Second 1,500 word essay for OPOL335 - Policing, Intelligence and Counterterrorism. Essay Question/topic: Using examples, explain the role that intelligence plays in counterterrorism policing. In your opinion, in the game to obtain credible intelligence that could help prevent a major terrorist attack, does the end justify the means (for example, should security and intelligence agencies be allowed to cultivate agents with dubious reputations or to torture suspects)? Introduction: Faced with the threat of terrorism, how far should democracies go in order to gather credible intelligence that could help prevent a major terrorist attack? Does such a threat justify the use of illiberal practices of intelligence collection such as extraordinary rendition, indefinite detention, secret prisons, spying on citizens, and torture? (Byrsk 2007) These are the questions this essay aims to address. The first section of this essay explains the role that intelligence plays in counterterrorism policing. The second section addresses the question: in the game to obtain credible intelligence that could help prevent a major terrorist attack, does the end justify the means? This is done by examining the opposing viewpoints on the issue. Part one analyses the reasoning behind viewpoints which argue that the end justifies the means and States must do all that they can to protect their society and existence. Part two analyses the assertions of viewpoints which argue that the end does not justify the means and civil liberties and human rights must be respected uncompromisingly.