Incoming DHS chief kicks off top-to-bottom review.

• Author: Pappalardo, Joe
• Position: SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Brief - Department of Homeland Security - Michael Chertoff - Brief Article

When Michael Chertoff, the new secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, took the helm of the new government agency in March, he wasted no time imposing a department-wide self-examination.

"I have initiated a comprehensive review of the organization, operations and policies of the Department as a whole," he said during a speech in mid-March. "Over the course of the next 60 to 90 days, this comprehensive review will examine what we need to do, and what we are doing, without regard to component structures and programmatic categories."

DHS has been beset with charges from politicians and Beltway watchers that it lacks structure, a clear sense of direction and overall management focus. Chalked up by some as growing pains from the giant governmental reorganization that created it, and mismanagement by the administration by others, getting DHS under control will be a monumental task for the new secretary. "The first thing we have to do is examine the mission and work of all...