No. of Recommendations: 2
Not likely based on today's presser
Rowe opened with a long and proud history of the agency and how the brave men and women etc and how bad he feels and the mistakes were all made by the UUSS and he never meant to imply the local support were at fault <after they started calling him out>. He went on to say how devastated all of the USSS is but especially the Pittsburgh office where you can see it in their eyes, the office is subdued, everyone is hurting. <I almost cried, but enough of that>.
Reporter: Has anyone been suspended with or without pay" has anyone been fired?
Ronald Rowe replies: "And if in fact there were policy violations, and they are substantiated, those employees will be held accountable."
When pressed, Rowe said the agency would not state who or what discipline was handed out or even of any disciplinary actions were taken at all. He did finally agree to a vague high level statement after the internal investigation is complete.
Apparently, unless the policy says "don't let the protectee get shot in the ear", then culpability will lie with deficiencies in the process.
Earlier on Mondays congressional testimony, Rowe would not identify the agent responsible of the event and added the agent is still on the job and assisting in the investigation.
Local PD's know that to help maintain trust by the community, a cop involved with the discharge of their service weapon is immediately suspended while the investigation is underway.
"The three things that failed us in Butler were lack of communications which is a leadership issue, lack of personnel, which is a leadership issue, and lack of use of technology, which is also a leadership issue."
Gee, I hope their policy manual says it is required to establish and maintain good communications, have enough personnel and to make use of available technology. If not, there is no problem, not one requiring discipline anyway.
The USSS
leadership cannot be allowed to hide behind a policy manual rather than be required to demonstrate good judgement and common sense. But gosh golly they sure do feel bad about it.
First I was hopeful but am learning not to expect much from this bureaucrat.
