What the heck is up with Federal Law Enforcement ?

[RMAC757]

Each issue, and each agency, has its own complex problems based on different circumstances. I know some supervisors with the U.S. Marshal Service, I have been to some leadership courses with them, and they eat, sleep, and crap professional. Same with the couple of DEA and FBI folks I know. These are large bureaucracies, thousands of agents doing many things. There is always a small 1%-2% part of any bureaucracy that is not performing to standard, or worse actually doing wrong things.

Don't paint everyone with the same brush. I would still feel absolutely comfortable relying on those guys for my life. No questions asked. If you know a special agent in any of the federal LE agencies you can ask them "what do you think about (fill in the scandal)" and I bet that they will be more disgusted and angry over the issue than you are because most feel that a brother or sister has let them down, broke a sacred trust, or flat betrayed them all.

In no way am I thinking of all of the agents with the same skepticism. I have too many friends that work as agents in the Federal Govt and they are some of the most professional people I've ever been around. It's just the nature of the wrong doing by a few and the subsequent reprimands that bother me.

[davewilson]

I believe that the "tone from the top" principle applies to government as well as business. If subordinates of unethical and immoral managers don't adopt those unethical and immoral behaviors, then morale across the organization dramatically drops. In the federal government, particularly, it's difficult to give up a career and get away from a toxic atmosphere.

https://www.ventureline.com/accounti...op-definition/

TONE AT THE TOP refers to how an organization's leadership creates the tone at the top - an ethical (or unethical) atmosphere in the workplace. Management's tone has a trickle-down effect on employees. If top managers uphold ethics and integrity so will employees. But if upper management appears unconcerned with ethics and focuses solely on the bottom line, employees will be more prone to commit fraud and feel that ethical conduct isn't a priority. In short, employees will follow the examples of their bosses

[hurley842002]

Mine wouldn't and I'm just being honest. Yes, it's a job with good benefits, but it's not like the people you serve in that position are making the world a better place. Most of our leadership is in it for themselves and transferring power from the People to their pet causes and personal politics.

With several years in LE at the state level, I can't help but address this statement.

If for one minute a PUBLIC SERVANT thinks the only people they are serving is their immediate supervisor, they are in the wrong profession.

[RMAC757]

I'm at a job where for the most part leadership changes every 5 years. It's almost never for the good of employees. Stock holders come first. However this never compromises our professionalism or safe nature under which we operate. Peoples lives depend on us always having our A game.

[hurley842002]

I'm at a job where for the most part leadership changes every 5 years. It's almost never for the good of employees. Stock holders come first. However this never compromises our professionalism or safe nature under which we operate. Peoples lives depend on us always having our A game.

Well said.

[Skip]

Oddly enough I feel in many ways that I and many of my colleagues are better than many of our bosses.

[snip]

I don't disagree that you are, objectively, but subjectively you are never valued/perceived to be better because a bad boss will drag everyone down.

And this is coming from someone who has worked for some horrible bosses (mostly private sector). Doesn't matter how hard the team works, or how much good they do, it can easily be flushed right down the shitter. In those cases, I acted with integrity and resigned because my heart could no longer be in it.

But if I were tied to a pension, benefits, decent paycheck, and faced questionable prospects I might make a different decision for my family.

I think this is one reason I am skeptical of public sector work in general. If it were structured more like private sector work, folks could exercise their conscious without feeling like they are throwing it all away.

[Skip]

With several years in LE at the state level, I can't help but address this statement.

If for one minute a PUBLIC SERVANT thinks the only people they are serving is their immediate supervisor, they are in the wrong profession.

As disconnected as Federal agencies, and employees are, I think does happen. With the limited insight we get into high profile cases (don't make me list them) we see that kind of behavior frequently. And it might be the minority but it seems to be getting the most sunlight these days.

I don't view local LE as being problematic and have never had a bad experience (except for Boulder Co years ago but that was a minor traffic ticket). Of course, this thread wasn't about local LE that has connections to the folks/communities they serve which I think is very positive for everyone.

[hurley842002]

As disconnected as Federal agencies, and employees are, I think does happen. With the limited insight we get into high profile cases (don't make me list them) we see that kind of behavior frequently. And it might be the minority but it seems to be getting the most sunlight these days.

I don't view local LE as being problematic and have never had a bad experience (except for Boulder Co years ago but that was a minor traffic ticket). Of course, this thread wasn't about local LE that has connections to the folks/communities they serve which I think is very positive for everyone.

I wasn't disputing if it happens or not, merely stating the way (I think?) it's supposed to be. I won't debate it tho, as I'm not very good at debating. Just feel the need to throw an opinion every now and then, usually going against my better judgment when I do.

[Monky]

I suppose I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum. I know a few in the alphabet agencies that are actual agents. Most I know are in their legal depts.

When I talk to them and ask them about things.. it's interesting. They're being gutted on so many levels. It's been the good ol'boys club for too long. They need a massive shake up from the top down. Favors and 'owing' people are leading to horrible choices in running even the local levels. They've all said promotions aren't based on merit.. it's like the politburo.. it's who you know.

[MED]

It happens when there's no leadership at any level above you.

+1 Compounded with bad and criminal leadership.