The CIAG Mission

Critical incidents have the potential for creating social trauma and undermining social trust in government – ultimately impacting community life and even the practice of democracy.

The Critical Incident Analysis Group works to understand the impacts of critical incidents on government and the societies they serve and to counteract these effects through the study of past incidents.

CIAG believes studying the incidents in an academic setting, behind closed doors, is not enough. Today’s key threat of terrorism involves organizations which know no boundaries and yet are bounded by ideals that motivate its participants towards destructive acts against innocent civilians. Such threats must be examined with candor, by a range of professionals including those experts who are actively encountering the threats.

In order to achieve this mission, CIAG:

• engages theory with practice.

  It is not enough for our members to think about problems, instead they must be actively involved in implementing solutions.

• is multi-disciplinary.

  The group is comprised of a network of experts from academe, media, government, military, law enforcement, industry, and the behavioral sciences. Through diversity in expertise comes diversity in solutions.

• remains nonpartisan.

  The group promotes no specific ideology except that which provides both security and liberty to citizens of free nations.

• is internationally focused.

  Critical incidents such as terrorism know no boundary; and their successful management is an opportunity for learning.

• analyzes crisis through candid and multiple perspectives

  Through honesty and vigorous debate the best solutions will be uncovered.

• incorporates analysis methodology from leading international scholars and practitioners.

  Research and scholarship provide a critical process for examination of critical incidents.