Optimising intelligence operations for international law enforcement: harnessing THRIVE for national intelligence model advancement

Abstract

THRIVE (Threat, Harm, Risk, Investigation, Vulnerability, and Engagement) represents a decision-making framework introduced by the United Kingdom’s (UK) National Police Chiefs’ Council in 2017, with a particular focus on vulnerability. Alongside THRIVE other intelligence-led policing models such as the National Intelligence Model (NIM), have become integral to policing practices. While THRIVE is widely adopted as a primary analysis and decision-making framework in UK police services, its examination remains limited, including its impact on the NIM and its use by intelligence personnel. Interviews with 15 police personnel from operation intelligence units within a specific English service were conducted to ascertain its level of adoption. A series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all 43 UK police services in England and Wales were then initiated, to understand if the THRIVE model is adopted and, if so, where within their respective units. The findings indicate widespread acceptance and integration of THRIVE among intelligence practitioners, without immediate adverse effects on the application of the NIM. The use of heuristic naturalistic decision-making processes in THRIVE assessments, suggests a need for further research. Though, there is a risk of reduced decision-making capacity among frontline intelligence workers using THRIVE within the constraints of the NIM.