Sheriff Gore Seeks Analysts for Top-Secret Fusion Center

Attention all spies: San Diego county sheriff Bill Gore, himself an ex–FBI special agent, is in the market for those schooled in the dark arts of espionage. “The Sheriff’s Department is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide highly trained intelligence analysts who are subject matter experts in counter-terrorism, domestic terrorism, international terrorism, critical infrastructure, as well as all crimes/all-hazards,” says an April 16 request for proposals. The county’s spy central, the document adds, is the so-called Fusion Center on Kearny Mesa, a top secret, federally funded complex where U.S. agents mix with law enforcement types further down the food chain to keep tabs on suspicious activities of many sorts. “The intelligence analysts are the backbone of every Fusion Center,” according to the request, “as they analyze the patterns, trends, and evidence of organized criminal activity for use by first responders and public safety executives.” In particular, “The intelligence analysts should have analytical work experience on the Southwest Border and work experience involving products developed from High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiatives.” It also doesn’t hurt to have worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, notes the document. And, of course, a security clearance is mandatory. But even espionage requires regular breaks: “Intelligence analysts will be permitted paid time off under this Agreement for all the County holidays.”