Secretary Napolitano Announces Transfer of Federal Protective Service to National Protection...

DHS.gov ^ | October 29, 2009 | n/a

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

Secretary Napolitano Announces Transfer of Federal Protective Service to National Protection and Programs Directorate

Release Date: October 29, 2009

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the transfer of the Federal Protective Service (FPS) from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD)—streamlining decision-making and aligning the protection of federal buildings with DHS’ broader critical infrastructure protection mission.

“Securing government facilities is a vital aspect of DHS’ critical infrastructure protection mission,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Transferring FPS to NPPD will enhance oversight and efficiency while maximizing the Department’s overall effectiveness in protecting federal buildings across the country.”

The President’s fiscal year 2010 budget requested the transfer of FPS from ICE to NPPD, and the provision was included in the DHS appropriations bill President Obama signed into law on Oct. 28.

The realignment allows FPS to focus on its primary mission—securing General Services Administration (GSA)-owned and leased federal buildings by performing building security assessments and deploying appropriate countermeasures—while enabling ICE to focus on the smart and effective enforcement of immigration and customs laws.

FPS and NPPD already work together on many initiatives, including the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP)—under which FPS leads the protection activities of the Government Facilities Sector—and the NPPD-led establishment of government-wide physical security policy.

Under NPPD, FPS will maintain its current responsibilities to secure federal facilities. No workforce or employment changes are expected.

FPS delivers integrated law enforcement and physical security services to federal agencies in nearly 9,000 facilities owned and leased by GSA throughout the United States and its territories.

For more information about the FPS transfer, visit www.dhs.gov/fps.

### This page was last reviewed/modified on October 29, 2009.

[cmj328]

I’ve only ever seen the FPS at federal buildings. Why were they placed under ICE initially? Do they also have an immigration component?

[Cindy]

I don’t know.
This a change and I’m just noting it here.

[endthematrix]

Hey Cindy, just saw this. Just more of a possible Federal take over of private security contractors to public *union of course* employment.

November 18, 2009
FULL FUNDING AT FPS MUST BE A TOP PRIORITY, SAYS AFGE

FPS union president testifies before the House Homeland Security Committee

(WASHINGTON)-Declaring that the Federal Protective Service is an “agency in crisis”, the president of the FPS union of the American Federation of Government Employees made an impassioned appeal for additional resources and manpower to enable the agency to carry out its critical mission.

“The Federal Protective Service faces daunting challenges and its officers and inspectors have been shocked and dismayed by the recent GAO reports and vulnerabilities that still exist” said David Wright at a hearing on FPS reform before the House Homeland Security Committee today. Stating that FPS “still has significantly less boots on the ground when it joined DHS”, Wright asked the Committee for its support of additional resources and assistance in making sure those funds make it to the agency.

“We need your help to make sure the embedded, intransigent and unaccountable bureaucrats at OMB cooperate to provide the minimum resources necessary to accomplish our mission” he said.

In addition, Wright told the Committee that FPS reform legislation must include the in-sourcing of private security guards at the highest security buildings protected by FPS.

“In 2001, there were 5,000 contract guards and FPS was authorized more than 1,450 total personnel. By 2009, there were 15,000 contract guards, but FPS was authorized only 1,225 total personnel. A three-fold increase in guards coupled with a 16 percent cut in FPS staff was a recipe for failure” Wright said.

Wright added that “the state of the FPS right now is little different from that of the airline industry security prior to 9/11. When America demanded professional security at airports, Congress and the administration responded by hiring some 40,000 federal officers to staff the Transportation Security Administration. It is long past time to do the same thing at FPS.”

Wright also expressed concern about security at the upcoming terrorism trials to be held in New York City. “The khalid Sheikh Muhammad trial at the New York federal courthouse presents a security risk that FPS is ill-equipped to handle without leaving other secure buildings in the country unprotected.”

[Cindy]

Thanks for the additional info endthematrix.