NCJ Number
59776
Date Published
1979
Length
31 pages
Annotation
CRISIS MANAGEMENT OF TERRORIST INCIDENTS, INVOLVING AN INFORMATION EXCHANGE AMONG ALL LEVELS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY, IS NECESSARY TO CONFRONT THE MULTIFACETED THREAT OF TERRORISTIC ACTIVITIES.
Abstract
TERRORISM HAS NEVER BEEN ADEQUATELY DEFINED TO THE SATISFACTION OF ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS MANAGEMENT. TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF TERRORISM IN REGARD TO LAW ENFORCEMENT'S CONTROL OF THE SITUATION, TERRORISM IS DEFINED AS 'A CRIMINAL ACT IN VIOLATION OF SPECIFIC FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL STATUTES, WHICH CASUSES A PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTION OF INTENSE FEAR IN THE VICTIM(S) AND IS INTENDED TO INTIMIDATE, COERCE, DEMORALIZE OR INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT OF THE CIVILIAN POPULATION.' IN LIGHT OF THIS DEFINITION, A NUMBER OF TRENDS EMERGE: (1) THE DEGREE OF VIOLENCE DURING A TERRORIST INCIDENT IS INCREASING AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE INCIDENTS, (2) TERRORISM IS MOVING INTO THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARENA, AND (3) THE U.S. IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO TERRORISM DUE TO ITS INFLUENTIAL PRESENCE IN THE WORLD ARENA AND ITS LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC ATMOSPHERE. ALTHOUGH U.S. EFFORTS TO MEET THE CURRENT PROBLEM INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF AN ELITE COMMANDO UNIT--PROJECT BLUE LIGHT--TO DEAL WITH TERRORIST INCIDENTS INVOLVING U.S. CITIZENS OR PROPERTY ABROAD, CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY LAW ALL BUT RULE OUT MILITARY PARTICIPATION IN DOMESTIC TERRORIST INCIDENTS. NUMEROUS COURT CASES AND SECTIONS OF THE U.S CODE ARE CITED TO POINT OUT THE INSTANCES WHEN FEDERAL TROOPS CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN THE DOMESTIC ARENA. IN DEALING WITH ACTS OF TERRORISM, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WHICH HAS JURISDICTION OVER THE PARTICULAR CASE. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AFTER REVIEWING LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS AND DETERMINING JURISDICTIONAL POLICY, SHOULD DEVELOP CLOSER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR STATE AND FEDERAL COUNTERPARTS. MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS, OUTLINING OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY OF A TERRORIST INCIDENT ORIGINATING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND ESCALATING TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL WITH POSSIBLE USE OF FEDERAL TROOPS, WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH BUT VALUABLE AS A COORDINATED FRONT AGAINST TERRORISM. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (WJR)