Six-point agenda for change at the US Department of Homeland Security

Secretary Michael Chertoff has announced a six-point agenda for the Department of Homeland Security designed to “ensure that the Department’s policies, operations, and structures are aligned in the best way to address the potential threats – both present and future – that face our nation”.

The announcement reflects conclusions drawn as a result of the Second Stage Review, a careful study of the Department’s programs, policies, operations and structure. The Review examined nearly every element of the Department of Homeland Security in order to recommend ways that DHS could better manage risk in terms of threat, vulnerability and consequence; prioritise policies and operational missions according to this risk-based approach; and establish a series of preventive and protective steps that would increase security at multiple levels.

“DHS must base its work on priorities driven by risk,” said Secretary Chertoff. “Our goal is to maximise our security, but not security at any price. Our security regime must promote Americans’ freedom, prosperity, mobility, and individual privacy.”

The Secretary’s six-point agenda will guide DHS in the near term and result in changes that will:

* Increase overall preparedness, particularly for catastrophic events;

* Create better transportation security systems to move people and cargo more securely and efficiently;

* Strengthen border security and interior enforcement and reform immigration processes;

* Enhance information sharing with our partners;

* Improve DHS financial management, human resource development, procurement and information technology; and

* Realign the DHS organisation to maximise mission performance.

Secretary Chertoff announced that details of new policy initiatives in these six areas will be announced in the coming weeks and months, including:

* A new approach to securing US borders through additional personnel, new technologies, infrastructure investments, and interior enforcement - coupled with efforts to reduce the demand for illegal border migration by channelling migrants seeking work into regulated legal channels;

* Restructuring the current immigration process to enhance security and improve customer service;

* Reaching out to state homeland security officials to improve information exchange protocols, refine the Homeland Security Advisory System, support state and regional data fusion centres, and address other topics of mutual concern; and

* Investing in the Department’s most important asset – its people – with top-notch professional career training and development efforts.

•Date: 14th July 2005 • Region: US • Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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