Homeland Security Watch

Comment by William R. Cumming

September 24, 2009 @ 9:25 am

Phil this is actually a great post but needs your Post Script. That P.S. would indicate what problems you believe have indicators in the Post above. Just so you know here is what I think is buried in the POST above.
1. FBI has an authoritarian management style based on the past. Probably cultural and cannot be corrected internally. Is it a necessary style for an investigative and analytical agency? Is the FBI a civil or criminal law enforcement agency or both? Does this impact its training regime? Who actually conducts the training? Retirees? Active duty types? Contractors?
2. The previous in effect guidelines as described:
“Previously, several existing sets of guidelines applied to the FBI’s activities, with one set applying to ordinary criminal law enforcement activities; one set applying to national security efforts; another applying to foreign intelligence collection; and additional sets applying to other activities.”
The above contains four completely separate categories superficially but supposing there were overlaps and this allowed to some extent consolidation. Also supposing that those who led the consolidation were rewarded. What were the objectives of the consolidation and have they been achieved? What critiques before, during, and after training were authorized by both instructors and trainees. In other words nothing is usually conceived perfectly in the bureacracy so how do the new consolidated guidelines get changed? Or is this new “Holy Writ” and no one below the Director can modify or adjust or tamper?
3. Did the organizational leadership find the Coyote story funny or otherwise? Why or why not? Is the story just a biopsy or the actual operation?
4. How does success or failure in mastering the new consolidated guidelines get reflected in personnel evaluations? And do all meaning all of the FBI personnel have to master this material? Is there an abbreviated version for more senior managers? The FBI has almost 36,000 FTE but only about 12,000 are Gold Badge agents retired for the most part after 20 years. Do others have to understand this guidelines in particular those who work with the Gold Badge agents but are not badged? A system of 20 years and out for the most part means that many experienced agents leave each year? What happens to them or is it like the flag ranks in the Armed Forces who after making field grade start planning and acting for their second careers with industry? Does this impact willingness to take bureacratic risks or do agents stack arms after the first decade? How many have been killed in the line of duty which theoretically together with physical fitness dictate 20 and out. Why not 25 and out? How much career time total is devoted to training? The assignment system in the bureau was long viewed as a vehicle for shunning and punishment of those who did not meet management’s expectations! What are the rights of badged and non-badged agents? Are there recruiting bonuses for certain employees like linguists or computer expertise? Is that managed properly.
5. Readers can see I am reading a lot into what looks superficially like a training document? But it looks more like an attempt to realign the Bureau with a common culture and wondering if that was the real purposed not enhancement of efficiency and effectiveness?
And now of course going to download and read the guidelines! Is this the first public availability of this document? Have STATE and LOCAL criminal law enforcement and FUSION CENTER personnel been shown this document? Should they see it? Should they also be trained on it?

This document may make the FBI reorganization announced in May 2002 by Director Muellar a success or failure. Interesting that only got out last year. So what happended in the meantime? Has the document helped to accomplish the Muellar goals as periodically announced. If so must be one of the most successful federal agency training docs of all time!

Comment by Clinton J. Andersen

September 25, 2009 @ 12:34 am

Christopher,

After reading your post I had to disconnect my laptop to take it to my wife to let her read it. In 2004, the FBI had a massive push for Intelligence Analysts (IA). My wife had just gotten her degree, applied, and was accepted. Both her and I were excited… that was until more and more frequently my wife became frustrated. Besides the fact that IA’s were respected (as it IS a law enforcement field) they got very little work done with very little efficiency. Too many times things would pop up that wouldn’t seem right and, to other individuals, would warrant an investigation. However, the FBI can not (or will not) start investigations themselves. There has to be a human source that initiates the query for them to be able to investigate. My wife thought, on many occasions, on just calling in and making an anonymous tip so they could get some work done. Because of the bureaucratic tape and the legal system favoring that one individual who ruins it for the rest, Special Agents (SA) would rather sit around and watch YouTube videos because they knew that pursuing the leads were a waste of time. 6 months ago I went through the FBI’s SA hiring process because even though I knew how they operated I was hoping that I would be able to make a change or at least be able to make a difference. I walked out of the interview knowing I didn’t make it, however, the more I read the more I am glad that it didn’t happen, at least now. Maybe in the future things will be different. I have classmates in my PhD class who are SA’s looking to join a different federal law enforcement agency because they’ve had enough. It’s sad, but it will continue.

William,

1) When you have as many missions that they do (violent crime, hate crimes, terrorism, cyber crime) then yes, I would definitely think that having the analytical arm along with the investigatory arm would make a huge difference. If the SA’s didn’t have the IA’s, or other individuals, then they would never get anything done. It is both a civil and criminal organization that is taught, primarily, by older SA’s but also by retirees and contractors, for some classes here or there. As far as it’s impact… that’s a good question.
2. Beyond me.
3. I hope that any FBI leader who would read this would not find the Coyote story funny. If they did it’s because they’re laughing knowing the truth and because they are powerless to make any changes.
4. & 5. Training and Regulations make a difference but they don’t make THE difference. I’ve read plenty of things that say when an organization is wrong there is only one person you fire, the leader. A good leader will get rid of all the bad and bring in the new. Of course, we can sit here and talk about the deficiencies and problems of an organization all day. But when the only thing the people see are catching bad guys in New York and Denver and no terrorism in the mean time, nothing will change. It’s going to take another major screw up before any organizational change will most likely occur. Even then, somebody will probably write a report, somebody else will read it, they’ll split an organization and combine with somebody else, make a task force, and call it a day.

Comment by christopher tingus

September 25, 2009 @ 4:51 pm

Wow!

As Mr. & Mrs. Citizen Joe, with all the fuss since 911 and the numerous cyber attacks and the threats, from our perspective on Main Street USA, reading this makes us wonder when all this bureaucratic politicing in the beltway – on both sides of the aisle – will be placed aside.

For those truly committed to the Constitution as well as the safeguarding of our communities, these dedicated folks must be allowed to perform in a professional and expeditious manner with all agencies working as a “team” for so many are diligent and committed at the FBI, NSA, CIA, DHS, FEMA and other agencies where all must be supported to protect us the citizenry from within as well as from those who seek our demise from younder without hesitation!

The clock is ticking…

All seems so disheratening these days…I hope we are prepared for it seems that the lack of dscipline and to understand that it is strength we must show. not weakness! This is no time to talk of less nuclear weapons and to turn cheek to a devaluating dollar and the impoverishment of Main Street USA!

The “Brutes of Tehran” and the “KGB Putinites” as I refer to them as they only respect our continued strength and let no one underestimate these adversaries….They have histories that tell all!

Our proud flag has endured much through the night and those who have given of themselves did so because they belived in this beloved nation and the Judeo-Christian values and principles it was founded from and apparently is being threatened by many differing adversaries. Yes, I believe we will prevail, however with less and less confidence.

Christopher Tingus
64 Whidah Drive
Harwich, MA 02645 USA
chris.tingus@gmail.com

In my global business and initiatives, I am making every attempt in partnering with experts to bring valuable solutions to folks in Ghana, Rwanda, Nigeria, Pakistan and other global localities which have little water if any and when even thinking of a mere glass of water, hesitate – to those of us Blessed…

….let’s make every attempt to work together, strengthen our nation by going the distance and reaching outside the agency to help another for no matter what we do, we must all promote an America which is united rather than divided…

We here on Main Street USA rely on our intelligence and law enforcement communities to respect the law, however to thwart any and all criminal activity or terrorism schemes by the bad guys….and from what I see these days, there are numerous bad guys and no time for this disorganized, arrogant and lack of coordinated effort by government and its agencies.

We have been the Beacon of Hope to so, so many and if we do not continue to dedicate ourselves to our pledge in oath to stand tall next to our flag, we will lose and so will all of humanity.

Protect the Constitution and uphold it sspecifics whether government agency or individual -