NOOSE ALLEGEDLY FOUND AT SECRET SERVICE TRAINING CENTER

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Source: Cox Newspapers

The U.S. Secret Service has placed a white agent on leave after an African American employee reported finding a noose hanging at the service’s main training facility outside the nation’s capital.

The service has acknowledged “an allegation of misconduct” at its J.J. Rowley Training Center in Beltsville, Md., and that an employee last week was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. The employee is a veteran agent with the service, according to fellow agents.

The noose was found by an African American officer in the uniform division of the service during the week of April 14, according to those familiar with the alleged incident. That division protects the White House and surrounding grounds. He reported the incident to his supervisor and it was sent up the chain of command. He declined to comment for this story.

After learning about the alleged incident, Cox Newspapers asked the Secret Service whether a noose had been discovered at the training center.

“In response to your question, there has been an allegation of misconduct at our training center,” said Edwin M. Donovan, assistant special agent in charge of government and public affairs.



Read more: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/washington/secrecy/entries/2008/04/28/noose_allegedly_found_at_secre.html