Domestic Terrorism: Membership in Extremist Groups
Take a look at this article in the LA Times concerning police and military participation in riots, insurrections, and other related activities: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-01-15/capitol-riot-police-veterans-extremists
Let’s not get caught up in the pro- or anti-Trump debate.
That’s not the issue here. Of course, while cliche, there remains some truth to the adage that one person’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter. This is closer to the point for you as criminal justice professionals and leaders.
How do you handle situations where your employees are involved in activities that some may call riotous?
Where do you draw the line? Can your agencies prohibit membership in organizations such as the KKK?
What about the Proud Boys? What about neo-Nazi groups? Or do you have to wait until they engage in unlawful activity before administrative action can be taken?
Of course, the question posed is about administrative or disciplinary action, not criminal charges.
Here’s an interesting article to read: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/01/oath-keepers-militia-capitol-insurrection-military-police/
And another involving Congressional testimony: https://www.adl.org/media/14041/download
Your assignment this week is actually practice for your comprehensive exam. You will be asked to give short answers such as this one (500 words) without the need to reply to a classmate. This question is posed as follows:
Assuming you are the head of your criminal justice agency (police, corrections, federal criminal investigations, etc.), and you are asked to write a summary of a position statement concerning membership/activities in certain groups.
These organizations may have been identified as terrorist organizations or extremist groups, may be unrecognized militias (i.e., not the National Guard or official state militia), or simply “fringe” organizations that espouse views that it is okay to use force to overtake the government if it becomes tyrannical.
Your response should cover a range of activities from recruitment, simple membership, “inciting violence,” and participating in violent activities.
Consider for a moment the plot to kidnap the governor of Michigan.
What if you had an employee who was a member of that group that did not engage in any “illegal” activities
