Becoming a Safer Nation is an Incremental Process

By Dennis Lormel

With the somber remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the question is always posed “are we safer now then before 9/11?” The invariable answer is we are safer, but not safe. We’re not safe because we are an open society that is easily exploitable. One reason why we are safer is how the government has evolved.

The counterterrorism landscape in the government has changed dramatically and for the better. Initially, I was not a proponent for creation of the position of Director of National Security. I have since changed my view and believe we have a stronger intelligence community and infrastructure as a result. Our intelligence agencies are more cohesive and coordinated then ever before. Many functions for information sharing and analysis have been developed at the federal, state and local levels creating an environment in which officials charged with protecting us are better positioned to perform their duties. This transition is a work in progress and has been since 9/11. In essence, it’s an incremental process. We must measure the community capabilities in the same manner, incrementally. Even though we’ve made progress, there is need for significant improvement to this emerging intelligence environment. As long as the incremental maturation process continues improvements will be made.

Because of the incremental advances and the ability to better share information, provide training, gain experience, conduct better quality investigations and most importantly, to cooperate across agency lines, we are a safer nation. The recent arrests in Germany are a case in point.

On an agency level, after 9/11, most agencies understood that they had to change and do things differently than ever before to meet the enormous challenge. Change is not easy to accept and was difficult in coming, but it is taking place thanks to the perseverance of leaders like FBI Director Robert Mueller, who has been in place since before 9/11 and who immediately reshaped the FBI. I participated in the transformation at the FBI and witnessed first hand the cultural resistance and reluctance. Director Mueller was undeterred and has overseen a successful series of changes. Much the same can be said about other agencies. The federal agencies understand. They recognize the fact that new methodologies had to be developed and integrated into the changing environment. The agencies also understood that they had to act with a sense of urgency and aggressiveness if they were going to succeed and make us safer.

New and/or aggressive techniques are necessary. Also necessary is ensuring that use of such methodologies does not cross the line of violating civil liberties. Having been in the FBI, I know how serious this was with Director Mueller. We ensured our methodologies were within the framework of the law. The National Security Letter (NSL) issue dealt with administrative, not operational, procedures. Critics over blew this issue. No ones civil rights were violated. That said, there is no justification for what transpired. Much has been made about the increase in the use of NSLs since 9/11. Detractors claim abuse. What they fail to realize is that this was a result of the prioritization of counterterrorism. It demonstrates that the FBI was doing what should have been done and doing it well. Citizens of the U.S. should be reassured that they are safer because the FBI utilized tools such as NSLs. Unfortunately, a federal judge has ruled NSLs unconstitutional. I plan to address this topic in a follow up post. It’s critically important that law enforcement and intelligence agencies be given the tools they need to thwart terrorism.

Civil servants at the federal, state and local level responsible for protecting us from terrorism deserve our appreciation and gratitude. Often times, they work under incredibly adverse conditions and put in untold hours. More often then not, instead of praise, all they receive is criticism. That’s unfortunate because the truth is, we are safer because of their dedication and professionalism. As the 9/11 anniversary passes, I for one want to thank the men and women in all capacities who are responsible for protecting us from terrorism. I also want to thank their families for supporting them and for the sacrifices they’ve made in doing so.

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