Comparative Analysis: NYPD & DHS - Homegrown Terrorism”:
Richard A. Myers
HSM421: Research & Analysis in Homeland Security (CAI1325A)
Instructor: Dawn Brown
July 8, 2013

This paper will serve as a comparative analysis on the research techniques between The New York Police Department (NYPD) Radicalization Report of May 2007, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Right-wing Extremism Report of April 2009. The NYPD introduces a framework supporting the progression of impressionable, alienated individuals in the United States progressing into radical extreme Islam with the propensity for terrorism. The DHS takes a look back in comparison to the 1990s and the similar factors that may be influencing a potential rise in activity and recruiting of white supremacy groups and militias.
The New York Police Department Intelligence Division explored the extreme Islamic radicalization process of “unremarkable” individuals living in the West since September 11, 2001. The NYPD compared and assessed cases from the Madrid attack of March 2004, Amsterdam’s Hofstad Group, London attack of July 2005 to The Toronto 18 Case, discussing the reference points of the al-Qaeda inspired ideology against the homegrown terrorism cases of Lackawana, New York, Portland Oregon, Northern Virginia, New York City’s Herald Square Subway, and The AL Muhajiroun Two of New York City. The NYPD analyzed the framework; pre-radicalization, self-identification, indoctrination to full blown jihadization which projects individuals from common citizen to jihadists attacking their cities of origin. Through expert reporting and analysis, they touch on the pace of the process, influential radical Imams, the efficiency of clandestine groups, schools, prisons and tools like the internet to recruit and gather like-minded groups, and “clean skins” for support, mentoring, and the slow build to conduct jihad. The NYPD show the importance of continued intelligence operation and how post-September 11 militant ideology underpins the West homegrown threat (Silber, Bhatt, 2007). A quantitative research approach was taken in comparing the results of overseas incidents and the domestic actions, however a qualitative view is to be had through the utilization of experts interviewing and observing more intricate aspects of the scenes. Not only were the reporting of each comparable case assessed, and outside experts such as Brian Michael Jenkins of the Rand Corporation, and Criminologist Alain Bauer of Sorbonne University consulted, but NYPD’s own detectives and analysts were sent to the cities and scenes of the attacks to interview the law enforcement, intelligence, and academic officials involved, for a better understanding of the specifics of each event. The evidence of each case studied and compared against the framework seems to support the conclusion and analysis that well-adjusted individuals, can progress through to jihadization, and remain integrated into society, leaving intelligence and law enforcement the challenge of deciphering the indicators and pre-empting the jihadist act. The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (DHS/I&A) has attempted to draw a compelling argument in the perceived rise in homegrown terrorism. A range and combination of environmental factors, such as immigration, tighter restrictions on firearms, an unstable economy, election of the first African American to the office of President, and the influence of other countries are giving rise specifically to white supremacists and militia movements. Much of the research was based on past experience, in comparison to the environment of the 1990s. A qualitative research approach is indicated, mainly due to the study of social phenomena during the two periods, and the projected results or assumptions made by the comparisons. Most information was based on the past experience of the 1990s. There were mentions of arrests of individuals and small groups by authorities in association with terrorist threats. U.S. manufacturing moving to China, and India was stated in reference the influence of other counties having a bearing on our perceived decline in power. The FBI was noted as a source for reports on disgruntled military veterans joining white supremacist groups and being associated with extremist groups (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2009). The report appeared to be supported by history; however, it left open the possibility of one’s subjective interpretation. Most facts were vague and were not substantiated by researchable sources. In my view the NYPD report provided the best in depth and analytical research. It cited many sources and expert opinions, as opposed to the report by the DHS which referred to their Intelligence and Analysis Division which from the beginning of the report stated it had no specific data to support all of the claims, but instead, almost as if to offer conjecture of the influences and emergent issues causing rightwing extremists recruitment. There were certainly worthwhile components of each work, but the DHS was more of a history lesson, whereas the NYPD introduced a different perspective in the research and backed it not only by history but with field study by investigators and intelligence professionals. Both studies could benefit by a bit more empirical research, or peer reviewed data, more so in the case of the DHS report. The NYPD may be more effective with the interjection of more detailed findings from the experts who were working the incidents when they happened. Overall, I do agree with the analysis of both reports. The NYPD was more convincing in their results, and was better at citing reliable sources which backed the information gathered. The proof for most of the data reported by the DHS was in our history itself and is still vulnerable to interpretation.

References
Brians, C. L., &Willnat, L., &Manheim, J. B., &Rich, a. R. C. Empirical Political Analysis for Ashford University (8th ed). Pearson Learning Solutions. Retrieved from http://online.vitalsource.com/books/9780558770730/outline/4
Silber, M. D., Bhatt, A. (2007, May 2). Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat.
Retrieved from http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/pub/content/ada9f384-17b7-4ce4-8012-0e8c283ebb79/HSM_421_WA_3_NYPD_Report_Radicalization_in_the_West.pdf
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2009, April 7). Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment. Retrieved from http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/pub/content/0c46f06a-9310- 4e34-bb88-dd434c823e6b/HSM_421_WA3_DHS_Right_wing_Extremism_report.pdf