."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Reese, Alexander F.
2021-03
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I've Got My AI on You: Artificial Intelligence in the Law Enforcement Domain
From the thesis Abstract: "Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems provide a unique problem for users in the law enforcement domain. On one hand, AI systems provide an opportunity for optimizations and faster workflows, especially in the environment of growing data. On the other hand if left unchecked, AI systems have the potential to negatively affect the community served by law enforcement. This research focuses on three types of AI systems currently used by law enforcement: facial recognition, predictive risk assessments, and predictive policing. By looking at these three types of AI systems, this research attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology while maintaining the privacy, fairness, transparency, and accountability expected by the public. These three case studies show how AI systems can have a negative impact on individuals identified via AI systems and the need for further research into effective measures to regulate the technology. Additionally, the European Union is currently working on potential frameworks for responsible implementation of AI systems, which provide a template for future efforts in the United States."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Baker, Eric M.
2021-03
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If You Love Them, Let Them Go: A Comparative Analysis of Rotational Programs and Recommendations for the Homeland Security Enterprise
From the thesis Abstract: "Rotational programs--whereby employees temporarily work within a different part of an organization to gain new skills and knowledge--have become the rage across the country. Benefits of these programs in the private sector include continual learning, agility in job skills, and a 'try before you buy' approach to job satisfaction for both the employee and employer. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented two rotational programs; however, these initiatives are in the early stages of implementation, and their effectiveness remains unclear. To identify opportunities for optimization, this thesis draws upon the work of Campion and Griffiths to analyze case studies from mature federal rotational programs within the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community and determines the benefits and challenges of each. Based on these findings, it investigates to what degree DHS can leverage best practices from these programs to strengthen its workforce, augment the effectiveness of the program design, and fulfill the mission of the programs. Ultimately, DHS has opportunities to improve on key elements, such as inclusivity, encouraging participation through credits and incentives, ensuring a strong foundation for the program, and developing a continual review process through metrics, data collection, and review."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Stone, Marcie
2021-03
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Identifying Assets to Increase Maritime Border Security
From the thesis Abstract: "As increased border security measures are adopted along the United States' southern land border, researchers believe that an increase in illicit maritime traffic can be expected. As the primary maritime security agency, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is suffering from a lack of interdiction assets and resources and admits it is already only capable of responding to one-third of all known maritime smuggling events. Based on current data regarding drug interdictions within the maritime domain and the expectation that smuggling events will increase, can the number of successful interdictions be increased through greater interoperability and cooperation between the U.S. Navy (USN) and USCG? This thesis discusses the mission of both the USN and USCG and analyzes the role that Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South) plays in coordinating counter-narcotics efforts. The research for this thesis suggests that JIATF South is successfully coordinating responsibilities among all involved agencies to maintain complete awareness of maritime drug smuggling, but that it now lacks the necessary assets to improve on the number of successful interdictions each year. The USN is aiming to surpass the previous goal of a 355-ship fleet by developing unmanned surface vehicles, which could prove to be the asset JIATF South needs."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Shook, Kenneth A.
2021-03
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In the Line of Fire: Safeguarding America's Election Security
From the thesis Abstract: "The U.S. electoral system and democracy are under continued attack by foreign adversaries and political extremists intent on manipulating U.S. elections. Election officials and homeland security stakeholders must search for alternative methods to help strengthen the resiliency of the system. The question then becomes: How can red teaming and systems thinking be applied to reinforce the integrity of the U.S. electoral system? The goal is to analyze the system in its entirety to ensure the system in place can support a free and fair election and withstand an attack from an adversary. This research studies how the rapid implementation of universal mail-in voting created the opportunity for political activists to cast doubt on the validity of the election results. By applying systems thinking to the implementation of mail-in voting, election officials would have identified the additional challenges in advance and employed security protocols and alternative options to mitigate potential threats. To test security protocols in place, stakeholders should employ red teaming vulnerability probes. The vulnerability probes will assist in determining how effective the protocols are and if alternatives need to be established. Stakeholders should consider employing the use of systems thinking and red teaming to identify vulnerabilities and reinforce the integrity of the U.S. electoral system."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hughes, Laura A.
2021-03
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Why We Serve: Public Service Motivation and What the USCIS Mission Means to Its Workforce
From the thesis Abstract: "Why do people choose to serve with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)? How has USCIS articulated its mission and organizational values since its creation? What mission values do employees believe in versus what USCIS asks of them? This thesis uses public service motivation (PSM) theory and value congruence theory to interpret the alignment of USCIS employee value perceptions with organizational values from 2015 to 2020. An examination of the USCIS mission from 2003 to 2020 equips the reader with a comprehensive picture of its evolution. A qualitative analysis of USCIS employee motivational survey responses captured from 2015 to 2020 provides visibility into employee perceptions of 'why we serve.' The PSM themes found within employee responses--compassionate humanitarian, public interest servant, upholder and influencer of policy, self-sacrificing public servant--provide insight into employee role perceptions. Research findings found a strong fit between organization and employee before 2018. After a substantial change in USCIS mission values in 2018, the fit between the compassionate humanitarian and the organization wanes. However, other PSM values emerge in employee PSM values, suggesting that the organizational storyline may influence individual perception over time. A call for further research is encouraged for sense-making exercises with the Cynefin framework, post-2020 employee PSM perceptions, and employee retention and organizational fit."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Witt, Katie
2021-03
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Normalizing Cybersecurity: Improving Cyber Incident Response with the Incident Command System
From the thesis Abstract: "In 2018, the Colorado Department of Transportation was hit with a ransomware attack that resulted in the first-ever state emergency declaration for a cyber attack. Cyber attacks against the nation and its infrastructure are expected to increase, yet no extensive research exists on the United States' designated response framework for them. This thesis investigated the application of the Incident Command System (ICS) in significant cyber incidents and how the system may be improved for these events. A mixed method study consisting of case studies, senior leader interviews, and a quantitative survey was used to evaluate ICS specific to the framework's eight core concepts. The research includes findings on variables that impact the effectiveness of response frameworks in cyber events. Recommendations are made to improve cyber response."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hanson, Darin T.
2021-03
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Crisis of Legitimacy After Police-Related Civilian Deaths: Applying the Cynefin Framework to Legitimacy-Developing Policies
From the thesis Abstract: "Police-related civilian deaths, caused by direct force or occurring during custody, pose one of the central challenges to police legitimacy. This thesis studied five police departments that experienced such a crisis of legitimacy, as evidenced by either deadly retaliatory violence against police or substantial civil unrest in response. Specifically, this thesis examined how each agency implemented expert-recommended legitimacy-developing policies before and in response to the challenge of these deaths. This thesis then applied the Cynefin framework to these implementations, revealing which domains better conform to expert recommendations and sustain legitimacy policies in the wake of a crisis. This research recommends and provides a method for police leaders to leverage the Cynefin framework to assess their legitimacy policy implementations."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Espinoza, Stephen
2021-03
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Realizing Resilience: A Study of Definition, Indicators, and Operationalization
From the thesis Abstract: "Resilience is a term ubiquitously used to gauge how communities fare during and following disasters. Academics and practitioners see resilience as a critical driver of a community's success or failure in recovering or bouncing back from disasters. This thesis aims to provide insight into improving resilience by bridging how it is studied in theory and practiced in the field. This thesis examines resilience in the literature and presents four case studies, which focus on resilience governance and social, physical, and economic resilience indicators. The findings of this thesis show the necessity of community cohesion in growing a community's resilience. The cases also show the benefit of clear resilience governance frameworks rooted in diverse, equitable leadership that represents the communities served. Moreover, fostering individual resilience contributes to a community's resilience level. Finally, the term resilience needs both reconceptualizing and reimagining in a way that better aligns with current-day challenges."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Raycroft, Jill
2021-03
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Strategic Communications and the Department of Homeland Security: Immigration Policies, Mixed Messaging, and Information Fratricide
From the thesis Abstract: "Under President Trump, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rolled out the controversial parent-child separation policy, also known as zero tolerance, and the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program in 2018-19. How DHS conducts strategic communications about such controversial policies is directly related to public and stakeholder perception of these policies. A newly developed stakeholder-centric measurement and evaluation model used to evaluate these two policy case studies demonstrates that Trump's DHS used messaging which was, at times, inconsistent and even contradictory. While communications on MPP showed an evolution in DHS's ability to successfully engage in strategic communications related to these enforcement efforts, the parent-child separation policy represents the prototypical example of information fratricide. The research methodology adopts an outsider viewpoint and employs a media content analysis of high-level public communications of DHS officials. Identification and future use of DHS's top communications strengths, as displayed in these sample communications, can lead to more effective strategic communications and improved stakeholder engagement. The thesis concludes with generalized recommendations for future communications policy within DHS based on lessons learned from this thesis research."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Graham, Jonathan M.
2021-03
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Policing for the 22nd Century: A Complexity Theory-Based Approach
From the thesis Abstract: "Although many alternatives to the standard model of policing have been proposed, none of them meaningfully engages with the massive social and technological changes that have occurred since the mid-20th century. This thesis asks if complexity theory can serve as a theoretical foundation for a new model of policing. Literature on complexity, complex adaptive systems, and network theory is examined and finds that observed behavior of street robberies in Washington, DC, can be understood as a complex adaptive system. This thesis concludes that it is vital to recognize that the United States is transitioning into an informational, network-based society increasingly governed by nonlinear, dynamic processes. It also concludes that the present dissatisfaction with the state of policing is due to its institutional misalignment with those social dynamics. Several recommendations are offered on how to educate and structure police agencies to function effectively in complex environments."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hollan, Brian T.
2021-03
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Monitoring the Unpredictable: What Can Law Enforcement Do to Track Potential Active Shooters?
From the thesis Abstract: "Since the late 1990s, few incidents have captured the national spotlight more than active shooter events. These events are a significant concern to the public, and as questions arise surrounding these incidents, the focus often turns to law enforcement and its ability to protect the public. Often, law enforcement's response to inquiries surrounding prevention strategies concludes with officials explaining that they did everything possible to prevent the attack. This thesis analyzes the history of active shooter response and examines why law enforcement focuses more on response management than on prevention strategies. The project identifies issues when law enforcement, regardless of size or allocated resources, fails to establish a plan to track and monitor potential active shooter threats. Comparing four case studies--the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting, Virginia Tech incident, Odessa-Midland attack, and the 1 October Las Vegas mass shooting--the research aims to identify investigative gaps that may have helped prevent the attacks. It categorizes the probability of preventing attacks based on available resources to law enforcement. The conclusion points to gaps with information sharing, planning, and resource allocation that could help agencies prepare for any future attacks."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Reyna, Robert A.
2021-03
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Study of Musicology and Social Discourse in Mid-Twentieth-Century America
From the thesis Abstract: "Social scientists and philosophers generally agree that music pervades most cultures and helps form people's identities and worldviews. This thesis examines music associated with mid-twentieth-century discourse movements in the United States to establish musicological patterns and analyze their relationship to social discourse. Documented historical accounts and music-chart ratings across movements were used to determine the popularity and historical significance of songs. The present study finds that mid-twentieth-century popular music reflected and amplified belief systems held during the era and reciprocally affected social action. This work identifies how music interacted with the counterculture movement, the civil rights movement, and the anti-Vietnam War movement, and reveals an intimate and multifaceted relationship with music across multiple subgenres. This exploration of the youth-powered mid-twentieth-century music industry shows how larger-than-life performers emerged and exerted tremendous influence on young people, thus developing youth identities and fueling youth activism during the era. Ultimately, this thesis suggests that music can help practitioners who are responsible for resolving social imbalances and maintaining peace to explain the belief systems and motivations of people involved in discourse, especially for those such as the youth of most cultures, whose personal identity and worldview formation are commonly in flux during the coming-of-age process."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Briggs, James B.
2020-12
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Blip on the Radar: School Safety Synergy Through Early Warning and Information Sharing
From the thesis Abstract: "The traditional response to school violence by legislators and school districts has been mostly reactive. Scholars and existing research in the field of school safety and security recommend a critical safety and security initiative that is proactive and works to prevent violence by identifying concerns early on through behavioral threat assessment practices. This thesis applied a multi-step qualitative and comparative policy analysis framework that evaluated existing opportunities to increase the safety and security posture of schools. This study evaluated strengths and weaknesses in school safety and security by drawing lessons from past incidents of school violence in the United States, assembling contributing factors to inaction, comparing another country's holistic approach to targeted violence, and evaluating gaps in existing school safety legislation. This thesis used scholarly research to make school safety and security recommendations at the federal, state, and local levels--for legislators, public safety professionals, school district leadership, and particularly, school safety and security professionals in Texas. This thesis found that for behavioral threat assessment and management to be an effective violence prevention strategy, school officials and legislators ought to develop programs and implement training and measurement tools that focus on efficacy rather than compliance or broad measures that consequentially affect children who do not pose a threat."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Dias, Bruno S.
2020-12
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Assimilation Through the Ballot: How Voting Facilitates Integration into American Life
From the thesis Abstract: "The United States has been colloquially considered a nation of immigrants. However, the subject of immigrant integration in the United States remains insufficiently explained. Prior research suggests an association between political participation and social integration within the American mainstream, but this relationship remains underexplored. This thesis investigates the relationship between political participation and integration, with particular reference to electoral participation and the act of voting. Drawing upon democratization literature, this thesis proposes a theory of integration through elections whereby electoral participation advances a newcomer's integration into their new host society. Through evaluating this theory of integration through elections within a mixed-methods research design, the results confirm a relationship between electoral participation and integration and suggest that electoral participation may facilitate the integration process. The results further contain implications for future studies of integration and for immigration policy in the United States."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Knowlton, Nicholas D.
2020-12
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Avoiding the Cassandra Complex: Improving Warnings and Notifications for People with Functional and Access Needs
From the thesis Abstract: "How can emergency alerts be modified to more effectively serve people with functional and access needs? This thesis employed a qualitative analysis of three U.S. and two international case studies of disasters, applying the findings to the value proposition framework, which considers the warning requirements of people with disabilities or other access needs as well as what inclusive warning and notifications systems would look like. This framework drove eight recommendations that stakeholders can use to improve such systems. Alert originators and professional associations should enhance inclusive planning and education and implement broader use of diverse warning systems for public safety and the public. They should also leverage assistive technologies and community relationships. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, respectively, should incentivize inclusive warning programs through grant funding and fund technology research for resilient warning infrastructure."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Miller, Sean D.
2020-12
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Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action: How Can Law Enforcement Enhance the Recruitment of Women?
From the thesis Abstract: "Women entered the law enforcement profession over 100 years ago, and while they now account for over 50 percent of the U.S. population, they represent a meager 12 percent of the 800,000 sworn police officers serving in the country. As law enforcement agencies struggle to find enough officers to fill staffing shortages, women remain an under-recruited resource. This thesis aims to answer the question of how law enforcement can enhance the recruitment of women. A comparative analysis approach was used to compare and contrast Australia's and Canada's policing, recruitment practices, and maternity benefits to those of the United States. These two allied countries were chosen for comparison as they share similar democratic frameworks to the United States yet have significantly higher percentages of women serving as police officers. Findings from the analysis suggest that the strategies used in Australia and Canada have a significant impact and could be implemented in the United States to enhance women's recruitment. U.S. law enforcement leaders must strive to move the numerically underrepresented women from token status and work to create a profession rife with diversity and inclusion. Findings suggest that law enforcement should change the focus of recruitment from the physical strength of a candidate to problem-solving capabilities, interpersonal strengths, and communication skills."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Newman, Michelle L.
2020-12
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Assumption and Adaptation in Emergency Response: Evaluating the Strategic Approach of the National Incident Management System
From the thesis Abstract: "The National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidance strategy influences local public safety organizations and jurisdictions with emergency response obligations to develop and adopt all-hazards emergency response plans to prepare for critical incidents and natural disasters. Plan developers use assumption-based planning to imagine disaster scenarios and cultivate response options, but there are inherent problems with using such an approach for emergency preparedness. This thesis reviews the literature regarding NIMS strategy for incident response, assumption-based and adaptive planning processes, complexity and decision-making, and response implementation to determine whether a shift in policy could benefit local responders. It also covers four response case after-action reports to determine whether pre-incident plans were beneficial to responders and if jurisdictions had sufficient resources to respond to their incidents. The review illustrates that assumption-based planning is not the best tool for developing new plans but is better suited to review existing procedures or as a training tool for responders. This thesis shows that pre-selected and trained incident management teams provide superior preparedness for response and, when combined with a decision-making framework, are a dynamic, efficient tool. This thesis recommends changing the national strategy to influence local authorities in the development and implementation of coordinated local incident response teams."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Chapman, Charles W.
2020-12
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Muted Voices: Toward an Understanding of the U.S. Asylum Program at the Southwest Border
From the thesis Abstract: "The often-dismissed people who live, work, and pass through the Mexico-U.S. border can offer new insight into the U.S. asylum program crisis. This thesis develops a concept called muted voices that can help identify, access, and hear the subjective stories of displaced people, border patrol agents, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers. These individuals go through a similar journey of trauma and stress in their interactions with U.S. bureaucratic systems--systems made even more cumbersome by executive orders and procedural changes from a presidential administration hell-bent on restricting the U.S. asylum program. The fictional narratives and historical background presented in this thesis illuminate the everyday realities, struggles, and complexities along the border as well as the geopolitical, historical, and economic conditions that have culminated in the current crisis. The accounts of a displaced youth fleeing his home, a border patrol agent implementing the praxis of bordering, ordering, and othering, and a refugee officer interpreting asylum procedures reveal how policies shape lives and help to situate implications and recommendations for homeland security."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Chen, Jaime
2020-12
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Subversive Influence: Vulnerabilities of the United States and Its Elections to Russian Interference Campaigns
From the thesis Abstract: "The United States and its allies have been subjected to clandestine interference campaigns led by theRussian government for nearly a century. The targets and mechanisms of subversive Kremlin influence have varied over the decades, but themes such as seeking to tamper with electoral processes have seen refinement and renewed vigor in the 21st century. From the inception of the Soviet Union to the era of Vladimir Putin, this thesis investigates the targets and mechanisms of subversive Russian influence--with particular focus on election meddling--to identify the greatest U.S. vulnerabilities to such interference campaigns. We determined that the Kremlin possesses a wide variety of well-honed tools such as disinformation, cyberattacks, and forgeries that allow it to apply stress to democratic systems and exploit rival nations' internal divisions, and that it has had success in deploying such tools in a number of Western democratic elections since 2014. We find that significant damage to the credibility of elections and the U.S. government is a viable vulnerability for Russian interference campaigns, and that mounting defensive measures against and mitigation thereof must be a top priority for U.S. national and homeland security entities."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
McMasters, Daniel H.
2020-12
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Sleeping Beauty's Secret: Identity Transformation in Female Suicide Terrorists
From the thesis Abstract: "Women have been active participants in terrorism throughout modern history; yet the existing body of literature dedicated to dissecting and understanding the motivations of foreign suicide terrorists largely omits gender as an expression of discourse. This thesis uses a case study method to investigate how identity formation and transformation increases vulnerability to radicalization in women who become suicide terrorists. Social identity theory is applied to two suicide terrorist groups with named female subgroups to look for patterns of dynamics in the women's social relationships and social and individual identities that indicate how identity transformation influences radicalization. Noted differences in social roles and gender-based in-group expectations between men and women were found to be significant for both groups and contribute to uniquely complex identity formation in the women. Themes of internal conflict from competing influences and shame that threatens in-group connection are common to the women in both groups, and appear to be linked to increased vulnerability to suggestion and engagement in desperate behavior designed to preserve or restore value. The case study analysis shows sufficient cause to indicate further study of radicalization along gender lines is worthwhile, as it may improve early identification of women who are most vulnerable to radicalization and inform counter-recruiting measures for women, both domestically and abroad."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Lynn, Judith W.
2020-12
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Refugee Radicalization in the United States: Scope of Threat and Steps Toward Mitigation
From the thesis Abstract: "The rhetoric of the Trump administration has fomented a belief among the U.S. public that refugees are a source of terrorism and a growing threat to the security of American citizens. This rhetoric has been reinforced by executive orders, regulations, and policies that have severely restricted the number of refugees admitted to the United States since 2017 and subjected those who enter to enhanced screening and vetting in an attempt to mitigate this perceived threat. This thesis assesses the actual scope of threat posed to the security of the United States by resettled refugees. Looking at quantitative data for attempted and perpetrated attacks by refugees in the United States, this thesis concludes that the threat posed to the U.S. homeland by resettled refugees is so minimal as to be statistically insignificant. Analyzing well-known examples of resettled refugees who have been radicalized to terrorism abroad, this thesis also concludes that the true risk of radicalization lies in the failed integration of these refugees into American society. Preventing the ostracism of refugees through policy changes to the refugee admissions program may serve to mitigate this risk and cure the misperceived fear of refugees among the public."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Rosich, Nicole M.
2020-12
