Secret Service tightens conduct rules post-scandal
Apr 27, 2012, 10:24 PM
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Secret Service circulated “enhanced standards of conduct” on Friday from Director Mark Sullivan in response to the prostitution scandal in Colombia. The document, obtained by The Associated Press, instructed employees to “consider your conduct through the lens of the past several weeks.”
Highlights of the guidelines:
_Standards of conduct briefings for all protective visits and events.
_Briefings by the State Department in the region for Secret Service personnel upon their arrival about areas and establishments deemed off-limits.
_No foreign nationals, excluding hotel staff and official law enforcement counterparts, are allowed in hotel rooms.
_Patronizing non-reputable establishments is prohibited.
_Alcohol to be consumed only in moderate amounts while off duty on a (temporary) assignment and alcohol use is prohibited within 10 hours of reporting for duty.
_Banning alcohol consumption at hotel once the protective visit has begun.
_On at least some trips, two senior supervisors including one from the Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility will chaperone trips. Their responsibilities include briefing the standards of conduct prior to the departure and enforcing the rules in-country.
_To be eligible for travel, service personnel must complete relevant ethics training.
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