Secretary Norton Approves Measures to
Improve Interior Law Enforcement, Security

WASHINGTON -- Interior Secretary Gale Norton today formally approved more than 20 measures proposed by a special review panel to improve law enforcement throughout the department, including the appointment of a deputy assistant secretary for law enforcement and security.

The measures, which were largely consistent with those made by the department's Inspector General in a report Norton requested earlier this year, will improve training, supervision, oversight and coordination among the five Interior agencies with law enforcement personnel: National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Reclamation.

"The Interior Department has a long and proud history of law enforcement," Norton said. "One of my top priorities is to build upon this history to develop and maintain the most modern, professional, and effective law enforcement capability possible in a civilian government agency. The measures I am approving today will help us reach that goal."

Norton already has begun to implement some of the key recommendations, including the appointment of the new deputy assistant secretary, who will have broad responsibilities, including developing law enforcement staffing models, establishing consistent departmental training requirements and monitoring their implementation, overseeing the hiring of key law enforcement and security personnel, establishing updated emergency procedures, and overseeing and reviewing bureau law enforcement and security budgets.

At the secretary's discretion, the deputy assistant secretary also will be given direct authority in times of emergency to oversee the deployment of all departmental law enforcement officers. "The terrorist attack last September highlighted the need to have one person directing our law enforcement and security efforts in times of national crisis," Norton said.

Other recommendations the Secretary approved include:

• The five agencies will establish a senior-level director of law enforcement and fill it with an experienced law enforcement professional. This position will report directly to the bureau director or deputy director. These directors will serve as members of the Secretary's Law Enforcement and Security Board of Advisors.

• The agencies will alter their chains of commands to have law enforcement special agents in the field report directly to the bureau directors of law enforcement rather than to non-law enforcement management.

• A single, departmental Internal Affairs Unit will be established in the Office of Law Enforcement and Security, to provide independent, objective oversight over all departmental law enforcement officers and managers.

• The department will continue to implement improvements to the physical security of the Main Interior Building, including appointing a senior-level emergency coordinator.

"I am pleased that the review panel was able to bring its recommendations to me in a timely fashion," Norton said. "As a result, we will have more effective law enforcement and better security throughout the department."

Norton noted that Interior Department law enforcement personnel had dedicated long hours and gone far beyond their normal duties to help protect both the department and the American people.

"In response to the September 11 attacks, Interior Department law enforcement personnel provided increased security for dams, power plants, bridges, and monuments of national importance, such as the Statue of Liberty and Washington Monument, and made significant contributions to the air marshal program, " Norton said. "All Americans should be grateful for their service."

The review panel's full report to the secretary is available online at www.doi.gov/news/lawreport.pdf

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