Diplomatic Security Service agents stopped serial killer but leadership turned a blind eye

But Washington Comptroller We can only report that Rivera’s attacks have ended now: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Security Service agents detained him near United Nations headquarters. while New York Police Department It was DSS agents assigned to a protective team for the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, who took sole responsibility for apprehending Rivera, who stopped Rivera and held him until NYPD officers arrived. Agents also provided emergency aid to the attacker’s 36-year-old victim, who later died at the hospital.

But unfortunately, sources say, the bravery of responsible agents, often at an early career stage, goes unnoticed by DSS leadership. No monitors attended the scene and no public statements were made by DSS or the State Department about the agents involved. When asked about this apparent failure of leadership, a State Department spokesperson simply said: Washington Comptroller “DSS special officers assisted the stabbed woman until emergency services arrived; They also detained the alleged attacker until NYPD uniformed officers arrested them.”

The problem here is twofold.

First, agents who acted with courage and care beyond the scope of their normal duties were not recognized as having done so. Aspect Washington Comptroller to have previously reportedDSS is now characterized by extremely high protective detail workloads and associated burnout. In return, what these agents deserved was at least some recognition for their leadership. Instead, a source with direct knowledge of the events said: Washington Comptroller As for DSS meeting with agents at the scene, “It was complete chaos.”

Second, this example of DSS leadership’s indifference to the well-being of lower-level agents is just the tip of the iceberg. Aspect Washington Comptroller to have previously reportedSenior leaders such as Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Gentry Smith and DSS Director Carlos Matus have opted to take short trips to Las Vegas before their organizations’ well-being and effectiveness, directing resources to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. DSS is known in the federal law enforcement community as an organization where “grunt agents” take on the burden of unpopular tasks while supervisors take office work or go on leave. This extends to DSS leadership in New York City. DSS field office in the Big Apple defective Making a single law enforcement investigative arrest in 2022 (compared to more than 100 arrests in previous years).

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Other leadership failures include a major, burgeoning counterintelligence concern involving a senior DSS agent and Iran, and the DSS’s failure to match diplomatic assistance from local law enforcement partners such as the NYPD and the Los Angeles Police Department in obtaining permits for DSS agents to carry out the war. Firearms at the recent Paris Olympic Games. This undermined talent Deployment of DSS agents to effectively protect Team USA athletes at the games.

As President-elect Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio take office in January, reforming this once proud organization should be at the top of their agenda.