Homeland Security Restructuring on Tap

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is ordering a restructuring of the department formed two years ago to centralize national security efforts.

Chertoff set up a Second Stage Review in March when he became Homeland Security’s second secretary. The resulting revamping will affect much of the 180,000-employee department.

While many of the expected changes will be out of sight of most people, the restructuring is expected to have a positive effect on the department’s mandate of protecting the United States.

Among changes that government officials have revealed are preparations of massive terror attacks, border protection and immigration plans and improving screening processes for people and cargo entering the country.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday Chertoff would create a homeland intelligence office to coordinate the department’s law-enforcement and emergency-response duties.

The Washington Post said Chertoff wants to place Homeland Security components into intelligence, operations and policy buckets. The department also will create an undersecretary for policy position for policy.