A couple of years ago I shared the image of a book by my friend, Ron William’s, a retired USSS Supervisor. His book was about his time with the service.
I worked frequently with the Secret Service, supporting protection operations here in the U.S. and later overseas. I have tremendous respect for the men and women of the Service. I know them to be professional and expert at their mission and craft. What happened in the recent assassination attempt should not have happened. But, it did. Mistakes cannot be tolerated when the stakes are high…but they happen. The planning needs to be complete and precise…but it wasn’t. The execution (if I dare use that term!) must be as exacting as is possible…but it wasn’t.
Is someone responsible? Well you certainly cannot say no! Can it be one thing, or must it be a series of “things?!). Yes, all are possible.
Why?
Because, even given this highest of stakes, extreme and critical task, with the amazing amount of time in planning, preparation, organization, experienced personnel put to the task…remember…All of law enforcement, all of military and intelligence operations are, and can be included, in the “imperfect science” world.
The investigation should proceed, it should be comprehensive and thorough…hopefully without political intrusion in the process. I know, kinda late on that point. Lessons learned, holes plugged, responsibilities assigned, and training and review established. And then move on to the next task.
Included in the future training should be extensive cross training between the Secret Service and all the key local law enforcement agencies across the U.S. that might be called into service. Here in California, and specifically Los Angeles, the LAPD and the LASD both work closely with the SS. We trained with them, though more could and should be done. Our California Highway Patrol works closely with them as well. It seems to work very well. Our respective SWAT and the Sheriffs SEB work and train with them. They know how to do what is expected of them. This is not to say other agencies and locations are lesser, they are not. But the frequency of joint operations makes for familiarity and co-ops coordination, which is what I am talking about. The left hand and the right hand (if I can use those triggering references) must be on the same sheet of music, dance in step, have the exact same protocols and know what the other person is thinking and doing…before it is done. In the process mistakes and misunderstanding can me minimized.
Is that possible?! Well, let’s go out on a limb as say yes, WE ARE GROWN A** adults, we can do this.
Further, let’s work together to ensure that jealousy, competition, disagreements, and dare I say foreign or hostile actors and influences are kept far from our place on this little planet.
The good news is, we dodged a bullet (see what I did there!). Yes, no matter your political standing, we dodged a bullet of shame, death and humiliation on the world stage. And we haven’t been on a great roll as of late with that!