Four Statutes for Homeland's Security Initiatives Essay Example

The US Patriot Act

The events of September 11 frightened and horrified the citizens of the United States, and there was a need to do something to prevent a future terrorist attack in the United States. The different levels of the government such as federal, state and local levels made efforts to increase homeland security (HS) and counterterrorism (CT) (Baum (2016). The event of September 11 made the law enforcement agencies (LEA) to consider terrorist intimidation to be high for their authority where the government shifted interior funds and also improved departmental expenditure with an objective of improving security. Other goals included developing CT capabilities and improving the overall level of preparedness which involve radiological, chemical, explosive and nuclear incidents (Smith, 2015). After the event, there were pertinent federal and legislative references for implementing the current array of homeland security-related initiatives.

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The Legal Definition of Terrorism

The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 defines terrorism as the activities which are violent and dangerous and violate the criminal laws of the United States or any other state (Combs, 2017). The acts also include the criminal violation when the crime is committed within the boundaries of the United States or any other state. The objectives of such criminal statutes are to coerce and intimidate the civilian population, affect the government's conduct through mass destruction, kidnapping and assassination; and also to influence government's policy through coercion and intimidation. The definition also includes domestic terrorism. The concept of terror is not new, and it has existed over centuries for some reasons.

Four Statutes for Homeland's Security Initiatives

Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (2001)

The Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security operate to defend and secure the borders of the United States. The two departments initiated the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2001 to assist in sustaining the increased damages of post-September, 11 emergencies and disasters. The act helped in the establishment of standards and enforcing compliance with the established standards. The act was also vital in securing and physically protecting critical infrastructure during an emergency and also routinely. The Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense perform the two essential roles to achieve the protective task as a national security goal of critical infrastructure protection.

Homeland Security Grant Program

The program is essential in implementing the National Preparedness System (NPS) through providing support in the sustenance, building, and provision of fundamental competences which are critical in accomplishing the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of maintaining an irrepressible and secure nation. The program provides allowable cost support efforts which are essential in sustaining and building the central capabilities across mitigation, protection, response and recovery mission areas. These include enhancing and maturation of significant state and urban fusion centers, and building and sustaining the prevention capabilities of law enforcement terrorism.

According to Baum (2016), the Homeland Security Grant Program consists of State Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG). The grant programs provide funding that helps in the preparation of activities such as organization, planning, purchasing equipment, exercises, training and administration and management across all the critical capabilities and mission areas. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 also mandated the Department of Homeland Security to protect critical infrastructure and prevent terrorism, arrange for and react to terrorism, catastrophe, and other emergencies, and also reduce vulnerability to terrorism (Baum, 2016.

IC composition (Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004)

The government of the United States endorsed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 as a response to the terror attack of September 11, 2001. Marine Senator, Susan Collins introduced the act, and President George W. Bush signed it. Smith (2017) explains that the act created the position of the Civil Liberties Protection officer and also laid out the duties and responsibilities of the created position. The act also created Privacy and Civil Liberty Officers with their designated functions. Among the functions included issuing periodic reports on the state of security, reprisal for making a complaint, cooperating with other agencies, coordination, and supervision of activities with the inspector general and also periodically conducting investigations (Smith (2017).

ISE composition Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004

Walby and Lippert (2015) explain that the IRTPA (2004) managed to address various aspects through gathering the required information and also conducting intelligence investigations in the United States. Smith (2017) elucidates the scope of the IRTPA to include reform of the intelligence community, security clearances, Federal Bureau of Investigation, border protection, visa, and immigration matters, preventing terrorism, and implementing the recommendations of 9/11 recommendations. Walby and Lippert (2015) further explain that the IRTPA enacted the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). There are also other areas such as the Department of Homeland Security which works to safeguard the civic liberties and civic rights of persons are not lessened by accomplishments, programs, and efforts intended to secure the United States. The information sharing environment (ISE) enabled the facilitation of sharing vital terrorism information which is appropriate for enhancing security. Tinnes (2015) assert that the composition of information sharing environment includes systems, individuals, projects, and agencies which strengthen the sharing of responsible information across all the national security organs. Information Sharing Environment also improves countrywide decision making through transforming from ownership of information to stewardship of information. The ISE also promotes partnerships across tribal, state, federal and local governments both internationally and in the private sector.

References

Baum, C. A. (2016). DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. Clinical Research, 93, 93-333.

Combs, C. C. (2017). Terrorism in the twenty-first century. Routledge.Smith, J. M. (2017). A Catalyst for Enhancing Intelligence Analysis: The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Gonz. J. Int'l L., 21, 1.

Smith, P. J. (2015). The terrorism ahead: Confronting transnational violence in the twenty-first century. Routledge.Tinnes, J. (Ed.). (2015). Bibliography: Homegrown Terrorism and Radicalisation. Perspectives on Terrorism, 9(6), 119-153.

Walby, K., & Lippert, R. K. (2015). The difference in homeland security makes: Comparing municipal corporate security in Canada and the United States. Security Dialogue, 46(3), 238-255.