'I am pleased to announce that I have just approved the National [Criminal] Intelligence Sharing Plan, a direct result of recommendations made at the IACP summit held in March of 2002. With the plan formally in place, we can build on the communication, coordination, and cooperation that are winning the fight against crime and the war against terror.'
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, U.S. Department of Justice
Developed by the Global Intelligence Working Group (GIWG) and endorsed by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan ('Plan') is a formal intelligence sharing initiative that addresses the security and intelligence needs recognized after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. It describes a nationwide communications capability that will link together all levels of law enforcement personnel, including officers on the streets, intelligence analysts, unit commanders, and police executives for the purpose of sharing critical data.
'Critical to preventing future terrorist attacks is improving our intelligence capability. The plan will serve as a blueprint as we continue to develop our overall national strategy for sharing information.' Director Robert S. Mueller, III, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Plan Goals
The following goals comprise the GIWG's vision of what the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan should be:
A model intelligence sharing plan
A mechanism to promote the intelligence-led policing
A blueprint for law enforcement administrators to follow
A model for intelligence process principles and policies
A plan that respects and protects individuals' privacy and civil rights
A technology architecture to provide secure, seamless system information sharing
A national model for intelligence training
A plan that leverages existing systems and allows flexibility for advancements
An outreach action plan to promote timely and credible intelligence sharing
'...we must create new ways to share information and intelligence both vertically, between governments, and horizontally, across agencies and jurisdictions. ... efforts with the Global Intelligence Working Group to create a National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan …is a helpful and welcome response.'
U.S. Secretary Tom Ridge U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Plan outlines model policies and standards, guidelines for developing a local law enforcement intelligence function, includes in-depth discussions and recommendations on key implementation issues and barriers, and emphasizes better methods for developing and sharing critical data.
