Gathering & Using Intelligence

1. Gathering & Using Intelligence

2. The great thing is to get the true picture, whatever it is.Winston Churchill, 1940 24 What we have is information but what we need is understanding!

3. Information—Knowledge or news of an event or situation Intelligence—Product of specific information related to the situation at hand Information is raw data, Intelligence is processed data The primary aim of intelligence is to support effective decision making Information vs Intelligence 23

4. Information or Intelligence 22

5. Objective —Free as possible from distortion or bias Thorough —Comprehensive enough to be useful Accurate —Factually correct and reliable Timely —Too late is the same as absent Usable —Clear, concise and easily understood Relevant —Fitting for the purpose at hand Good Intelligence 21

6. Initially, nearly all information has value and requires little effort to obtain As the situation progresses, valuable information is more difficult to obtain Intelligence Axiom 20 Point ofDiminishingReturns Value Information Effort Time Anything that decreases the effort, automatically increases the value.

7. Expedite Access Capture and arrange predetermined valuable information Incorporate Specialized Skills and Expertise Trained staff are more adept and resourceful in gaining relevant information while avoiding ineffectual searches and duplication of effort Use Technology Computers, databases, spreadsheets, cellular phones Use Tools of Analysis Standard formats most critical because information is “automatically” arranged Matrices, charts and graphs are only a few others Decreasing the Effort 19

8. Intelligence Paradox 18 Intelligence indicates theprobability of an adverseaction or event occurring Actions taken to reducethe impact or eliminateit altogether The better the intelligence predicting an undesirable event, the less likely it is to occur if properly acted upon

9. Passive Intelligence - the traditional law enforcement method Relies upon field units Intelligence function is a collateral duty Active Intelligence - the traditional military method Relies upon assigned units Intelligence function is the primary duty Passive vs Active Intelligence 17

10. Essential Elements of Information (EEIs) Critical facts that a commander must have to make a decision Other Intelligence Requirements (OIRs) Information that is needed to provide a more comprehensive picture Assumptions Anything taken for granted or accepted as true without conclusive proof Performs the role of a “substitute” for an EEIz The Intelligence Picture 16

11. Intelligence attempts to provide commanders both awareness and perspective The intelligence function is too important to leave to chance or a haphazard approach Four interrelated steps,each supports and is supported by the others The Intelligence Process 15 Direction Collection IntelligenceCycle Dissemination Processing &Production

12. Stems straight from the operational mission Function of command What information is needed? How badly is it needed? Identifies Essential Elements of Information (EEIs) and Other Intelligence Requirements (OIRs) Prioritization will be required Direction 14 Direction IntelligenceCycle Collection Dissemination Processing &Production

13. The efforts to obtain the information and make it available for processing and production Collection plan is a function of the intelligence component Provides guidance and focus of effort to efficiently obtain the information Will change with the tactical situation Collection 13 Direction IntelligenceCycle Collection Dissemination Processing &Production

14. This is where information first becomes intelligence Processing takes the loose data and organizes them into a usable format Allows the significance of the data to become conspicuous Data is analyzed for relevance,reliability and accuracy Productionevaluates (determines value),integrates (compiles related data), andinterprets (conceptualizes significance) the data Processing & Production 12 Direction Collection IntelligenceCycle Dissemination Processing &Production

15. Ensures that the various agenciesor organizational components get the intelligence in an appropriate form and in a timely manner Large operations will make intelligence contextual, in that not everyone needs (or wants)to know everything Dissemination 11 Direction IntelligenceCycle Collection Dissemination Processing &Production

16. A systematic approach focused on reducing the “Intelligence Gap” The gap between what you know and what you need to know Four Critical Factors Trends—combination of measurement and prediction used to identify a general tendency, inclination or predisposition Potentials—ability or capacity of something. Potentials sets limits on the possibilities Capabilities—provide an estimation of sophistication and ability with adversaries, or with natural disasters, probable behaviors and consequences Intentions—identify the aims of an adversary, or with natural disasters, provide a calculation of the degree of impact on a region, function or organization Collection Plan 10

17. Without orderly reporting system, facts are jumbled together Gaining intelligence made more complicated and difficult Tried and True Field Observation Report is “SALUTE” Comprised of Six Components Size Activity Location Unit or Uniform Time Equipment Intelligence Reporting 9 S A L U T E

18. Identifies the size, extent or magnitude of the event Must identify what is being measured Examples: Civil disorder — the number of members of a mob Fire — number of acres or structures involved Size 8 S A L U T E

19. Identifies the particular activity, event or situation observed Should be described clearly but concisely. One or two words are preferable. Examples: Fire Flood Rioting and Looting Activity 7 S A L U T E

20. Identifies the location of the observed activity as precisely as possible Depending upon the circumstances, may be an address, map coordinates, geographical region, polar shift or prominent terrain feature If activity is dynamic, it should also provide speed and direction of movement Location 6 S A L U T E

21. If recognized, identifies “Who?” Unit—Agency, individual, gang, department, etc. involved If unrecognized describes “What is being observed?” Uniform—What are they wearing? What does it look like? Unit or Uniform 5 S A L U T E

22. Defines the time and duration of the observation Avoids intelligence based upon “stale” information Used to separate multiple reports of a single event by multiple observers Duration is important because it may establish a “life expectancy” of episodes May be any of the following: Time observer first observed activity (most common) Time observer determined activity began Duration observed Expected duration Time 4 S A L U T E

23. Describes the equipment or weapons involved In natural disasters, this component may not be applicable, in which case the observer sends “None” or “Not Applicable” No component should be left blank—ever! Otherwise if is impossible to determine whether it was unobserved or missed Equipment 3 S A L U T E

24. Intelligence efforts are more encompassing than just the current situation Historical information is extremely beneficial Simple Format Item or Issue - one sentence Discussion or Description - several paragraphs Recommendation – one paragraph After Action 2

25. Questions?