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U. S. CAPTIOL POLICE CHIEF
GAINER RIGHT IN PROTECTING THE NATION’S CAPITOL
Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee
, has hurled outrageous and unwarranted criticism directed at U. S. Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer claiming Gainer
has overstepped his authority by tapping an emergency fund for setting up security checkpoints around Capitol Hill. Kingston accuses Gainer’s of desiring to expand police power without debate, accuses him of being too aggressive and justifying his actions more on politics and relationships than substance. Kingston also seems to listen too much to D. C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, a meddlesome politician, who always has to
have her voice heard on issues that are often beyond her expertise and authority particularly in the area of police issues and security matters.
Kingston’s
flagrant assault on Chief Gainer’s actions and motives are blatantly inaccurate and undeserved. Gainer, a veteran
and savvy police professional, has been in the law enforcement business for more than three decades and his motives, actions, and behavior comprise the highest degree of integrity.
He is extremely dedicated to the goals of maintaining security and is focused on the necessity of doing all he can to prevent a potential terrorist attack from occurring at the nation’s Capitol. Gainer, who possesses a law degree and certainly knows right from wrong, has acted in full compliance with the law and has taken appropriate security measures deemed necessary based
on intelligence, knowledge, and expertise contrary to what Kingston might think.
Kingston
needs to understand that Gainer has a job to do, and he needs to be allowed to do it without interference. Gainer
, far more than Kingston, is attuned to the risks and dangers that are inherent in a post-9/11 world, and his meeting with Israeli police officials in 2002 only
served to reinforce the keen awareness he possesses to focus on substance—not politics—as Kingston so inaccurately blames him for doing.
Kingston seems to have quickly forgotten the critical impact of 9/11/01 when he states, “Nine-eleven and security has become a new way to spend money, and we need to be careful”.
Mr. Kingston
shows his naiveté if he cannot recognize the fact that as a result of 9/11 there is definitely a pertinent need to spend money on security for the nation’s capitol and metropolitan region. Kingston is obviously not attuned to the reality of the world that we now live in, and he would better serve us all by leaving Chief Gainer
alone to do the job that he is expertly qualified to do. This region should be extremely grateful to have such a highly capable leader as Chief Gainer
commanding the security of the nation’s capitol.
Karen L. Bune
Karen L. Bune is an Adjunct Professor in the Dept. of Criminal Justice at George Mason University.
She is also a national victim services consultant and a national speaker on terrorism and homeland security issues.
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