US ports susceptible to employing criminals because of flaws in ID card vetting system
People with criminal backgrounds could be slipping through vetting procedures and working at US ports according to a report by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Inspector General Office.
The Office, a government watchdog, faults slipshod management by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), particularly regarding its Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) program, which issues cards to workers entering secure areas of port facilities.
The Inspector General Office’s critique found a lack of oversight and proper guidance for the TWIC system and that consequently quality controls were deficient, leading to the potential for credentials to be issued under dubious circumstances.
It recommends the TSA designate a body to co-ordinate guidance for the TWIC program, to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis and to develop better, measurable methods for vetting criminals.
