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‘1984’ Hasn’t Changed, but America Has
By Charlie English
Mr. English is the author of, among other books, “The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature.”
Criminal Intelligence Manual for Managers
Key individual or individuals - WHO?
Criminal activities - WHAT?
Method of operation - HOW?
Geographical scope - WHERE?
Motive - WHY?
Time-frame - WHEN?
AXIOMS FOR AN INTELLIGENCE ANALYST
Believe in your own professional judgment
You are the expert. Believe in your work and stand your ground if the intelligence supports your position
Be a risk taker
Do not be afraid of being wrong when forecasting trends or events. Taking risks is part of your job description. Only by taking risks you can maximize your value to your agency.
It is better to make a mistake than to do nothing at all
If you are wrong, and the facts call for it, admit it.
Only those who don’t do anything make no mistakes.
Avoid mirror imaging at all costs
Mirror imaging is projecting your thought process or value system onto someone else. Your targets are criminals. Their mentality is completely different. You must learn to think like they do
Intelligence is of no value if it is not disseminated
Communicate the intelligence, conclusions and recommendations clearly and effectively and in a timely manner. What your client does not know has no value.
When everyone agrees on an issue, something probably is wrong
It is rare and not natural for a group of people in the intelligence community to fully agree on anything. If it does occur, it’s time to worry.
Your client does not care how much you know, tell them just what they need to know
Excessive details merely obscure the important facts.
Form is never more important than the substance
A professional appearance and appropriately selected formats are important, but they do not outweigh substance. Clients want to know what intelligence means, and they want it when they need it.
Aggressively pursue collection of information that you need
Never settle for less than all you need. If you fail to get access to the vital data source for any reason, you will be held responsible.
Do not take the editing process personally
If editorial changes do not alter the meaning of your message, accept them. If they do, speak up. Even then, it might be that a brighter mind has seen what you have missed. Believe in your product, but be self-critical.
Know your intelligence community counterparts and talk to them
You are not competitors; you are of the same breed. Become part of the network. Do not pick up the phone only when you need something.
Do not take your job, or yourself, too seriously
Avoid burnout. Writing you off as an asset will be a net loss to your agency (although it may not immediately see it exactly like this). The welfare of your family and your health is more important than nailing down a criminal, or scaling another rung on the career ladder. Your role in the larger order of things is not self-important. Your commitment, perseverance and dedication to the job will bring results only over a long term.
1. Analysed data (i.e., intelligence) should be used to direct law enforcement operations and investigations
2. Analysis should be an integral part of every major investigation the agency pursues.
3. Analytical products should contain, as a minimum, a written report. Visual products may also be presented, but are only acceptable as an addition to, rather than in replacement of, a written report.
4. Analytical products should contain conclusions and recommendations. These are presented to management for their consideration regarding decision-making.
5. The development of an analytical product requires the application of thought to data. Data compilation that does not reflect comparison or other considerations is not analysis.
6. Analytical products must be accurate. Consumers must be able to rely on the data provided to them by analysts.
7. Analysis must be produced in a timely manner.
8. Analytical products should reflect all relevant data available through whatever sources and means available to the analyst.
9. Analyses should incorporate the best and most current computer programs, compilation, visualization, and analytical techniques available in the analyst’s environment.
10. Analyses should both reflect, and be evaluated upon, their qualitative and quantitative contribution to the mission and priorities of the agency or organization for which they are being produced
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