Affiliations and Associations
select Organizations surrounding Privacy and Civil Liberties
The following membership associations, non-profits, and private sector groups offer “best practices” or networking opportunities that will be of interest to the staff of the fusion centers and others working in the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Resources or activities related to privacy, civil rights or civil liberties issues are noted.
Privacy and Civil Liberties Organizations | State and Local Government | Law Enforcement | Other (fire, all hazards, private sector)
Privacy and Civil Liberties Organizations
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – The ACLU is a national non-profit, advocacy and membership organization with a mission to “preserve the protections and guarantees” of the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights and “to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights.” “The ACLU has an affiliate in every state and Puerto Rico” that “handle[s] requests for legal assistance, lobby the state legislature and host public forums.”
Some fusion centers have involved ACLU state affiliates in the development or vetting of the fusion center’s privacy/civil liberties policy. The national ACLU monitors fusion center activities and has filed “friend of the court” briefs in cases involving fusion centers. The ACLU also has issued reports on fusion center activities.
Electronic Privacy Information Center – EPIC is a public interest research center in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1994 to “focus public attention on emerging civil liberties issues and to protect privacy, the First Amendment, and constitutional values.”
- Information Fusion Centers and Privacy – EPIC maintains a web page that addresses fusion center issues. The page includes background information, articles, online resources, and legislation regarding fusion centers and privacy.
- Privacy.org – This joint project of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and Privacy International provides synopses and links to news, articles, and other publications that address privacy issues, including fusion center issues.
State and Local Government
Governors’ Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) – The Council was created by National Governors Association’s (NGA) Center for Best Practices in June 2006 to facilitate the sharing of homeland security information and expertise among the homeland security directors from each State and territory. The Council brings together the top state homeland security officials to:
- inform the work of the NGA Center for Best Practices “by sharing ideas and best practices, identifying emerging issues, and reviewing and analyzing the impacts of Federal homeland security activities on the states; and
- inform the governors of the impacts of Federal homeland security legislation, regulations, and policies on the states.”
This site contains a list of publications discussing homeland security and technology issues. (Click “All Sub-Issue Publications” in the Homeland Security and Technology section, then choose the “Homeland Security & Technology” section.) GHSAC meets twice yearly and hosts online forums. However, one must be a member to access these forums.
National Governors Association (NGA) – The National Governors Association—the bipartisan organization of the nation’s governors—“promotes visionary state leadership, shares best practices and speaks with a unified voice on national policy.” The NGA addresses many issues affecting states, including criminal information sharing. A list of the NGA’s policy positions on various issues can be found by clicking on “Policy Positions” under the “Special Features” tab. NGA and GHSAC (above) publish an on-line newsletter, which is updated every Thursday, and offers information on NGA work and best practices. A new initiative in 2009 involves piloting the development of state privacy/civil liberties policies in four states.
National Association of State Chief Information Officers – State Chief Information Officers may be a resource for some fusion centers. Of particular interest to state efforts in the information sharing environment is the document, “Keeping Citizen Trust: What Can A State CIO Do To Protect Privacy?” (October 2006) (18 pp. PDF).
United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) – The Conference of Mayors is “the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more.” Each city’s mayor represents it in the Conference, where they seek to “promote the development of effective national urban/suburban policy, strengthen federal-city relationships… and create a forum in which mayors can share ideas and information.” Although not specific to Fusion Centers, the website addresses relevant civil and human rights issues (click “Legislation & Programs”, then “Legislation”, then “Civil & Human Rights”).
Law Enforcement
International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) – IALEIA describes itself as “the largest professional organization in the world representing law enforcement analysts.” They seek to facilitate understanding of the role of intelligence analysts and provide standards and training for analysts all over Canada and the United States. In order to access training, one must be a member of IALEIA. Applications can be found online.
National Sheriffs Association (NSA) – The NSA is a non-profit organization “dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among those in the criminal justice field.” The NSA addresses many issues of interest to its members, including petitioning to improve first responder participation at Fusion Centers (2 pp. PDF).
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) – The International Association of Chiefs of Police is the “world’s oldest and largest nonprofit membership organization of police executives, with over 20,000 members in over 89 different countries.” The IACP also provides an annual conference and information to its members on topics of interest, including fusion center issues.
Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC) – “MCCA membership is comprised of the Chiefs of the sixty-four largest police departments in the United States and Canada. The association serves these departments, and all of American law enforcement in the more general sense….”
Major County Sheriffs Association (MCSA) – “The Major County Sheriffs’ Association (MCSA) is a professional law enforcement association of elected sheriffs representing counties or parishes with 500,000 population or more.” “The MCSA is available to provide technical assistance in conjunction with the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Major Cities Chiefs, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Training Division, the National Executive Institute, and other private or public research entities.”
Other Affiliations and Associations
All Hazards Consortium (AHC) – The AHC’s “mission is to help create new resources and funding opportunities for the states to support regional multi-state collaboration efforts among our stakeholders from government, private sector, higher education and non-profit/volunteer organizations…” The Consortium offers regional advisory committees, working groups, and ad hoc committees. One working group deals with information sharing and intelligence and focuses on Fusion Centers. (To access information on all eight working groups, click on “Advisory Committees” then “Working Groups”.) Under the Resources tab, a variety of white papers and presentations can be found, relating to issues such as Fusion Centers and information systems.
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) – “The International Association of Fire Chiefs represents the leadership of over 1.2 million firefighters and emergency responders.” Members work in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. The website discusses the formation of the National Hazardous Materials Fusion Center (currently under “What’s Hot” section on the index page).
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) – NACCHO is the national organization representing local health departments. It “provides resources, tools, and assistance” to local health departments in the areas of health and disease prevention, people and their environment, infrastructures and systems, and readiness to respond to emergencies. NACCHO sponsors conferences each year, including one in September of 2008 that featured a discussion of Fusion Centers and their technology.
Private Sector –
- Domestic Security Alliance Council (DSAC) – DSAC is a partnership between the FBI and the U.S. private sector, formed to enhance communications and promote timely and effective exchange of information.
- Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) – “OSAC is a Federal Advisory Committee with a U.S. Government Charter to promote security cooperation between American business and private sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State. OSAC currently encompasses the 34-member core Council, an Executive Office, over 100 Country Councils, and more than 3,500 constituent member organizations and 372 associates.” The objectives of the Council as outlined in the Charter are: to establish continuing liaison and to provide for operational security cooperation between State Department security functions and the Private Sector; to provide for regular and timely interchange of information between the Private Sector and the State Department concerning developments in the overseas security environment; to recommend methods and provide material for coordinating security planning and implementation of security programs; and to recommend methods to protect the competitiveness of American businesses operating worldwide