Rogues Gallery: The Bureaucrats
R. P. Rober
Navy NCIS ("Eye Spy")
Deputy CIA Director R. P. Rober is a typical government bureaucrat, toeing the party line, and denying involvement in illegal espionage after a covert company satellite inadvertently captures a murder on tape. When first contacted for information by Agent Gibbs of the NCIS, Rober is taken unawares, indignant--"You're accusing the Agency of spying on a U. S. Naval station!" He's unusually calm, almost detached as Gibbs confronts him with the knowledge that the call reporting the murder came from the CIA building.
Unwilling to admit he might have an employee acting outside his control, Rober tries to bluff by spouting company policy--"I'm not denying we have the capability, but you know as well as I do it would be a violation of the CIA mandate to operate domestically." Even though NCIS simply wants his assistance in solving the murder, Rober refuses--"There's nothing I can do to help you Agent Gibbs," he states flatly.
Later, when he learns it's true, Rober tries to effect damage control by putting the offending agent on Administrative leave.
It takes the confession of his own employee, and the threat of exposure to a congressional subcommittee to end the cat and mouse game. Being a practical man, Rober knows when to cut his losses, and quietly agrees to cooperate with the Naval Criminal Investigators.
Bill Buchanan
24 ("Days 4, 5 and 6")
Bill Buchanan is a Division chief with the Counter Terrorism Unit, sent in to take charge of the current national security crisis, and to provide support for the Director of the Los Angeles office.
Whether it's a missing nuclear warhead or a shipment of deadly nerve gas, whatever the emergency, Buchanan remains decisive and in control.
He's not the typical bureaucrat, but a man who listens to his people and lets them do their jobs, stepping in only when needed. Being human, he's as capable as anyone of snapping at those he thinks have screwed up or who question his authority. And he has little patience with subordinates who play games or don't stay on task, telling one "I don't have time for your personality disorder!" But he can apologize as well if that's what is needed to get the team back on track.
Comfortable in his own skin and confident in his ability to do the job, Buchanan is strong-minded and clear-thinking, playing by the book until it becomes apparent that looking the other way is the only approach that will avert disaster and get them the answers they need.