Read the posting “Its About Accountability” for an interesting perspective on the new SAC’s.
Here is another. It comes from me as a third-hand account but you’ll have to trust me on this, my posting is as good as first-hand.
Richardson is an ASAC in Phoenix. He gives a pep talk to his Tucson office about going all out to make VCIT cases. He advises the group that he will grant a personal variance to policy requiring written operational plans in lieu of verbal plans when investigative opportunities are present. He tells them words to the affect of, "I got your back".
Two agents are in the field operating under approved written and verbal operational plans scouting for suspects at a known crime “hot spot”. One of the agents is an import from another division sent to specifically work on VCIT cases.
Earlier in the day the agents have participated in three separate undercover operations resulting in the purchase of evidence for VCIT cases. (These purchases later result in arrests and convictions and VCIT stats that Richardson lays claim to.)
Why hunting for VCIT suspects an altercation occurs and the agents are involved.
Sensing he may have some accountability Richardson immediately denies having given the agents permission to be working, a.k.a. "the Marvin Shuffle". Without speaking to the agents or knowing any of the facts he accuses the agents of drinking on duty, starting the altercation, and a dereliction of duty. He orders the agents to prepare statements and submit them to him for his personal review.
The agents comply but demand that Richardson’s allegations be made formal. Knowing they are in the right the agents call in an “air strike” on themselves and demand that Internal Affairs investigate the allegations being made against them by Richardson.
Richardson backs off when he realizes he panicked and no formal investigation is ever requested. The agents then openly challenge Richardson for the cowardice he displayed in not supporting them behind the direct instructions and approvals he provided. Richardson advises the agents that is accountable to no one but himself and is offended that the agents have questioned his actions and authority.
Months later in a total payback move for being called out, Richardson attempts to accuse one of the agents of misuse of a government vehicle. He again has no facts or accurate information. His allegation is quickly dismissed by facts. The agent again demands to have Richardson’s allegations internally investigated. No formal investigation is ever requested.
Richardson leaves Phoenix and is promoted to, you guessed it, the Chief of the Professional Review Board. The PRB sits as a star chamber that determines punishments for accused agents. In that role Richardson attempts to have the same agents disciplined on trumped up and weak accusations but fails.
The beauty in all of this is something we in the field like to call a "paper trail". If I can get the permission from those involed I'll post up the documents to include a letter Richardson wrote telling the agents words to the affect, "What are you so upset about? It all worked out. You got a paycheck didn't you? Nobody held a gun to your head and made you go work cases, you did that on your own."
I have first-hand stories equal and worse than this on Gleysteen but they would take hours tell them all. They are actually much more pathetic. In a nutshell: not who you want to be working for if you are an agent. By nearly all accounts of agents who have worked for or with these guys they have never stood up for or protected anyone but themselves.
ATF has 22 field divisions so that means 44 ASAC’s. Mix in the 10 or 15 headquarters managers who would be eligible for a SAC job. At 60 potential candidates Richardson and Gleysteen are the best that ATF can come up with to lead field divisions into the next decade.
Melson, Hoover, Chait and McMahon own these choices. Only the future will tell how that works out but the past indicates it won’t be good.
Future of the Bureau
Started by Doc Holiday, Feb 19 2010 12:02 AM
5 replies to this topic
#2
Concernedsup
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 07:20 AM
C4
I agree a couple of selections does not hurt the agency but when you start adding them up, what you have now is what you get. One at a time, amking dubboius selections, adds up. Thes 2 selected could one day very well be a Director, DD or AD. Make the right choices from the get go and we wouldn't be in the pickle that we are in now, possibly changing names!!!!
#3
Thor God of Thunder
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Posted 21 February 2010 - 11:10 PM
We are operating in a continuous fog! A friend of mine indicated to me that ATF has not had an original idea in 20 years. The hiring for attrition idea...never done. The growing of our agency with mass hires....done only when we are about to lose alot of people to retirement. The purchase of cars on a regular basis so we do not have cars with high mileage.....we underpurchase the number of cars needed. Achilles...ACES...Project Safe Neighborhoods....VCIT....HIDTA....OCEDTF....Southwest Border.....different names for the field agent it is called law enforcement. While improvements have been made in some areas, I agree this agency continues to operate in a continuous fog and funk of its own.My .02 cents worth...I don't think the future of the Bureau is summed up by a few selections (KC and Denver), while they might not be popular, we've seen worse and in regards to this Bureau its the normal cycle. My opinon...start looking at BIG picture! Just returning from Miami suggests to me that $$ and politics are playing a big part in our future and honestly if i might opine, i think we'd be better serving our country in a department that not only supports its subordinate agencies fiscally speaking but also supports us in regards to manpower and overall well being if you will.
All that said, is it me or is this agency operaing in a continuous fog!
Just my .02 cents.
Carpe Diem
C4
For Clean Up ATF!
#4
C4user
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Posted 21 February 2010 - 06:01 PM
My .02 cents worth...I don't think the future of the Bureau is summed up by a few selections (KC and Denver), while they might not be popular, we've seen worse and in regards to this Bureau its the normal cycle. My opinon...start looking at BIG picture! Just returning from Miami suggests to me that $$ and politics are playing a big part in our future and honestly if i might opine, i think we'd be better serving our country in a department that not only supports its subordinate agencies fiscally speaking but also supports us in regards to manpower and overall well being if you will.
All that said, is it me or is this agency operaing in a continuous fog!
Just my .02 cents.
Carpe Diem
C4
#5
Concernedsup
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Posted 20 February 2010 - 06:37 AM
Doc,
You didn't have to wait long to find out the future of the Bureau. Gleysteen for KC and Richardson for Denver. Business as usual or probably even worse. I said it once and I'll say it again it's the Titanic and the captain has no clue that a BIIIIIG iceberg is staring him in the face and he refuse to alter the course. I came in this agency under Higgins, Hartnett and Conroy. Back in the day we thought oh my god. Well from my stand point I'd take those 3 any day of the week now and that is one sorry statement. Well I can safely say we have reached an all time low and sinking lower by the day. Unfortunately, the ones getting hurt or damaged are the hard working agents dedicated to this agency.
#6
Doc Holiday
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Posted 19 February 2010 - 12:02 AM
Selections will be posted soon related to SAC Kansas City and SAC Denver. We are all watching to see if Mr Chait and Mr. Melson is going to take into condideration the work history,experience and lack of controversy in the commands of the Kumors, Thomas's or the Sweetows of the agency. OR will they place some ASAC who has ongoing disputes, findings of lack of candor, ethical or integrity violations or perjury spanning several years. Pay very close attention. Not only the future of the Bureau is on the line based on AD Mark Chaits leadership, but your ability to do your job and hold poor bosses accountable.
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