The OIG uncovered Federal Protective Service (FPS) leased more vehicles than it had officers. What reasons might explain this?

2015-10-28T18:55:26-04:00

The security force that protects federal buildings has more SUVs than officers, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) watchdog, which found $2.5 million wasted each year due to mismanagement of its vehicle fleet. The Federal Protective Service (FPS) had 101 more law enforcement vehicles than officers last year, and spent taxpayer funding to upgrade its SUVs with bike racks, the new audit released by the Office of Inspector General found.
"FPS is not managing its fleet effectively," the OIG said. "FPS did not properly justify that its current fleet is necessary to carry out its operational mission." "Specifically, FPS did not justify the need for: more vehicles than officers; administrative vehicles; larger sport utility vehicles; home-to-work miles in one region; and discretionary equipment added to vehicles," they said.
The FPS has a fleet of 1,169 vehicles, the vast majority of which are SUVs. The fleet cost $10.7 million to lease last year.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/10/28/federal-protective-service-has-more-cars-than-officers/?intcmp=hplnws

Watchdog: Federal security force has more cars than officers, wastes millions

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 7:20 PM

2015-10-28T19:20:05-04:00

Sad...but funny picture...a bit true.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 28 at 2015 7:53 PM

2015-10-28T19:53:22-04:00

The number of cars and number of officers are independent of each other.

As a very simple example, issue 1 "patrol car" to every officer. Then identify that you also need SUVs for "specialized work." You now have more vehicles than officers.

Now, you also have all these agencies that work together or near each other, which can create "perceptual issues." A very simple example is that there is no Hospital on MCB Quantico (there is a clinic). So if a Marine or Sailor is sick/injured beyond the capability of the base, we go to Ft Belvoir. Ft Belvoir's resources "may" be adjusted accordingly.

Fleet vehicles can be used in the same fashion.