"There really are no federal standards for security guards" at federal buildings, David Wright, president of an American Federation of Government Employees local, tells the Washington Post. The Federal Protective Service, part of the Department of Homeland Security, provides security at more than 9,000 federal buildings across the U.S. and uses about 15,000 contract security guards. A House of Representatives hearing Tuesday will focus on the agency's future and its response to a Government Accountability Office report that exposed security gaps at 10 major federal buildings. The GAO faulted the FPS for inconsistent training and poor oversight of private guards.
The current arrangement leads to an odd mix of public- and private-sector workers who frequently fight turf wars and disagree on lines of authority, both private and federal guards said. Some contract guards permanently stationed at a location believe they have a stronger understanding of its security threats than do federal officers who make infrequent visits to perform law enforcement duties, review building security plans, and train tenants about security threats. One guard said, "You never know what to expect day to day. It can be health problems, domestic problems. Ex-husbands show up to see their wives in the lobby."
Posted by Clyde Queen
Friday, March 12, 2010 09:03
The Federal Protective Service, from the day of it’s inception has always been the whipping post of every beauracrat in the U. S. Government. I had high hopes that when the Federal Protective Service was taken out from under the control of the General Services Administration, that the Department of Homeland Security would recognize the worth and value of the FPS and give them the proper operational funding they need.
Instead, it appears to be the same old story. The Federal Protective Service is still treated like a red-headed step-child of all of the law enforcement agencies. The Government expects the FPS to do more and more with less and less.
Those of you who served as a grunt in the military forces know what “REMF” means. If the REMF’s in Washington D.C. got off of thier duffs, and went out of daily or nightly patrols wtih the FPS to see what they are actually faced with, perhaps it would stir them into granting a decent funding for that federal law enforcement agency.
They should give the FPS enough funding to hire more FPS Officers, and get rid of the contract security guards. An FPS Officer is a highly trained law enforcement officer is has authority to effect arrests, and conduct investigations. So, why are they clogging up the system with private security guards? It is all because of hanky panky sweetheart deals with certain bureaucrats in Washington, thats why! Get rid of them!