NSI Releases Version 1.5.5 of the SAR Functional Standard
After an extensive review process, the updated Information Sharing Environment (ISE) Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Functional Standard v.1.5.5 has been released by the Program Manager, Information Sharing Environment (PM-ISE).  This version was developed by multiple federal partners, in consultation with state and local partners.  The updated Functional Standard provides analysts with examples of ISE-SAR entries that will assist them in their decision-making process of whether a particular SAR meets the ISE-SAR threshold.  The document allows for the insertion of additional ISE-SAR examples to help guide analysts in the event of a new emerging threat.

For more information, visit http://nsi.ncirc.gov/documents/SAR_FS_1.5.5_PMISE.pdf.

Fusion Centers:  Enabling a Domestic Architecture for Sharing Information on a Range of Criminal Threats
To understand the value of state and major urban area fusion centers in the United States, it is essential to understand their capabilities and performance across a variety of threats, including crime and terrorism, as well as the value to their diverse customers at the local level and to the U.S. federal law enforcement and intelligence communities.  This article outlines the roles and responsibilities of fusion centers, including their relationship with federal, state, and local government entities.

This article can be viewed at http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&article_id=3637&issue_id=22015.

BJA Visiting Fellows Program
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Visiting Fellows Program is designed to address emerging issues and build capacity to improve the administration of criminal justice.  The intent of the program is to leverage state, local, or tribal subject-matter expertise to assess areas of need and to develop strategies, tools, and policies in collaboration with BJA staff for the benefit of the criminal justice field.  BJA recently released a new solicitation for the program, and applications are due by April 2, 2015.

To view the Visiting Fellows Program Solicitation Webinar, please visit https://vimeo.com/120400052.

NIJ Video Provides Guidance on Procurement of Body Armor
The National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center has released a video that provides guidance and recommendations to help government procurement officials select body armor for their officers.

The video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&list=PLpIlUxHJ-xbqjGAP9XyW2o1W5lXhmoeWR&v=RNPxkZBCon0.

Lone Wolf Terrorists Challenging for Local Law Enforcement
Lone wolf terrorists represent a different challenge from the concept of terrorist cells in plotting a major attack.  Lone wolf terrorists are typically limited to conducting attacks requiring very little training or advanced planning or communication and may utilize common weapons, such as knives, handguns, and automobiles.  This supports the notion that lone wolfs can act quickly and unpredictably and leave little in terms of an intelligence trail that can be analyzed.  In San Diego County, California, local, state, and federal agencies are leveraging the teamwork concept of the Law Enforcement Coordination Center, Terrorism Liaison Program, and Joint Terrorism Task Force to coordinate counterterrorism intelligence and risk assessment activities, including activities associated with potential lone wolf attacks.

This article can be viewed at http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/feb/14/lone-wolf-terrorists-challenging-for-local-law/?#article-copy.