How the Posse Comitatus Act Restricts Department of Defense Information Sharing

<p>This thesis argues that the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA) limits Department of Defense (DoD) information-sharing initiatives but that such limitations are necessary to the preservation of civil-military relations. Throughout its history the United States has struggled with the appropriate role of federal military forces in domestic operations and the PCA reflects this struggle. With respect to domestic intelligence operations the federal government has emphasized the importance of information sharing between the various federal agencies including the DoD and local law enforcement. The thesis begins by explaining the United States intelligence infrastructure the relationships between the various agencies and the functions of DoD within that structure. Next the thesis analyzes the PCA and accompanying regulations designed to restrict the use of federal forces in a law enforcement capacity. Then through three case studies dating from the 1920s the 1970s and post-11 September 2001 the thesis discusses the practical application of PCA restrictions on DoD domestic intelligence operations as well as lessons learned from past operations. This section concludes that the PCA does in fact inhibit information sharing between DoD and state authorities. Finally the thesis concludes that such inhibitions are crucial to preserving healthy civil-military relations within the United States.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>