Browsing by Subject "fusion center"

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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    Law Enforcement Fusion Centers: Cultivating an Information Sharing Environment while Safeguarding Privacy
    (Springer, 2016) Carter, Jeremy G.; Carter, David L.; School of Public and Environmental Affairs
    The national network of fusion centers, of which there are currently 78 nationwide, was created in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and continue to play an integral role in contemporary law enforcement. Their mission, put simply, is to facilitate information sharing across disparate agencies and organizations. Despite a significant presence within the law enforcement landscape, fusion centers have received relatively minimal scholarly attention. This limited literature alludes to operational challenges and public concerns that inhibit fusion center effectiveness. More specifically, little information is known about how fusion centers develop relationships with external partners as well as institute mechanisms to safeguard against violations of individual privacy. The present research employs a combination of national survey data and three in-depth case studies of fusion centers in Florida, Nevada, and Michigan to provide initial answers to these questions. Implications for improved policy and practice are discussed.
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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.