I am doing a report of changes inside America after 9/11 and while I discuss this, I am not sure of the complete effects it changes. I had always assumed that they shared information on a hierarchy. All lower groups could access data that was cleared for them, but there would be classified information for the higher ups. Does anyone know anything about this or can you provide links to find more information? I tried google but i havent found what i'm asking for here. Thanks.
2007-10-28 16:17:43 · 4 answers · asked by Alan 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Maybe I should be more clear. The Information that is being shared is on Americans, not foreigners. There was already information sharing on foreigners avaliable to the CIA and FBI. This question is about "Information Sharing on Americans, in America."
2007-10-28 16:30:52 · update #1
Josh D is on the right track, but you gotta go farther, and even with all the right road maps, you can still be wrong.
There's an interdepartmental thing- Let's say Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security are both interested in the same person. The Defense guy can ask the Homeland Security guy what DHS has, but because the two are in different departments, they have to fill out a form and keep it.
Let's say Defense gets a call from the FBI about the same individual. Defense can't share that info with the FBI unless they get approval from the originating department. And let's say the local sheriff asks their FBI contact about the individual- the request has to go back to DHS and let *them* decide if the local sheriff can know what they know.
The details are the devil's domain- which form, who signs, who approves, how long, yadda yadda. The details can overwhelm you. But it's possible, and it's just jumping through burocratic hoops.
You might ask why touch all these bases? Well, I am not a prosecutor, but I'm thinking that a good defense lawyer can ask "So where did you find the info about my client?" and the local sheriff (or the FBI agent) would have to say, "from DHS." And that defense attorney would get all the info thrown out- end of case.
With all that in mind, be aware that people in law enforcement share info all the time. Back-channel communications are the bane of big-shots in every agency. Wanna know something right now? Phone your friend in DC who has a contact in lots of agencies because they're on a task force of some sort and you'll get what you need. If that ever develops into something that could become a case, it's not so hard to make the official enquiries as above.
If you want to get a better picture, contact your local FBI office. They have public relations people who are real agents. IMHO, the goal should be to stop the bad guy, not to make sure you can take your case to court. But that's just an in-the-trenches opinion. Probably wouldn't wash in big conference rooms where everyone has an important-sounding title.
2007-10-28 16:39:21 · answer #1 · answered by going_for_baroque 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason 9/11 occurred was because of lack of communication between departments. It is necessary that they share information with one another. However, competition between departments shouldnt occur, there both trying to protect americans right? The Homeland Security Office was designed for more communication between security departments
2007-10-28 23:24:25 · answer #2 · answered by Coool Kid 08 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These people work for me & i've been told that anything goes that will ptrotect my A**!! So put that in ur pipe & smoke it!!
2007-10-28 23:24:16 · answer #3 · answered by msbrook3 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but they are very competitive and rarley ever will.
2007-10-28 23:20:04 · answer #4 · answered by Strats!! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋