The Construct of Measuring Police Emergency Response to Terrorism & Police Technologies

Presentation given at the American Society of Criminology Conference, Washington D.C.

September 11, 2001 may seem like a short while ago in American history. However, efforts by law enforcement for expanding terrorism preparedness, as well technologies available to them, have dramatically changed in the last decade. Even though academic research has been completed in the past, the evolution of law enforcement by its very nature requires academics to continue researching these areas. In this study, we will construct a survey designed to measure law enforcement agencies’ terrorism preparedness and technologies within the United States. The survey questions will focus on the issues of law enforcement policy and consistency of these policies between agencies. Areas that will be touched on will include, but may not be limited to: training, funding, equipment, and contingency plans. Implementation of this measuring device will inform further academic research, as well as the law enforcement community.