The U.S. Secret Service is under-staffed, and how we might fix this?

[Multicolored Lemur]

Because once you get under-staffed, it’s a trap. People are working big overtime on a continual basis, and their marriages are on the verge of breaking up.

So, the person figures, I’m going to give notice. I’m going to give 2 months notice instead of 2 weeks. I’m going to do it right. But I’m going to have to get another job.

So, the person leaves the Secret Service after 5 years when he or she could have made a career of it.

This is a hypothetical example.

But it’s a good example of how it’s hard for any organization to get out of the condition of being under-staffed.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

It's now become a common point that the Secret Service has limited resources and seem stretched. Their performance in recent events shows just as much. I'm not sure if money is the issue because I would just think that all they need to do is hire more agents. If employee retention is the problem then I would see that as a management issue.

Some of the issues exposed from the first assassination attempt of Trump shows that there's a mix of both management and lack of staffing problems. The Secret Service had to outsource part of their job to state/local police. Then we see during a Congressional hearing, the former SSA director couldn't or refused to answer some basic important questions showing either that she didn't know what was even going on with the way her department work or she was hiding from humiliation, which both cases point to poor management, imo.

If I find a video of a Secret Service staff that talks about the problems, I'll post here!

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

I would just think that all they need to do is hire more agents

Because you have to hire somewhat slowly to absorb the new employees. And to train them according to your methods.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Might have found some answers here starting at the 24:20 to 28:00 minute mark.. Secret Service director answers question about hiring, funding, and training!

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

at the 24:20 to 28:00 minute mark.. Secret Service director answers question about hiring, funding, and training!

I see that Director Ron Rowe says they’ve been understaffed for decades.

That they’ve been redlining their people, and their people have been rising to the moment.

They’re trying to move from a reactive model to a readiness model.

And they’ve received good support from both the President and Congress [ really, the only thing to say. And if it’s not quite there, saying it may make it so ]

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And personally,

I’m just in awe that an agent in the field who can slightly lessen his or her laser-beam focus and allow their focus to go peripheral to some extent. To that sweet spot. And then scan for danger maybe for a solid 4 hours without any kind of break. And maybe for a 12-hour day.

I may not be describing this exactly right.

But it amazes me.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Biden administration asks Congress to surge Secret Service funding in "anomaly" request

Congressional staffers say there are increasing concerns about Secret Service's funding levels, as Congress debates federal spending.

www.cbsnews.com

“The Biden administration last month asked Congress for special permission to increase spending on Secret Service in the weeks ahead, even if Congress only passes a short-term spending bill to avoid a government shutdown . . . “

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President Biden is doing the right thing. Now, a critic might say, hey, a belated effort.

The fiscal year for the federal government begins October 1st. I wish members of Congress didn’t engage in brinkmanship each and every year, but … so be if.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

I’m just in awe that an agent in the field who can slightly lessen his or her laser-beam focus and allow their focus to go peripheral to some extent. To that sweet spot. And then scan for danger maybe for a solid 4 hours without any kind of break. And maybe for a 12-hour day.

That sounds like the opposite of ADHD. I've read the meditation can help someone focus so I wonder if that is part of their training.

When a specific muscle is weak, you can do exercises to make it stronger. The same thing is true for your brain.

Mindfulness meditation strengthens your ability to control your attention. It teaches you how to observe yourself and to focus on something. And it trains you to bring your wandering mind back into the moment when you get distracted.

Meditation is thought to help with ADHD because it thickens your prefrontal cortex, a part of your brain that's involved in focus, planning, and impulse control. It also raises your brain's level of dopamine, which is in short supply in ADHD brains.

Source: WebMD

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

That sounds like the opposite of ADHD. I've read the meditation can help someone focus so I wonder if that is part of their training

And maybe this ability to ? ? 80% focus for long periods — like a life guard scanning the water — is the ability the Secret Service should test for and hire.

An agent at the Florida golf course noticed a rifle barrel poking out of the bushes. To his or her credit!

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

I've read the meditation can help someone focus

The question the person might ask himself or herself is — How good is your B game?

It’s like driving a car. How good are you when you’re least focused on the task at hand?

And there’s a saying from baseball which I like, but which I’ve only heard a few times — “A veteran pitcher learns how to win when he only has his B game.”

Meaning, you’re not as sharp as you usually are. But you still find a way to get the job done. And with room to spare.