DHS' Role in State and Local Fusion Centers is Evolving

Improving intelligence gathering and information sharing at all levels of government has been a major concern and priority since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. To promote greater information sharing and collaboration among federal, state, and local intelligence and law enforcement entities, state and local authorities established fusion centers throughout the country. These centers are a collaborative effort of two or more agencies that provide resources, expertise, and information to the center with the goal of maximizing its ability to detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity. In June 2006, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security signed an implementation plan to support state and local fusion centers and designated the Office of Intelligence and Analysis as the executive agent for managing the departments role in the nationwide Fusion Center Initiative. The departments fusion center program is intended to provide information, people, technology, and other resources to fusion centers to create a web of interconnected information nodes across the country. At the request of Representative Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, we assessed whether the Department of Homeland Security is providing adequate oversight and guidance for fusion centers, and what problems and challenges are being encountered as fusion centers develop. Specifically, we determined 1 the extent to which the departments Office of Intelligence and Analysis has been working to coordinate and develop its relationship and role with fusion centers 2 whether fusion center funding and activities are aligned to further the departments mission 3 the merits of detailing Office of Intelligence and Analysis staff to fusion centers and 4 whether the Office of Intelligence and Analysis is successful in back filling positions used to staff fusion centers.