The Department of Homeland Security - Essay Example

The Department of Homeland Security

Introduction

There are a number of security threats that the world faces. The security threats include cybercrimes, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters. Such security threats are what led to the formation of the department of Homeland Security. This was formed to ensure that the homeland, United States, is safe and secure. They should be secure against terrorism and other hazards that can affect the Americans. The department of Homeland Security was formed in the year 2002. One of the major purposes of formation was to deal with terrorism. There are a number of issues that have come about with regards to the policy and leadership of the department of Homeland Security. This is putting in mind that the main purpose of its formation was to improve security and safeguard the security of the United States. It is responsible for the safety and security of America from disasters like terrorism. To achieve this it has to be given the power to monitor movements at the boarders, immigration and customs. This paper will analyze the functions of the department of Homeland Security. It will have a look at the public affairs and public administration, the models of organization, fabrics of the department and fibers of Homeland Security.

Public affairs and public administration of the department of Homeland Security

The leadership structure of the department of Homeland Security is unique. The head is the Homeland Security secretary who is appointed by the president of the United States of America. Below him is the deputy. At the top of the homeland security secretary is the agencies which form the security department. The next group is the divisions of Homeland Security. The federal government is the one that funds this department. There are a number of changes that have occurred in the department of Homeland Security overtime (Shafritz et al, 167).

Most of the changes can be noticed to have occurred since 9/11. The partners have played a great role in strengthening Homeland Security (Christopher). This is to enable it deal with terrorist threats in a better way. Homeland Security started working directly with local and state leaders, organizations that are community based, law enforcements, international partners and the private sector.

There has been an increase in partnerships from the federal government. The armed forces are one of the partners who degrade the capability of the terrorists to attack the United States ("Strengthening the Homeland Security Enterprise | Homeland Security"). This is made possible with the help from the Central Intelligence Agency and the Director of National Intelligence. The federal watch lists systems have been have also been enhanced by the federal administration. The Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigations are the partners who joined the department of Homeland Security. They help in doing investigations that leads to the terrorists being arrested.

An important group that aids Homeland Security department is the private sector. These sectors have brought about changes by ensuring that there is a more effective communication that focuses on sharing information with the department of the department of Homeland Security (Bellavita & Ellen). The private sectors brings changes in the deployment of new technologies in Homeland Security, development of new policies initiative and also programs.

The department of Homeland security has started working with other international partners. This helps in ensuring that strengthening the security of the global trade and the travel f the citizens says Ramsay et al (53). This has helped to enhance security through aviation systems. The last change that has occurred in the department of Homeland Security is the engagement of the public. This has been enabled by the use of campaigns like ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ (Kiltz). They raise public awareness to know the indications of terrorism. They also emphasized on the importance of reporting activities that are suspicious to the authorities that are enforcing laws. Homeland security has placed alert systems that are color coded which provides information that is timely to both the public and private sector. This shows that public administration as a political science and management within the department of Homeland Security (Henry, 88).

There are forces that led to the separation of the department of Homeland Security to stand on its own (Henry, 88). These are overcoming centralization, complacency and politics. This is the division of power between the federal government, state and local governments. This is designed to protect the nation. This enables the use of the local resources to deal with the protection of the area. Complacency is the competition of ensuring the national security is dealt with. This ensures that the nation is one step ahead which is ahead of the terrorists. Homeland Security should aim at dealing with the expectations of the people about security. This was also to avoid the interference of politics. Power is assigned to the different partners in dealing with security. Politics has a number of members ranging from congress members, stakeholders and companies. Furthermore, politics is known in failing to produce good results when it comes to policies.

Models of organization

The study on public affairs and public administration will help create an understanding of the department of Homeland Security as an organization (Van Dooren et al, 46). This will be by looking at four factors in public administration. The first one is Homeland Security as a criminal justice problem. This is how Homeland Security takes terrorism as a crime. Homeland Security looks at terrorism as being a crime through lens of criminal justice. This will help in identifying the characteristics of Homeland Security according to Kiltz (56). According to criminal justice terrorism is seen as a crime that is motivated in a political manner. The offenders are assumed to commit the crime because of political reasons. This shows that Homeland Security should be used to solve criminal justice problems by dealing with law enforcements that are national, local, state and international. It is important to deal with these organizations because their concentration is on the prevention and deterring of crime through the gathering of evidence, determination of the guilt party and the perpetrators being brought to trial. These give Homeland Security options of dealing with problems of terrorism. Homeland Security uses law enforcement agencies to organize to use the criminal justice system. The department reacts to terrorism crimes.

Secondly, Homeland Security is taken as a solution to international relations problems. The department is associated with the national security in the protection of United States. This is putting into considerations the interests of United States and other countries. Homeland Security plays the civilian function in this case says Bellavita (32). This is because it combines domestic efforts of the local, state, federal and private organizations. International relations increase the sectarian of terrorist groups. This is because terrorism is mostly directed to civilians. The primary strategy of Homeland Security is to overlap the strategy of the National Security of US and the strategies of Homeland Security. This aims at the creation and implementation of strategies to deal with security issues. This will serve to promote the interest of the citizens at home and also abroad.

The department of Homeland Security has characteristics that are different from what organizations tend to share. These characteristics can be divided into human and goal based characteristics (Henry, 90). The people who work in the organization are flexible in their thinking according to "5 Characteristics of Homeland Security Majors". This is because the wrong doers like terrorists and hackers seek to find new methods that will help them to bypass the securities measures put in place. This forces the security majors in Homeland to be creative. This enables them to view the world from the point of the killers or thieves.

The second characteristic is to be reacting fast because it is not easy to predict a disaster ("5 Characteristics of Homeland Security Majors"). The security officers need to assess the circumstance as fast as they can when a problem occurs. A plan should be put together quickly by giving each of the officers the roles to be played. The third characteristic is how the roles have pressure. The job brings about stress when the murderers are not caught. Apart from having the pressure, the personnel in Homeland Security need to remain calm. This will enable them to analyze the evidence, be able to reassure the civilians and as a result be able to spot the circumstances that are suspicion. The lives of the people depend on how collected and calm the officials are.

Fourthly, the staffs that work in the department of Homeland Security have clean records ("5 Characteristics of Homeland Security Majors"). This is ensured before a person is hired by having an extensive check on the background of the person. This is because the department deals with information that is classified. People who have been convicted in crimes cannot be employed in the department. The last characteristic is having a mind that is analytical. This will help the officials to collect data and facts from sources like the intelligence agencies, medical facilities and the public. For one to collect such information analytical skills are needed. This enables the officers to make connections on the information that they get. This gives them reasoning power to make decisions on the information they require to create plans for executions.

There are models that are applicable to the department of Homeland Security which are both open and closed models of organization (Felin et al, 917). The model of threat risk is one of them. This is the use of a web application that is secure. Through this Homeland Security will be able to come up with the right controls and produce the correct measures to be taken. This model has five major steps. The first one is the identification of the objectives of the security department. This will be a guide for the whole department. The second one is surveying the application. This will help in determining if the application will help the department. The third one is to decompose the application. The fourth one is to identify the threats. This are the limitations of the application if any would exist like the terrorist being able to trace the communication of the officers using the application. The last one is to identify the vulnerabilities.

Management theory is another model that is applicable to the department of Homeland security. These involve the basic functions and practices of management can help the department of Homeland Security. The department needs to manage disasters through the contribution of management and emergency theories. They should emphasize on the management of emergences and crisis. This should be done while keeping in mind that good planning is what is required. Management theory utilizes the management processes which range from planning, to organizing, to leading and finally controlling (Koontz, 10).

Strategic planning is an important contribution in the management of emergencies. This is because it helps in monitoring the nature of the external forces of the department. Management system theory came about due to the theory of management. A system is usually composed of parts that are dependent which makes them be arranged in a manner that unifies the process of emergency management (Bedeian, 20). This shows that the department of Homeland Security has an interdependent arrangement. How the department works shows the relationship between the existing units. The existing units interact in many different ways for the department to achieve the objectives of the department. This is through the functions and the people who make up the units. In this case the units interrelate in times of dealing with emergencies. They can be able to come up with rules, policies and procedures that could be followed. This will ensure that there is an effective way of responding to the emergencies when they occur. Additionally the units need to work together with the local community, and other public agencies. An example is when a storm occurs the department of Homeland Security will be helped by the Red Cross to provide accommodation to the affected people says Cutter (90). This shows that Homeland Security is an open system thus, being able to adapt to the changes in structures and the process of their units in dealing with a problem. Through the units working together, there will be great achievements compared to when they are working alone.

The two models discussed above have similar features that can be used in running Homeland Security according to Van Doreen et al (168). One of the similar features is planning. Both the models need to be planned in order to know the feature and procedures that should be followed to deal with crimes like terrorism. This provides specific rules to be followed by all the officers of Homeland Security. Both the models involve the identification of the threats in order to know the right course of action to be taken. This is by Homeland Security and the other agencies that are involved with the security matter. The two models show that the department of Homeland Security should have to make plans in dealing with disaster management.

Apart from the similarities the models have differences says Van Doreen et al (168). The threat risk model identifies the vulnerabilities. It also identifies the threat and uses web applications in doing this. On the other hand, management theory makes uses of all the processes of management. The plan that Homeland Security will choose should be strategic to effectively respond to the emergencies. This aids in organizing on how the work should be undertaken. This also offers the measures that should be used to control the officers and the plan to deal with crimes and emergencies like terrorism.

The combination of the two models will help the department of Homeland Security in executing its services (Henry, 92). The two modes combined will offer guidelines and plans to the department. This will be by the use of web application and making sure that the criminals will not be able to access the communications taking pace in the web. This will provide a method of communicating effectively. This will enable Homeland Security come up with a plan to organize and control the department in delivering their services.

Fabrics of the department of Homeland Security

The fabrics of the department of Homeland Security will help us to understand the decision making process by knowing the parties that are involved (Chesbrough et al, 148).Homeland Security tries their best in the prevention of crime or the response to an event that affects the United States in a negative manner. The parties that are involved in the decision making process in Homeland Security are the federal government, state, local community and the private sector according to Nelson. They are able to do this by sharing information that is accurate to the security department. The office of the directorate of National Protection and Programs of infrastructure protections ensures that there is effective communication. Activities that are suspicious are reported to them. The information is shred through alerts, warnings and threats according to Valverde and Farrow (42). They also offer effective management programs for risks. They do this by collaborating and coordinating with Homeland Security. Homeland Security is able to get such information through the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN).

There are mechanics of control and tactics of administration that the department of Homeland Security uses (Michel, 1085). The mechanics that was put in place was to ensure that the National Incident Management System (NIMS) is managed and maintained. The center was established to establish and maintain a data base that is documented in relation to the qualification and certification of personnel dealing with emergency response. They respond to all information that is given by all the responders. It deals with all incidents not looking at the cause, size or even location says Perrow (5). This is an assessment method that has different components that work according to the required time. This also promotes a differentiation of the level of national standard of NIMS and the other professional groups. Multiagency Coordination System is the mechanism that Homeland security uses as the architecture that supports coordination of resources and the systems of communication. The information is developed and delivered in the Joint Information Centre.

Another mechanism that Homeland Security uses is the National Response Framework (NFR). The guiding principles for NFR are the provision of mechanisms and structures which ensures the state, federal and locals work effectively together. The Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 requires all the departments and agencies to make adoptions of NIMS through the state and local organizations to assist the federal government in being prepared to deal with crimes through contracts and grants. The department of Homeland Security has a unified command: For every incidence there is one commander who is assigned to bring unity in the group and make decisions according to Burch (10). There are Emergency Operations Centers that coordinates information and resources in the support of managing incidences. Homeland Security has an Operations Section Chief who is responsible for all the activities that will take place when an incidence occurs. This includes developing strategies, ordering and releasing of the resources to be used. An Incident Command System organization is another mechanism that Homeland Security uses. The organization consists of the Chief of Operation Section, Chief of Planning Section and all the staffs that report directly to the Incident Commander.

There are a number of impacts that public administration brings about to the internal and external environment within the department of Homeland Security (Henry, 93). Leadership is one of them putting in mind that it deals with the achievements of results that are right. This shows that the success of Homeland Security depends on leadership that is effective. This leadership is in the organizations and the other agencies that have partnered with Homeland Security. Leadership is the most important element in the success or failure of any organization according to Bass and Bass (11). This is because the leaders are the one who influence the other employees in their productivity, commitment and the satisfaction of the job. Effective leadership will create an environment that is effective to enhance the performance at the work place says Chappell and Sarah (336). In the case of Homeland Security, the leaders should be disciplined and demonstrate constituency in the duties that they perform. Homeland Security should invest in leadership programs to enable them deliver their services effectively. Communication is another effect. This is putting in mind that the workforce of the department of Homeland Security is all over the country (Friedmann et al). Headquarter of the department of Homeland Security is in Washington, DC and should make sure that communication in all the branches is maintained. Communication is maintained by visiting the affected sites and holding committee meetings. The culture of the department of Homeland security is also an issue. This includes the attitudes of the leaders. In the case of the department of Homeland Security, the legacy of the units that forms the department matters. This is because their integration enables Homeland Security to function effectively.

Fibers of the department of Homeland Security

There are reasons why people engage themselves in public administration, different types of bureaucrats and their unique characteristics (Drori et al, 347). Homeland security engages themselves in public administration by ensuring that they hinder disasters from occurring and respond to the disasters when they occur as fast as they can. The department of Homeland Security deals with the security threats of the United States (Jilke et al, 71). The threat that Homeland Security mostly deals with is terrorism in the United States to ensure that they safeguard the nation. There are different types of bureaucrats. We have the cabinet department, regulatory agencies that are independent, executive agencies that are independent and the government corporations. The department of Homeland security is an independent agency. This is because it has its own specific area that it has to manage. They are designed to deal with the security threats. There are head officials who heads to department in its functioning.

There are different characteristics that individuals and the society have that affect the ability of working in public administration (Michel, 1091). Individuals in the society may not be willing to work together with an organization. This will make it hard for organization to obtain the set objectives according to Gilman. In the case of the department of Homeland Security, if the public are not willing to work together with those giving their services will be affected. It can be hard for them to have information about the threats that are about to occur and be able to know a threat when it occurs. This is because the public will not be keeping them informed. This in return will lower the morale of the staff thus, not being motivated to perform their services. This will not be the case when individuals and the society are willing to offer the information they know about such threats.

Leaders in both the public and nonprofit organizations play important roles (Henry, 95). This is because they are the people who influence the performance of any given organization. This is made possible by putting in place strategic plans for leadership. Power also has influences on the leadership styles that people uses. Leadership in public and nonprofit organizations should be transformed at any time to obtain their objectives according to Faye and Antonio (229). The behavior of the leaders should focus on the goals set to be achieved. They should set good examples that will influence the other workers in a positive way. This will help an organization in solving any type of problem that they may face.

From the above discussions, it is clear that there are changes that have occurred in the department of Homeland Security overtime. We have looked at the management of the department in the administration of its services to the public. There are specific things that led to the department to stand on its own and some of them are discussed in this paper which is politics, complacency and wanting to overcome centralization. This gave the department of Homeland security to deal with security, controlling the borders, responding to emergencies and dealing with cyber security. They work with the public to protect the United States including the borders. They do this by being prepared for disasters by trying to prevent them especially the ones that are not natural like terrorism. This enables them to respond to the emergencies in the United States.

Reference List

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"Strengthening The Homeland Security Enterprise | Homeland Security." Dhs.gov. N.p., 2017. Web. 17 July 2017.

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There are forces that led to the separation of the department of Homeland Security to stand on its own (Henry, 88). These are overcoming centralization, complacency and politics. This is the division of power between the federal government, state and local governments. This is designed to protect the nation. This enables the use of the local resources to deal with the protection of the area. Complacency is the competition of ensuring the national security is dealt with. This ensures that the nation is one step ahead which is ahead of the terrorists. Homeland Security should aim at dealing with the expectations of the people about security. This was also to avoid the interference of politics. Power is assigned to the different partners in dealing with security. Politics has a number of members ranging from congress members, stakeholders and companies. Furthermore, politics is known in failing to produce good results when it comes to policies.

Models of organization

The study on public affairs and public administration will help create an understanding of the department of Homeland Security as an organization (Van Dooren et al, 46). This will be by looking at four factors in public administration. The first one is Homeland Security as a criminal justice problem. This is how Homeland Security takes terrorism as a crime. Homeland Security looks at terrorism as being a crime through lens of criminal justice. This will help in identifying the characteristics of Homeland Security according to Kiltz (56). According to criminal justice terrorism is seen as a crime that is motivated in a political manner. The offenders are assumed to commit the crime because of political reasons. This shows that Homeland Security should be used to solve criminal justice problems by dealing with law enforcements that are national, local, state and international. It is important to deal with these organizations because their concentration is on the prevention and deterring of crime through the gathering of evidence, determination of the guilt party and the perpetrators being brought to trial. These give Homeland Security options of dealing with problems of terrorism. Homeland Security uses law enforcement agencies to organize to use the criminal justice system. The department reacts to terrorism crimes.

Secondly, Homeland Security is taken as a solution to international relations problems. The department is associated with the national security in the protection of United States. This is putting into considerations the interests of United States and other countries. Homeland Security plays the civilian function in this case says Bellavita (32). This is because it combines domestic efforts of the local, state, federal and private organizations. International relations increase the sectarian of terrorist groups. This is because terrorism is mostly directed to civilians. The primary strategy of Homeland Security is to overlap the strategy of the National Security of US and the strategies of Homeland Security. This aims at the creation and implementation of strategies to deal with security issues. This will serve to promote the interest of the citizens at home and also abroad.

The department of Homeland Security has characteristics that are different from what organizations tend to share. These characteristics can be divided into human and goal based characteristics (Henry, 90). The people who work in the organization are flexible in their thinking according to "5 Characteristics of Homeland Security Majors". This is because the wrong doers like terrorists and hackers seek to find new methods that will help them to bypass the securities measures put in place. This forces the security majors in Homeland to be creative. This enables them to view the world from the point of the killers or thieves.

The second characteristic is to be reacting fast because it is not easy to predict a disaster ("5 Characteristics of Homeland Security Majors"). Read More