TOPICS
TOPICS
Federal Protective Service woes could threaten building security
The Federal Protective Service's budget shortfalls and shrinking workforce could threaten the physical security of government buildings, according to preliminary findings from the Government Accountability Office.
FPS, the agency charged with providing physical security and law enforcement services to approximately 8,800 facilities owned or leased by the General Services Administration, was transferred in 2003 from GSA to the Homeland Security Department's Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau. Since then, FPS has faced multimillion-dollar funding shortages and ensuing management challenges.
Traditionally, FPS was able to make up its budget deficit through GSA's Federal Buildings Fund. But now, as a part of Homeland Security, FPS no longer can tap into that fund and has had to scramble to cover operational expenses and implement cost-cutting measures.
Faced with a projected revenue shortfall of $70 million for fiscal 2006, FPS restricted hiring and employee travel, limited training and overtime, and eliminated employee performance awards as belt-tightening measures. But GAO said these steps ultimately could hinder the service's ability to meet its mission.
"These measures had a negative effect on staff morale, are partially responsible for FPS' high attrition rates and could potentially impact the performance and safety of FPS personnel," wrote Mark Goldstein, GAO's director of physical infrastructure issues.
Since fiscal 2004, FPS workforce has declined 20 percent, standing at about 1,100 by the end of fiscal 2007. The Bush administration's fiscal 2009 budget request recommended the agency reduce its workforce by 150 people. President Bush included the same recommendation in his fiscal 2008 budget, but Congress rejected it. A House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee said the administration's current proposal would leave 50 cities without any FPS presence and would eliminate night and weekend protective services and response capability.
FPS has hired about 15,000 contract guards to monitor facilities it cannot cover. Lawmakers and FPS officials, however, expressed concern that there was inadequate oversight of these private security guards. The GAO found that FPS inspectors charged with overseeing contract guards were struggling to meet oversight responsibilities while juggling building security assessments and responses to criminal incidents. FPS officials also indicated to GAO that contract guards were poorly trained and reluctant to act in emergency situations. Goldstein said a separate review on the contract guard program will begin soon.
FPS said it is filling holes in facility protection through increased reliance on local law enforcement, but GAO disputed this strategy. The service has not signed any agreements yet with local law enforcement agencies for extra assistance, or formally authorized local police to respond to incidents at federal facilities. And local officials told GAO they were unaware of such agreements, that they lacked the capacity to take on that responsibility, and would refuse to sign any agreement requiring them to do so.
GAO did not make recommendations in the preliminary evaluation, but will likely do so in May, when the complete report is expected. ICE did not return calls for comment, but reviewed a draft of the GAO testimony and agreed with the agency's conclusions.
COMMENTS
- I agree with some of the coments; some companies are here for the money and doesn't care about their contract officers. They limit themself from bying the proper equipment and givin more trainin. I think FPS should go back to GSA, or make the officers, federal security officer and eliminate the contract companies. Jay3699 Posted January 9, 2009 12:07 AM
- It is sad to see all the bickering over issues like this. But, one thing is certain. There are politicians that are turning a blind eye and allowing companies like US Protect and Holiday to work these contracts. Now, there are new companies but the same old faces running them because they know the system and make the money they need to retire off of. For chritsmas i want santa to disband all contract companies. Improve the quality of hiring standards and training to weed out the loafers that are only here for the check and not the pride to serve and protect the people, and move forward to a better, more organized protective machine. zardo Posted July 30, 2008 12:40 PM
- I have read all of the comments made above and am a little confused. I read that the guards are makeing minumum wages? Not where I work they don't. I am a FPS employee and I can tell you the guards here make more then local cops by far. I would defie any one in this area to find a guard job that pays more. Are some of them loads? you bet.We have found guards with empty guns, Asleep, Haveing sex at there guard post, Stealing from the public, Drunk on duty.Are some of them top notch? You bet.They have assisted in arrest with us as well as local police, Stopped crimes in progress, And I know of one occasion where they saved a life with CPR. The one statement I read that is so true though is that the companies are here for the money. I have seen guards walking around in a mix match of clothing and uniform parts because the company won't spend the money to outfit them right. I have seen rusty guns and people that look like they have been through a wrinkle machine. I have also seen the retired cops and former military guys who spend money out of there own pocket so they are as sharp as a tack. The comments about the FPS officers not working at night and on weekends is true. But I can assure you it's not our idea. We used to work 24/7 and cover more buildings and area. But the day of the patrol officer is ending as the agency is pushing for a pure inspector force. This means less time to respond to calls and patrol or to be seen by the public in the buildings. It means time spent behind a desk doing paper work and not insureing the buildings are safe. But when an orginization that is supposed to be a police force is run by people who can't even carry a gun or make an arrest they lose the site of what the public needs. So now we will find flaws in the system. Report it and make recomendations to have it fixed and then hear we don't have the money. And go back to your desk and do it all over again. How do you respond to a call if your in a meeting with a building security committee? So bad mouth us if you wish. Find fault in the Federal Protective service as an orginization, But the men and women out here in uniform still find it to be very rewarding to go into the heat of a problem and do what we are trained to do. FPO Posted March 6, 2008 4:02 PM
