Nov. 2, 2012
Alexandria, VA – The National Fusion Center Association is proud to announce that Ronald E. Brooks, Director of the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center and the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, was awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal by Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper during a ceremony on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at DNI headquarters in Virginia.
The National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal is the highest honor presented to a non-Federal employee who has performed eminent acts of service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States Intelligence Community.Brooks has earned the personal and professional respect of his colleagues in the law enforcement and intelligence communities over the course of his impressive law enforcement career. As one of the few people to receive this award since its establishment in 2008, Brooks joins distinguished honorees including two U.S. senators and one U.S. ambassador. Demonstrating extraordinary service to their country over the course of their careers, these men embody the utmost ideals of American patriotism, citizenship and civic responsibility.
Ronald Brooks started his law enforcement career in 1975 with the Ukiah Police Department in Northern California. From the Ukiah Police Department, Brooks transferred to the Redwood City Police Department in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the Redwood City Police Department Brooks received the Medal of Valor for his actions during the murder of Sergeant George Garrett who was killed in the line of duty on May 8, 1981. http://vimeo.com/41932979. From the Redwood City Police Department Brooks transferred to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and later to the California Department of Justice.
At the California Department of Justice, Brooks worked his way through the ranks to become an Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE). During his career at the California Department of Justice he also served as the Senior Special Agent in Charge (SSAC) at BNE’s San Jose Regional Office. In that capacity, he managed the regional office as well as seven multi-jurisdictional task forces and was responsible for all state narcotic enforcement efforts in the six county greater
Silicon Valley. Since 2002, Brooks has served as the Director of the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). In 2004, Brooks retired from the California Department of Justice and was appointed as a Captain with the San Mateo Sheriff’s Office while continuing his service as the HIDTA Director. In 2005, he also became the Director of the Regional Fusion Center for the Northern District of California known as the Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Center. In 2007, he developed the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) which was established by combining the intelligence resources of the HIDTA, the Regional Fusion Center and three Terrorism Early Warning Groups in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Ronald Brooks’ forward-thinking leadership and concerted efforts to prevent and investigate criminal and terrorist activity have helped to facilitate improved communication and cooperation between law
enforcement, other first responders, private sector partners, and the Intelligence Community, enabling them to more effectively protect the public. Brooks has also served as Chairman of the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council (CICC) since 2009. The CICC is part of the Global Advisory Committee (Global) which advises the United States Attorney General on criminal intelligence and information sharing policy issues. Global and the CICC have developed the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan (NCISP) and a host of resources, including best practices and policy guidelines, to enhance law enforcement intelligence capabilities nationwide.
Brooks has served since 2010 as Chairman of the DNI State and Local Partners Board, one of four advisory bodies to the Director of National Intelligence. The Partners Board has been instrumental in
helping to integrate the resources and expertise of state and local public safety agencies and professionals into national counterterrorism efforts.The DNI’s recognition of Brooks’ outstanding leadership and achievements truly highlights the increasingly significant role state and local agencies play in protecting the American people from national security threats. The ongoing intelligence collaboration among law enforcement at the state, local and national levels through the National Network of Fusion Centers has enhanced our ability to react quickly to emergencies and pool resources needed to address critical situations.
On April 4, 2012, at the National Fusion Center Training Event in Phoenix, Arizona, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano presented Brooks with the highest award for an individual as the State and Local Fusion Center Representative of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the National Network of Fusion Centers.
On November 2, 2012, Ronald Brooks retired from the profession that he has changed for the better. During his career Brooks has worked in all law enforcement positions from patrolman, deputy, detective, sergeant, undercover agent, Task Force Commander, Special Agent in Charge, Assistant Chief and finally as a Sheriff’s Captain with the San Mateo Sheriff’s Office serving as the Director of the NC HIDTA and NCRIC. His loyal service to his country and his achievements on behalf of his profession have made Brooks eminently qualified to receive the National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal and the many other honors he has received throughout his career.
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National Fusion Center Association
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