In any business, company or enterprise, it is essential to take risks. However, it is also equally important to ensure that as much as possible there are no risks taken in any endeavor. In order to do this, one has carefully plan and assess all possible outcomes, which is a process called risk management. Basically, risk management is a method using various procedures to assess and mitigate the uncertainties that may become a potential risk. In this case, organizations use resources to manage a potential risk.
Although risk management has various applications in society, it is used in business, politics, and governance to name a few. In this regard, the paper will discuss the application of risk management in justice and security organizations through reviewing and discussing related literature. Literature Review According to William O. Jenkins, Jr. , Director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues, the risk management programs of the US Federal Government agencies are embodied upon the creation of the Homeland Security Act (HSA) of 2002.
Basically, the enactment of the HSA of 2002 has mandated the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out a comprehensive assessment of risks related to vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure and key resources, such as (1) the risk posed by different forms of terrorist attacks, (2) the probability that different forms of an attack might succeed, and (3) the feasibility and efficacy of countermeasures to deter or prevent such attacks (Jenkins, 2007).Moreover, according to Jenkins (2007), the President has issued policies that direct the heads of Federal agencies to assess risks, in which the policies have made DHS responsible for protecting critical infrastructures and for establishing uniform policies, approaches, guidelines, and methodologies to integrate risk management within and across US Federal departments and agencies. Upon reviewing the related literature, it can be deduced that risk management in justice and security organizations of the US Federal government is a centralized implementing procedure.Moreover, according to the DHS, the US homeland security strategy works within a risk management approach within the pillars of: (1) threat assessment, (2) vulnerability assessment, and (3) criticality assessment. In addition, according to Jenkins (2007), developing a framework for risk management [based on best practices and other criteria] is to provide a basis for examining efforts at carrying out procedures.This framework was divided into five phases: (1) setting strategic goals and objectives, and determining constraints, (2) assessing the risks, (3) evaluating alternatives for addressing these risks, (4) selecting the appropriate alternatives, and (5) implementing the alternatives and monitoring the progress made and the results achieved (Jenkins, 2007).
Jurisdictional Risk Management One of the considerable jurisdictional implementing procedures on risk management relating to justice and security organizations can be found in the DHS guidelines for homeland security. Based on the DHS provision on jurisdictions seeking to improve intervention, “articulate and disseminate the legal criteria for making cases, conducting wiretaps, and conducting surveillance on suspected terrorists through general training and specific tactical training within Law Enforcement” (Page 25; Sec. 2; in DHS, 2003).In addition, the said provision is in line with familiarizing the risk assessment procedures such as (1) conspiracy statutes, (2) search and seizure requirements, (3) Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) requirements, (5) established legal criteria and procedures for intervention in suspicious circumstances and events, (6) standard operating procedures (SOP's) for observing people and targets at high threat locations, (7) laws that protect public safety information, and (8) contact lists and contact information for legal opinions and assistance.Conclusion Generally, risk management is a vital undertaking of the US federal government.
It may be further perceived that the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is one of the immediate and strongest risk managing factors of the United States’ interstate and intrastate policies. The justice and security organizations are the fortresses that take into effect the means of the United States’ risk management system.The justice (judicial) and the security (military) sector of the government are bestowed with the iron will to assess and mitigate the vulnerability of US homeland to various risks, which not only encompasses terrorism but also economic and political uncertainties. These uncertainties are the primordial factors of United States risk management system that is guided by the enactment of state policies that has same purposes in managing risks.
