9/11 Impact On Law Enforcement Essay

674 Words3 Pages

On September 11th, 2001, the United States witnessed the deadliest day in law enforcement when 72 officers were killed while responding to the attacks of the World Trade Center. Due to this attack, impacts and demands for change devastated law enforcement. This overwhelming attack redirected priorities to the United States, our government, and our law enforcement agencies. Homeland security, information systems, and security related implications became the forefront of change for state and local policing. Not only have tactics, and trainings been changed since this event, we have also established new measures have been written and passed; these would include the Patriot Act and Homeland Security. Shortly after 9/11, US Congress approved the …show more content…

According to the Department of Justice, in their Patriot Act section, this act allows investigators to use the tools that were already available to investigate organized crime and drug trafficking. This allows law enforcement to use surveillance against crime, and allows law enforcement to investigate without terrorists fleeing, or destroying evidence. This act also created better information sharing among government agencies so that they can communicate more efficiently in order to uncover terrorist plots before they are completed. It has succeeded in its intention to share information within the FBI and local law enforcement. One of the greatest things that this act enabled was that it allowed the law to be updated in order to reflect new technologies. These updates allow law enforcement to obtain a search warrant anywhere where terrorist may be activity happening. Lastly, the Patriot Act increased the penalties for those who have committed terrorist crimes (DOJ). Anyone who harbors a terrorist, or the terrorist themselves face maximum penalties. The Patriot Act has “substantially enhanced our ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute acts of terror”