Strategic Intelligence Management for Combating Crime and Terrorism

In this chapter we propose a conceptual framework for use by Law Enforcement Agencies when developing methodologies to best strategically manage intelligence in the context of crime and terrorism detection and prevention. Conceptually we define strategic intelligence management as: "A term that reflects an evaluable framework for a complex matrix of individual or collective mental constructs (thoughts, visions, ideas, insights, learning processes, experiences, goals, expertise, values, perceptions, and expectations) held by individuals that provides specific guidance for specific actions in pursuit of particular ends. This includes the rationale for the steps and stages of the methodology and the user’s goals and objectives, which should reflect the methodology's overall goals and objectives. Therefore for the purposes of this chapter we extend Akhgar's (1999) definition of KM and define it in the SIM context as: "a process of creating value added Learning Processes (i.e. knowledge) so that knowledge becomes the strategic resource of a law enforcement agency with measurable and quantifiable value in successfully combating a crime or act of terrorism". From this we propose a conceptual template for the construction of a methodology (CTCM) in this domain and consider its application in an example case.