Final answer:
Intelligence is the first line of defense for governments, complementing the criminal justice system by preempting threats and protecting national interests through intelligence and counterintelligence activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Law enforcement is indeed the first line of defense for society, performing a critical role in maintaining law and order. Law enforcement agencies are part of the criminal justice system and include the police, who apprehend criminals, the courts, who judge the accused, and the corrections institutions that carry out sentences. When it comes to intelligence being the first line of defense, it primarily serves the interests of governments. Therefore, intelligence is the first line of defense for governments.
Intelligence agencies and officers collect, analyze, and act upon information to prevent threats, offering both offensive capabilities (intelligence services to defeat threats) and defensive capabilities (counterintelligence services to protect against internal threats). The function of intelligence complements the criminal justice system by providing vital information to preempt crime and safeguard national interests.