Joint Interagency Task Force-Illicit Trafficking: Enhancing the Interagency Organizational Framework for Operations Along the Southwest Border
Abstract
The United States (U.S.) 2,000-mile porous southwest border (SWB) and Mexico s ongoing drug war present significant challenges for U.S. law enforcement agencies. Mexico s drug war and its spillover crime and violence have become more than just a border security problem or an illicit trafficking problem. It has evolved into a national security problem. The law enforcement agencies involved in operations along the SWB have developed and implemented a number of task forces, fusion centers, initiatives, and projects to combat transnational criminal organizations. Their efforts have produced tremendous results. However, problems with information sharing, operational overlap, duplication of effort, and competing strategies impede the effectiveness of the current interagency approach to operations along the SWB. Without question, the national security challenges that the U.S. faces today and will face in the future require interagency, or whole-of-government, solutions. These solutions will require structural and cultural changes within federal agencies. The U.S. Government must adapt its interagency, or whole-of-government, organizational constructs to foster collaboration and unity of effort as well as increase cost-effectiveness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA601391
Entities
People
- Matthew F. Mcdonald
Organizations
- Marine Corps University