Secret Service director: It will never happen again

It is clear that our security plan was not executed properly (on Sept. 19). I take full responsibility; what happened is unacceptable and it will never happen again.

All decisions made that evening are being evaluated, including decisions on tactics and use of force, in light of the totality of the circumstances confronting those officers.

I am committed to:

• A complete and thorough investigation of the facts of this incident, to include necessary personnel actions.

• A complete and thorough review of all policies, procedures and protocols in place that govern the security of the White House complex and our response to this incident.

• A coordinated, informed effort to make any and all adjustments necessary to ensure the safety and security of the president and first family and those who work at and visit the White House.

White House emergency action plans are multifaceted and tailored to each threat. The Secret Service has apprehended 16 individuals who have jumped the fence over the last five years, including six this year alone.

Our officers and agents routinely leverage their training and experience to make decisions to arrest or transfer these individuals to appropriate facilities for mental health evaluations.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of all who work and live at the White House, while preserving accessibility to millions of visitors per year, requires a unique balance.

We are constantly adjusting the security measures for the president and first family, and the White House. There is no such thing as "business as usual" in our line of work; we have to be successful 100% of the time, and we are constantly making changes and doing everything possible to ensure that we are.

The Secret Service has had its share of challenges in recent years — some during my tenure and some before — of which this is the most recent. I intend over the coming months to redouble my efforts, not only in response to this incident, but in general to bring the Secret Service to a level of performance that lives up to the vital mission we perform, the important individuals we protect, and the American people we serve.