Bye-Bye to the Service Star - What's next?

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Secretary Napolitano Announces Plan to Streamline Operations at DHS
April 2, 2009

On Friday, during an appearance at the TSA facility at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Secretary Napolitano announced plans to streamline operations at DHS, including 700 initiatives expected to save millions of dollars throughout the Department.

The plans are the result of a Department-wide efficiency review began by Napolitano shortly after her confirmation. The 700 new programs are divided into six categories: acquisition, asset and property management; hiring and credentialing of employees; and information technology. The wide-ranging initiatives include the elimination of all travel that is not mission-critical, acquiring enterprise licenses for commonly used software and using electronic methods of communication and recordation whenever possible to avoid the use of paper, which are collectively expected to lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in cost avoidance.

"No reports or documents will be printed that can be sent electronically or shared online," Napolitano said. The department also will invest in equipment that performs multiple tasks -- such as all-in-one printer, fax and copier machines -- to save money and space. In addition, it will require more conference calls and Web-based training to minimize employee travel that isn't mission critical.

The department also will begin using only the primary DHS seal and eliminating all other branding for individual offices and agencies. When DHS was created in 2002, it immediately faced the challenge of combining dozens of agencies with varied management cultures and missions. "We need to do things as an entire department -- not component by component," she said. "We all have noticed that across the Department, we have a lot of different seals and logos. And I don't know whether you know this or not, but since it was created, the department has spent $3 million on different logo and seal design, branding. That is ending today. I'm announcing our new seal."

Napolitano acknowledged the history and pride associated with each individual seal. "We're proud of this heritage, and thankful for that service. But we are also stewards of taxpayer dollars, and we're not spending any more money to develop any new logos for the future," said Napolitano. "We are one DHS."

Napolitano led a similar initiative when she was governor of Arizona, focusing on reducing costs and improving efficiency in procurement, energy conservation, travel, fleet management, training and electronic communications. The programs saved the state more than $1 billion, according to DHS officials.

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Today the Service Star is gone. How long before the name is gone as well?

Y'all have been around for a long time. As a Florida State Trooper I know some of you and would hate to see this portion of your identity taken away. It would be nice if your "boss" could intervene.

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Secretary Napolitano Announces Plan to Streamline Operations at DHS
April 2, 2009

On Friday, during an appearance at the TSA facility at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Secretary Napolitano announced plans to streamline operations at DHS, including 700 initiatives expected to save millions of dollars throughout the Department.

The plans are the result of a Department-wide efficiency review began by Napolitano shortly after her confirmation. The 700 new programs are divided into six categories: acquisition, asset and property management; hiring and credentialing of employees; and information technology. The wide-ranging initiatives include the elimination of all travel that is not mission-critical, acquiring enterprise licenses for commonly used software and using electronic methods of communication and recordation whenever possible to avoid the use of paper, which are collectively expected to lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in cost avoidance.

"No reports or documents will be printed that can be sent electronically or shared online," Napolitano said. The department also will invest in equipment that performs multiple tasks -- such as all-in-one printer, fax and copier machines -- to save money and space. In addition, it will require more conference calls and Web-based training to minimize employee travel that isn't mission critical.

The department also will begin using only the primary DHS seal and eliminating all other branding for individual offices and agencies. When DHS was created in 2002, it immediately faced the challenge of combining dozens of agencies with varied management cultures and missions. "We need to do things as an entire department -- not component by component," she said. "We all have noticed that across the Department, we have a lot of different seals and logos. And I don't know whether you know this or not, but since it was created, the department has spent $3 million on different logo and seal design, branding. That is ending today. I'm announcing our new seal."

Napolitano acknowledged the history and pride associated with each individual seal. "We're proud of this heritage, and thankful for that service. But we are also stewards of taxpayer dollars, and we're not spending any more money to develop any new logos for the future," said Napolitano. "We are one DHS."

Napolitano led a similar initiative when she was governor of Arizona, focusing on reducing costs and improving efficiency in procurement, energy conservation, travel, fleet management, training and electronic communications. The programs saved the state more than $1 billion, according to DHS officials.

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Today the Service Star is gone. How long before the name is gone as well?

Isn't it ironic that Napolitano (of all possible candidates) was considered by Obama to be the next Supreme Court Jusitce. If approved perhaps she would have tried to change the color of the justice's robes or some other crazy thing. Where are we headed?

[copfactor]

Are they taking away your Secret Service Badges too? Why in the world would she want to end the long, great history of the Secret Service by doing away with their official seal? I can see not allowing any money to make NEW seals, but if one exists, who cares? How does it save money by the Secret Service not using their official seal??? Since printers print whatever you tell it, and there is not extra cost to have it printed why change it?? This is part of the Obama administration to have the feds slowly, but surely take over everything and put it all under one umbrella, including private companies, health care, etc. What a sad day for AMERICA!

Sad Situation
This is merely the beginning by the Obama Adminstration to destroy the government, private companies and finally the country. When will people wake up and call for action to stop these type of stupid moves that will destroy our country.

You'll know that it's all over for individual agencies when the FBI gets absorbed into the Department of Justice along with the other Justice agencies and they all have one common badge.

[worfusa2008]

The Volume 1, 2009 issue of the Service Star arrived in the mail yesterday. I guess someone in HQ figured out how to do an end run around Janet. Too bad the Service can't get back under Treasury. The Treasury Secretary is no box of chocolates either, but at least he is not trying to fundamentally transform federal law enforcement into his own image and likeness. It's all about power, isn't it? Check out Lord Acton.

The Volume 1, 2009 issue of the Service Star arrived in the mail yesterday. I guess someone in HQ figured out how to do an end run around Janet. Too bad the Service can't get back under Treasury. The Treasury Secretary is no box of chocolates either, but at least he is not trying to fundamentally transform federal law enforcement into his own image and likeness. It's all about power, isn't it? Check out Lord Acton.

Yes, it is all about power. It is the same with all those bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. When will the general population wake up and vote these jerks out of office?

I still dont understand why the USSS is under DHS, one of its main missions is to investigate wire fraud/financial crimes, and to protect the integrity of our currency/banking systems. The other function is protecting the president and a few others and a few buildings in an around DC.
Keep the star and go back under Treasury. DHS is too large.