Browsing by Author "Lewandowski, Carla"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Disparity between Fusion Center Web Content and Self-Reported Activity
    (Sage, 2016-09) Carter, Jeremy G.; Lewandowski, Carla; May, Gabrielle A.; School of Public and Environmental Affairs
    The fusion center literature is limited and lacks consensus regarding operational focus and strategic priorities. Perhaps the lone consistent finding in this literature is the lack of awareness among outsiders regarding what fusion centers do and the capabilities they provide. Contemporary communication research indicates the Internet serves as the primary source of information to inform what they do not understand. The present study employs a mixed methods approach that combines a content analysis of fusion center web content with fusion center self-report data gleaned from a federally funded project. This study encompasses 74 of the 77 primary and officially recognized fusion centers in the United States. Results indicate that centers provide limited information online about their organization and significantly underreport their activities and capabilities online in comparison to self-reported tasks. Information available online through official fusion centers websites is poor at best. Fusion centers self-report to engage in tasks consistent with their information sharing and analytic mission. A context for the findings is provided in addition to recommendations and study limitations.
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    End-User Perceptions of Intelligence Dissemination from a State Fusion Center
    (2014-09-01) Lewandowski, Carla; Carter, Jeremy G.
    This research examines end-user perceptions of an intelligence product disseminated from a state fusion center in the Northeast region of the United States. The current literature suffers from an empirical gap within the arena of contemporary law enforcement intelligence; largely because of the difficulty of obtaining data related to such practices. This research informs this gap and provides insights into local law enforcement intelligence sharing. Descriptive statistics and interview narratives are presented. Original survey data was collected from a sample of law enforcement agencies subscribed to the fusion center’s intelligence listserv. Random interviews with survey respondents were also conducted and NVivo software was utilized to develop qualitative constructs. Findings indicate the intelligence product is read daily and perceived to be moderately useful by recipients. End users are primarily concerned with jurisdiction-specific and officer safety-related information. Upper-level administrators are the organizational lynchpins for funneling information to patrol officers.
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    The Role of People in Information-Sharing: Perceptions from an Analytic Unit of a Regional Fusion Center
    (Taylor & Francis, 2017) Lewandowski, Carla; Carter, Jeremy G.; Campbell, Walter L.; School of Public and Environmental Affairs
    Information sharing research has largely focused on capturing operational practices related to the exchange of information. A noticeable shortcoming of this developing literature is the lack of scholarly attention focused specifically on analytic personnel. The present study employs semi-structured interviews with 23 personnel that comprise the analytic unit within a regional fusion center located in a large metropolitan area in the United States. Findings indicate that there is significant ambiguity surrounding the organizational and geographic audiences to which intelligence products should be tailored. Moreover, it appears information sharing is sparse and reliant upon personal relationships between analysts and external organizations. Lastly, analysts do not receive feedback pertaining to the content and effectiveness of intelligence products created. These findings may be generalized to other analytical organizations whose primary goal is to gather, analyze and disseminate intelligence. Action steps for policymakers are provided.
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    The Utility of Fusion Centres to Enhance Intelligence-Led Policing: An Exploration of End-Users
    (Oxford, 2018-06) Lewandowski, Carla; Carter, Jeremy G.; Campbell, Walter L.; School of Public and Environmental Affairs
    A developing literature on intelligence-led policing (ILP) and law enforcement fusion centres contends that intelligence and data-driven policing practices can be enhanced through improved intelligence dissemination from fusion centres. The literature has remained relatively silent on the extent to which law enforcement has connectivity with fusion centres, perceive fusion centre products to be useful, and further share intelligence products within their agency. The present study informs this knowledge gap using data gathered via an online survey of law enforcement subscribed to receive fusion centre products. Bivariate logistic regression models showed that rural agencies tend to be the most informed about the fusion centre of study while a disconnect was observed between the fusion centre with respect to frontline personnel and analysts; especially in urban police, health, and fire organizations. Implications for research and practice are discussed.