Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Recommendations for Improved Interagency Coordination

Pending any determination on long-range reorganization, the Commission is convinced of the necessity for better coordination and direction of all government agencies furnishing information and services related to presidential security. The Commission believes the Secret Service, FBI, State Department, and CIA—when the President travels abroad—could improve their existing capacities and procedures to lessen the chances of assassination. Without reaching final conclusions on long-range organization, the Commission identifies specific measures flowing from the assassination facts that can and should be recommended.

General Supervision of the Secret Service

The intimacy of the Secret Service’s relationship to the White House and the dissimilarity of its protective functions to most Treasury Department activities have made close and continuing supervision difficult. The Commission believes the recommended Cabinet-level committee will help correct major deficiencies of supervision, but other measures are also needed to improve overall operation.

Recommendation for Dedicated Secret Service Supervisory Role

Daily supervision of Secret Service operations within Treasury should be improved. The Chief of the Service currently reports to the Secretary through an Assistant Secretary whose duties also include direct supervision of the Bureau of the Mint and the Department’s Employment Policy Program, and who has no technical qualifications in presidential protection. The Commission recommends that the Secretary of the Treasury appoint a special assistant responsible for supervising the Service. This assistant should have sufficient stature and experience in law enforcement, intelligence, or allied fields to provide effective continuing supervision and keep the Secretary fully informed on all significant developments relating to presidential protection.