Justice Department
ORG
Justice Department
Acknowledging the multitude of Hurricane Katrina failures, the Bush administration on Thursday advocated giving federal agencies from the Pentagon to the Department of Justice a greater role in the nation's disaster response playbook. The Justice Department, which now shares responsibility for disaster law enforcement efforts with the Homeland Security Department, would be primarily charged with that even in less severe disasters. The Justice Department, which is in charge of the F.B.I. and has longstanding relations with the local and state police, may be able to more rapidly deploy huge numbers of law enforcement officers to help maintain public order. Knowing the multitude of Hurricane Katrina failures, the Bush administration advocated giving federal agencies from the Pentagon to the Department of Justice a greater role in the nation's disaster response playbook. The Justice Department, which shares responsibility for disaster law enforcement efforts with the Homeland Security Department, would be primarily charged with that even in less severe disasters. The Justice Department, which is in charge of the F.B.I. and has longstanding relations with the local and state police, may be able to more rapidly deploy huge numbers of law enforcement officers to help maintain public order.