Reference no: EM133764389

Discussion: The Gathering and Use of Intelligence- Post 9/11

On September 9, 2011, Maryland State Trooper Joseph Cadalano stopped a motorist for speeding in Cecil County, Maryland. The trooper issued the driver a speeding citation and released him - something the trooper had done hundreds, perhaps thousands of times before. What the trooper did not know was that he stopped Ziad Jarrah - one of the hijackers who eventually took control of United Airlines Flight 93 and died when passengers on the flight fought back. There is much speculation whether the Maryland state trooper could have prevented part of the 9/11 attacks or provided enough of a disruption to alter the remaining elements of the attack. Given the fact that Jarrah was not on any type of watch list and was in the United States legally, the chances of Trooper Cadalano being able to disrupt all or part of the 9/11 plot are negligible at best.

However, this contact prompted calls for change in how local law enforcement can access and use information regarding terror watch list. Review the information in Chapter 3 of your text book and provide a reference-supported assessment the current use of law enforcement intelligence. With regarding to the prevention of terrorism and criminal activity, has the use of law enforcement intelligence become more of an asset or liability since 9/11? In what areas has the use of intelligence proven effective? In what areas are there improvements needed as to confront future threats while maintaining civil liberties and constitutional protections?