If I were to guess the Secret Service has succumbed to some changes in hiring and standards have been lowered. At least for those in Upper Management Positions.
From 1979-1991 I was a member of the California Highway
Patrol and during that period in my career I was assigned to the Protective Services
Detail, PSD. For seven years while serving in Los Angeles as a Motor Officer.
Our duty was to move the Principal from Point A to B to C and to conclusion. Principals
ranged from Presidents, Vice Presidents, dignitaries from foreign allies like
the Queen of England, Princes, and Minsters of Foreign Affairs from not so
friendly countries like China.
If the movement was within the City Limits that responsibility
was assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department. If both departments were involved
one thing was paramount, then and should have been on July 13. Whether one
agency or several…communications. None of us were on the same frequency, ever.
But one thing was always true…Secret Service was
accompanied by a CHP Supervisor, and a supervisor from any agency that was
accountable to the Secret Service during the movement or site protection from Pick
Up to Point A to conclusion. That held true when on site as well. It was applicable
of one to two hour movements to movements that spanned several weeks. If the
Secret Service was involved, they knew within seconds of CHP radio traffic that
involved the movement/site security of the principal. Even minor events were
immediately broadcast to their personnel. We used to joke about the Agent and
CHP Supervisor being conjoined. During a movement and on site you wouldn’t see
one without the other.
Whether you were “Rawhide” or “Panda” the Secrets Services policies
and procedures required to be followed to the letter. We all knew if there was
an attack on the principal it would be best not to get in the way. There was a
unit in the motorcade that had one duty…put themselves between the assault and
the principal…don’t be in the way.
This was how we trained, practiced, and conducted our
duties when assigned to Dignitary Protection and the training with the Secret
Service was a standard that we inherited and adapted to all movements we
participated in whether the Secret Service was involved or not. We are a little
biased, at the time there was no finer traffic law enforcement agency than the
CHP. They now have taken on many more law enforcement duties beyond traffic law
enforcement. But if I were to guess, they still train, practice and conduct
required dignitary protection movements and work closely with some of the
finest federal law enforcement agents under the banner of Secret Service.
Here's hoping they can get their agency’s leadership back
to the caliber consistent with the standards I recall. Will Roges said, “I never
met a man I didn’t like.” I never met a Secret Service Agent I wouldn’t trust
with my life. But then they didn’t have the leadership they have now. Politics,
if nothing else it has tainted one of the finest agencies in existence.
“All units, Mogul is on the move to 47.”
That is if JB doesn’t quit altogether, and Harris takes the
number and then it’s 48. Considering JB may be on life support in the basement.
Well said. It is very sad that DEI hiring at the top has allowed so many lower standards throughout. I am praying, touching wood and crossing my fingers and toes that Harris goes down hard in November. And I hope her falls takes many from her party with her. Spoken as one who considered herself Independent for most of her life.
ReplyDeleteI look back at the many national and local elections since my first vote in 1972. This will be only the second time I've voted one sided. If the Dems were the crew of a cruise ship sinking in the ocean I believe you would hear the crew yelling "Women and children first." From within the lifeboats.
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