A broad-brush overview of America’s most recent – and possibly most deadly danger to our nation’s peace, tranquility, safety and – future!

America’s response to this threat, through use of its civilian agencies and the military, is thoroughly examined and evaluated one-by-one. The thread of continuity that ties them all together is carefully spelled out.

Dangers to America’s safety and well-being are examined: which are recognized; which are dangerously underground, and what our military and civilian agencies are doing to root them out and destroy them – permanently!

Since 9/11, global attention has focused on Homeland Security for both the U.S. and its Allies. Threats facing our nation are no longer the threats of traditional conflict. Today we face a variety of challenges, including tech-savvy domestic AND international terrorists, transnational criminal organizations, an increasingly vulnerable infrastructure plus – natural disasters. Each threaten our national security and vital national interests.

Globalization and new technologies have shifted the international economy in a seismic fashion. They have also become force multipliers for those who would harm us. This textbook is an introduction for students and readers interested in Homeland Security issues. It provides a history of Homeland Security. It shows how the nature of the threats facing our nation have changed since 9/11, including extensive discussion of the evolution of U.S. Homeland Security. It includes a comprehensive examination of current and future challenges and how the U.S. has chosen to deal with these threats.

The four authors, three of whom have Ph.D.s, bring the necessary credentials and skills to critically examine the subject from an academic perspective. As well, their many years of teaching at the collegiate level allow them to write in a way that is accessible to the average introductory student. Finally, each has been a practitioner, involved in all aspects of homeland security operations. This includes extensive military experience as well as service in state, local and federal law enforcement and homeland security organizations.

The text organization all follows a model developed and successfully taught in the classroom. Therefore, its content, style and organization have been validated. As well, the book is structured to follow the standard academic semester (1 chapter per week), which provides value to both the student and the professor.

This book represents the “state-of-the-art” in homeland security texts, providing the reader with a thorough understanding of the challenges and responses involved in securing the homeland.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

David H. McElreath, PhD: Dr. McElreath’s background includes Professor and Chair, Department of Legal Studies, University of Mississippi; Professor and Chair, Department of Criminal Justice, Washburn University, Associate Professor, Southeast Missouri State University, Colonel, United States Marine Corps; and Law Enforcement and Corrections positions with the Oxford (Mississippi) Police and Forrest County (Mississippi) Sheriff’s Department. His education and training include a Ph.D. in Adult Education and Criminal Justice, University of Southern Mississippi; M.S.S., United States Army War College; M.C.J., University of Mississippi; B.P.A., University of Mississippi; graduate of the United States Army War College. He is also the author of numerous publications on the criminal justice system.

Chester L. Quarles, Ph.D., CPP : Dr. Quarles’ background includes Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Mississippi ; Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics ; CEO of his own private security company ; Director, Mississippi Crime Lab ; Criminal Investigator of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety ;Criminal Investigator (Certified) of the United States Army; and Military Policeman, United States Army. His education and training includes a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University; M.A. in Sociology/Criminology from the University of Mississippi; and B.S. in Criminology from Florida State University. He is also a graduate of the Mississippi Highway Patrol Academy, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Course, and the U.S. Army Military Police Academy. He has been recognized as a Certified Protection Professional, a Certified International Investigator and as a Fellow in the Institute of Professional Investigators. He has written six books, coauthored seven books and has published some seventy plus articles during his career.

Carl Jensen, PhD: Dr. Jensen’s background includes Assistant Professor, Department of Legal Studies, University f Mississippi and Senior Behavioral Scientist at the RAND Corporation. He served as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 22 years. His FBI career included service as a field agent, a Forensic Examiner in the FBI Laboratory and an Instructor and Assistant Chief of the Behavioral Science Unit. Prior to that, he served as a Naval Officer aboard a nuclear fleet ballistic missile submarine. He received a B.S. degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, an M.A. from Kent State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. He has published extensively and has lectured throughout the world.

Robert Nations: Mr. Robert (Bob) Nations, Jr. is currently the Director of the Shelby County Office of Preparedness, which represents the coordination of both Homeland Security and the Emergency Management Agency for Memphis/Shelby County, Tennessee and the Memphis Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). Bob is a career law enforcement officer and police administrator serving in those related fields from 1972 through his current position. Prior to coming to Shelby County, he served as State Director of Homeland Security for Mississippi, and was Chief of Operations for homeland security during Hurricane Katrina. Bob is in Project Management with the University of Mississippi in the Legal Studies Department. He currently serves on the Homeland security Advisory Board at Daniel Webster College in Nashua, New Hampshire. Bob is a recognized public speaker/writer at regional and national conferences.