| The road to radicalization within the United States is largely unknown. Because an alarming number of individuals and groups are being radicalized in the United States, this study was conducted to provide a better understanding of what can drive people to become radicalized and initiatives to counter radicalization. There is little empirical research on factors that may lead an individual or group to become radicalized to commit crime or acts of terrorism; thus, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore law enforcement officials' perspectives to answer the study research question, What are the perspectives of law enforcement officials of factors that may lead to violent radicalization as it relates to crime and terrorism? The first goal was to define radicalization and violent radicalization as they relate to crime and terrorism. Second, a literature review identified case studies, government reports, congressional testimony, academic peer-reviewed research and journal articles, and news clippings about radicalization. Third, data collected from local law enforcement officials obtained their perspectives of factors that may lead individuals and/or groups toward radicalization to commit a crime or an act of terrorism. Findings revealed 5 factors that may lead an individual or group toward radicalization as well as initiatives and law enforcement strategies to counter radicalization. Although there remains no universally accepted pathway to radicalization, law enforcement interviewed in this study argued counter-radicalization programs in local communities help foster cultural associations, facilitate understanding of various ideologies, and build relationships based on mutual community-level interests. |
