Challenges of leading groups in a criminal justice organization

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Challenges Ahead

Globalization and scientific and technological advances are overarching trends that will affect

virtually every aspect of the Justice Department 's work in the years ahead especially in the criminal justice

arena , in administering the immigration laws , or in ensuring competitive practices in the new global

economy . Some of the specific challenges that confronts the justice organization today includes the area of

terrorism , drug trafficking , violence , crime and other civil rights violation

First on terrorism , the terrorist incidents like what happened in the United

States have been on the

rise , beginning with the bombings of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Murrah Federal

Building in Oklahoma City . The attacks of September 2001 demonstrated the Nation 's vulnerability to such

crimes and the need to strengthen its defenses against them . Improved transportation and

telecommunications technologies and rapid advances in the miniaturization of electrical and mechanical

devices make it easier for both amateurs and sophisticated organizations to plan and carry out attacks on

people and property . At the same time , possible attacks on information infrastructures and the emerging

threats of chemical , biological , radiological , and nuclear weapons make the potential consequences of

terrorism more horrible

We must do more to understand the tools and methodologies employed by extremists and how

radicalization occurs , and offer alternative messages . Mobilizing citizenss to spread good will in their

communities will help reduce receptivity to radical and violent behavior . Terrorists continue to target

vulnerabilities in our transportation sectors . We must improve air land , sea , and b security to counter

those who wish to enter the United States illegally

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We must increase the resilience and security of our critical infrastructure , especially our

transportation systems , to reduce national vulnerabilities and deny terrorists targets

We will continue to improve law enforcement capability , including greater and more effective collection

and reporting of intelligence , without encroaching on the privacy and civil liberties of the citizens , to

interdict terrorists before they strike the Homeland

The worldwide drug trafficking is an imminent danger . The supply and trafficking of illegal drugs

into the different countries continue to be fueled by a number of international and transnational drug

trafficking organizations , many of which have amassed vast financial resources , are well-organized

extremely sophisticated , and use deadly violence to further their criminal aims . Despite successes against

the Cali and Medellin cartels for example , a diverse group of smaller more specialized and entrepreneurial

Colombian drug rings and Mexican and Caribbean transportation organizations has emerged to fill the void

left by their collapse

Next is violence . It is still far too prevalent in our communities Young people are especially at

risk , both as potential victims and perpetrators of violent acts Ordinary citizens and residents are the victims

of violent crime . Firearms are used in about one-fourth of all violent crimes--and 65 percent of all homicides

based on the statistics . In the news about 30 percent of all female murder victims are killed by their intimate

partners

There is also white collar or economic crimes that quietly attacking our society . With the

information technology revolution , opportunities for white collar crime increase . White collar crime inflicts

both financial and social costs . Health care fraud , for example , not only siphons off billions of dollars paid

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out for fraudulent claims but also may disguise inadequate and improper treatment of patients , posing a

threat to the health and safety of our people . I believe antitrust violations harm the individual consumers

and environmental crimes threaten our natural world , including the air we breathe and the water we drink

Substance abuse and crime posed also a challenge to solve by our Justice authorities . Research

indicates that there is a clear connection between substance abuse and crime . In 1997 , three-quarters of U .S

state for example and federal prison inmates reported being involved with alcohol or drug abuse in the time

leading up to their arrest . More than 36 percent of all convicted adult offenders under the jurisdiction of

probation authorities , prisons , jails , or parole agencies in 1996 had been drinking at the time of their offense

Of special concern for the future is the continuing and regular use of drugs by a minority of "hard

core " users who are criminally involved . For the many offenders likely to be returning to their communities

in the coming years , breaking the cycle between substance abuse and crime is critical to increasing their

chances of successful reintegration

We will include the immigration as one of the challenges faced by leading groups in a criminal

justice organization . The increasing ease of worldwide transportation and communications , as well as the

globalization of the economy , are adding to immigration pressures Whether to work , study , seek refuge

from persecution , or simply visit , we can expect more and more people will enter each countries lawfully

Providing high quality customer service to these many lawful immigrants will be a significant challenge . At

the same time , we can expect that many persons will attempt to cross countries illegally . Controlling our

bs , thwarting organized alien smuggling rings , and identifying and deporting those here illegally

especially those who commit crimes , will continue to be top priorities

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Not the least challenge to our law officers is the civil rights or the hate crimes . The increasing racial

cultural , and ethnic diversity of our society emphasizes that the civil rights of all citizens must be

protected . This includes combating those crimes that are motivated by hatred against a particular group

promoting mutual tolerance and ensuring that the institutions of justice are themselves fair , impartial , and

free of bias

We are engaged in a war against a violent extremist movement driven by an ideology that threatens

the basic aspirations of all people everywhere . Though our international partners and we have made great

strides in this War on Terror , the challenges before us are formidable Although its leaders and their

safe havens and resources are increasingly isolated and besieged al-Qaida and its affiliates and groups

adhering to its ideology continue to plan attacks and continue to seek weapons of mass destruction . Unlike

conventional enemies , terrorists do not fight on a defined battlefield They are found throughout the world

even in countries that are friendly to us . We must therefore help other states to strengthen their will and

ability to bring the fight to the enemy . We must continue to use all instruments of national power and

influence in the War on Terror : diplomatic , information , military economic , financial , intelligence , and law

enforcement

We as people rightfully look to our present government , and specifically the Department of

Justice , to provide leadership in meeting these alarming challenges

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References

Marten , K .C (1st Ed (2004 . Enforcing the Peace : Learning From the Imperial Past

New York : Columbia Univ . Press

Mueller , J (1st Ed (2004 ) The Remnants of War . Ithaca Cornell University Press

Paris , R (1st Ed (2004 .Building Peace After Civil Conflict . Cambridge : Cambridge

University Press ...