Sharing Law Enforcement and Intelligence Information: The Congressional Role
Abstract
Almost all assessments of the attacks of September 11, 2001, have concluded that U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies had failed to share information that might have provided advance warning of the plot. This realization led Congress to approve provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act (P.L. 107-56) and subsequent legislation that removed barriers to information sharing between intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and mandated exchanges of information relating to terrorist threats. Most experts agreed that statutory changes, albeit difficult to enact, were essential to change the approaches taken by executive branch agencies. The barriers that existed prior to September 2001 had a long history based on a determination to prevent government spying on U.S. persons. This had led to the establishment of high statutory barriers to the sharing of law enforcement and intelligence information. The statutes laid the foundation of the so-called wall between intelligence and law enforcement that was buttressed by regulations, Justice Department policies, and guidance from the judicial branch.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 13, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA463801
Entities
People
- Richard A.. Best Jr.
Organizations
- Library of Congress