Introduction to Terrorism Assignment 2

  

For this graded project, you’ll read pages 11–36 of

Edges of Radicalization

by Scott Helfstein. 

Helfstein(https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep05592 ?refreqid=excelsior%3A9bb020cdd37f893cb5f503a4c0d3706a) argues that the radicalization of terrorists results from ideological beliefs interacting with social behaviors, producing common characteristics that may be supportive of conceptual profiles. There’s much debate in the academic and law enforcement communities as to whether these profiles have a continuing practical value in light of current terrorist activity by “lone wolves.” Helfstein’s analysis will serve as your backdrop in understanding recent terrorist activity and law enforcement’s efforts to address and prevent such activity in the future.

You’ll also choose one other article on terrorism and an article on community policing from the provided library of articles and research material. Each of these articles contains current scholarly thinking about the community’s role in combatting terrorism, the role of law enforcement in fostering community vigilance to report potential terrorist activity and lone wolf terrorism.

You should also use your research skills to locate one additional scholarly article on terrorism or community policing which supports at least one of the tenets in your paper. Make sure you properly cite your source.

This graded project requires that you cite the Edges of Radicalization and at least two other sources from the curated library of reading material.

Article Library

In addition to the Edges of Radicalization, read and cite at least two of the following articles, one for lone wolf terrorism and one for community policing response to terrorism.

• Yonah      Alexander, et al. The Lone      Wolf Terrorist: Past Lessons, Future Outlook, and Response Strategies. Note: You      should use the article by Professor Dean Alexander on pages 32–37 for your      research only if you use this as an additional source.
• International      Association of Chiefs of Police. Using Community Policing to Counter Violent Extremism. Note: If      you use this source, rely on the Key Principles on pages 9–21 for your      research.
• Bart      Schuurman, et al. End of the      Lone Wolf: The Typology that Should Not Have Been. 
• Ahmet      Guler. Fighting      Terrorism Through Community Policing. 

Scenario

You’ve just been asked by your police chief to serve as the department’s community relations officer specializing in terrorism. You’ve built a tremendous relationship with a diverse community, and many of the community leaders have asked that you be appointed to this position. Your assignment will include recommending to the chief ways to effectively establish, maintain, and improve the relationship with the community to prevent and respond to terrorist activities.

You’ll be presenting your ideas to the chief and her executive staff before you release your report to the committee leaders. Be aware that several of the department’s deputy police chiefs have had major clashes with the community leaders on policing strategies that would involve joint efforts of the community and police and may look to derail your ideas.

Instructions

Write a 5- to 6-page essay that includes the following:

• A brief      history of the philosophy of community policing
• The common      problems faced by the ethnic and racial groups of the community.
• Overt      steps that can be taken by the department to establish relationships with      the community to identify possible terrorist targets and actors.
• Strategies      for building realistic and functional partnerships with the community as      they relate to terrorism.
• Efforts      that should be instituted to install sensitivity training for all police officers.
• Methods      for directly bringing the public and the police together to report      suspicious activity prior to actual terrorist acts.
• A clear      and direct line of communication between citizens and senior staff in the      department
• Terrorism      prevention strategies to be implemented in partnership with the community,      with specific reference to lone wolf terrorists.

Support your narrative with examples and/or illustrations. Be sure to cite your sources in APA format.

Remember, you must include Edges of Radicalization and at least two other sources from the article library. You’re free to conduct additional research and cite additional sources.