Two suspects Prosecuted for spoofing Homeland Security Research Agent (HSI). Authorities say they were able to trick individuals, including secret services and HSI employees who lived in the same apartment, into believing in their identity as federal agents for still unknown reasons.
Arian Taherzadeh and Haider Ali were arrested on April 6 and charged with impersonating federal law enforcement agencies. Neither man has been pleaed yet.
These shocking accusations and circumstances have raised questions about national security, counterintelligence, ethics, and the wisdom of federal agencies that receive gifts from any individual, regardless of their position.
Federal gifts are for all personnel Personnel Management Office (OPM).. Rules vary by institution, but in general, gift rules prevent individuals or groups from unduely affecting federal officials for certain benefits from the government, not for personnel but for public activities. It is provided for the purpose of the government.
However, due to their proximity to government leaders, including the president, many have expressed particular concern to secret service personnel.
Typically, Work for secret service In any position, the individual must be an American citizen, have a security clearance, pass a background check, and meet other physical requirements. The hiring process is rigorous and can usually last for more than a year due to the depth of background checks.
During the process, in addition to detailed background checks, secret services require both physical screening and polygraph testing. Secret services are one of the only federal agencies that require polygraph testing before adoption.
A background check requires an individual to submit documents and answer questions related to all aspects of life, from birth to school education, relationships, and the economy. These aspects of life are checked against computer databases to ensure that what an individual presents is factual and accurate.
At any point in this process, either in the background or in the polygraph, an individual may not be offered a position if an unanswered question arises. As a result, secret services typically employ only a few hundred people each year for thousands of applicants.
Once adopted, the screening will not stop. Additional security clearance screenings are conducted for their national security operations to ensure that individuals deserve top secret or better clearance. This includes the absence of foreign influences. If a problem occurs during the security clearance check, the clearance may be denied and terminated.
Secret service personnel are also subject to random drug screening and require a five-year background update. This will recover any changes or additions made over the last 5 years, in addition to some of the original background material. In addition, Secret Services and other federal agencies have the authority to perform random screening of staff.
If there was a malicious goal of the alleged scammer, it’s still unclear what it was, but the question remains. Also, while the FBI is investigating a man allegedly disguised as a federal agent, both the Secret Service and DHS inspectors identify and mitigate potential gaps and security issues resulting from this incident. Conduct a powerful investigation.
In 2019, the last year without a pandemic, the secret service will have more than 7,721 domestic trips. overseas trip There were few incidents with parents during 372 overseas trips.
In the history of the renowned success of secret services, agencies have always tried to learn and adapt to be better in the event of a failure. 2014 US Secret Service Protection Mission Panel Report, Other agencies asked about the secret service unanimously agreed that the secret service was “no companion” when it came to protection.
Donald J. Mihalek is a contributor to ABC News, a retired Senior Secret Service Agent, and a regional field training instructor who served in two presidential changes. He was also a police officer and belonged to the United States Coast Guard.
