What role should state and local law enforcement play in the fight against terrorism and cyber-crimes today? How should we evaluate the success or failure of U.S. policy on terrorism? What, if any, legal rights should terrorist suspects have in terms of access to legal counsel, protection from abuse while detained and questioned, and the harsh conditions of their detention?
Reply 1
State and local law enforcement play a very important role because they are often the first contact that is made with a potential terrorist or cyber criminal. Some offenses can be handled at the state and local level (investigation and prosecution), but some larger offenses such as mass terrorism plots, or cyber fraud in the millions of dollars, can be forwarded to the FBI or whichever federal agency is appropriate to handle it. Some investigations go directly to federal agencies (and never cross paths with local law enforcement) due to surveillance, confidential informants, tips, and other reasons. But it is still important that state and local law enforcement is the front line for these investigations. I think the success/failure of US terrorism policy since 9/11 should be measured by the terrorism incidents since then. We have had no massive terrorism incidents on US soil since 9/11, and we have had numerous incidents which were foiled by investigators (Katulis & Juul, 2021).
Sure, there have been some incidents such as the Boston Marathon bombing, and San Bernardino, but I truly believe we can never stop every single threat without a full seizure of our liberties (which should not happen). This leads me to believe intelligence agencies are sharing information better and thwarting threats. I also believe the passage of the homeland security act after 9/11 was a good thing because it got more federal agencies (that are important to national security) under the same umbrella which makes information sharing better (Mays & Ruddell, 2018). I believe terrorism suspects that we have in our custody on US soil should be afforded the same rights and protections as regular inmates in our custody, (4th, 5th, 6th, 8th amendment rights, etc.). They should be afforded the same living conditions as regular inmates in our jails and prisons. This should be the same for military confinement, etc. Where I feel they should not be afforded the same protections is when there is an imminent threat to live due to a likely terrorism plot. For example if there is credible information that the suspect is part of a plot which could lead to another 9/11 type incident, they should be allowed to be interrogated without an attorney and without protection from self incrimination, in order to save lives.