U.S. Customs Service Reassessment Urged Following 9/11 Organizational Changes
Brian J. Smith, a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, United States Customs Service, is advocating for a rigorous retrospective examination of the decision to reorganize the U.S. Customs Service after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The 9/11 attacks prompted a fundamental reassessment of homeland security, leading to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2002. On March 1, 2003, approximately 180,000 personnel from 22 organizations were integrated into the new department. However, the U.S. Customs Service was not transferred intact; its inspection, investigative, trade, and enforcement capabilities were divided among various new organizations within DHS. Smith argues that while the patriotism and competence of current DHS personnel are not in question, the organizational architecture implemented in 2003 needs to be evaluated to determine if it preserved the institutional knowledge, specialized authorities, professional culture, mission...
