Describe how the intelligence cycle works, and how it is affected by the operational style of law enforcement

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

One way to conceptualize the difference between information and intelligence is to think of information as raw data; once those data have been placed through various filters, sieves, and other analytical processes, the more meaningful or useful bits of data that are extracted are referred to as intelligence. The process of extracting intelligence from raw data is referred to as the intelligence cycle. The cycle begins with knowing the intelligence requirements needed for an investigation. The second step—planning and direction—is a function of the FBI and is led by the executive assistant director of the National Security Branch. The third step is collecting raw information from local, state, and federal investigations. The fourth step is processing and exploiting the raw information into a form usable by analysts. The fifth step is analysis and production, which converts the raw information into intelligence. The final step is dissemination of intelligence to consumers, who make decisions based on the intelligence.

The difficult tasks of counterterrorism and antiterrorism are made even harder by the operational style that pervades law enforcement—that of withholding, rather than sharing, intelligence. A major step in improving the sharing of information is the appointment of a new assistant secretary in DHS to serve as a liaison between state and local law enforcement and DHS policymakers—an important position in the policy directorate.