Yes, I Cheated on that Exam

Imagine being a hiring manager, and you administer a test to determine the best candidate. Cheating is not allowed, not even in an open-book test.

Let’s take it one step further. The cheaters are working in the security industry -- for the FBI. Does this catch your eye?

Apparently the Inspector General of the Department of Justice has found widespread cheating by certain employees of the FBI on an examination designed to test their knowledge of the Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide. The IG report raises concerns concerning the integrity of these law enforcement officials.

The findings are, to say the least, alarming. In fact, in one case, two special agents in charge took the exam in the same room with a legal advisor while discussing the answers with each other. And, to confuse matters even more, the head of the Washington Field Office took notes for when he took the course at a later date.

This isn’t security. It’s cheating.

“The findings of the IG raise serious questions about the integrity of the FBI employees, as well as the FBI’s overall regard for the significance of the DIOG,” said Sen. Susan M. Collins, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “To be successful, the FBI must use the full array of its authorities within boundaries that are defined by the Constitution, our laws and the DIOG.”

Collins is absolutely correct in calling for an investigation because there is no shortage of high-profile cases that demonstrate the need for FBI employees to understand the full scope of their authorities, yet still appreciate the lawful limits of their activities.

“A more complete understanding of the DIOG and other authorities by Joint Terrorism Task Force employees might have helped avert the attack on Fort Hood,” Collins wrote in a letter to FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III.

DIOG instructions and limitations must be instinctive for FBI employees, and for security’s sake, agents just appreciate the nuances and legal underpinnings of the guidelines.

Cheaters never prosper, and in this case, cheating raises serious doubts about the commitment of many FBI employees.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.