John L. Helgerson
Encyclopedia
John L. Helgerson is a long-time official of the United States
' most senior intelligence
agency, the CIA.
Helgerson was the CIA Inspector General from 2002-2009. Helgerson is a graduate of Saint Olaf College. His Masters
and PhD
are from Duke University
in Political Science
.
Before joining the CIA Helgerson was a research associate at the University of Zambia
and a Professor
at the University of Cincinnati
.
Helgerson's tenure since he joined the CIA, in 1971, has been on the research-analytical side, rather than the operational side. His most recent post was Inspector General
.
Helgerson drafted a critical review of former director George Tenet
's tenure, delivered to the US Congress in September 2005, that recommended "punitive sanctions".
In December 2005 press reports quoting unnamed CIA sources state that Helgerson is investigating "erroneous extraordinary renditions" -- that is the extrajudicial kidnapping, for the purpose of extreme interrogation, of suspected enemies, like Maher Arar
and Khalid El-Masri
, who turned out to be completely innocent.
In October 2007 it was reported that CIA director Michael Hayden had launched an inquiry into Helgerson's conduct as Inspector General of the CIA.
In 2009, a report John Helgerson had written on CIA interrogations was ordered released by a US judge. That reported described, and strongly criticized the use of harsh interrogation techniques against detainees.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' most senior intelligence
Intelligence (information gathering)
Intelligence assessment is the development of forecasts of behaviour or recommended courses of action to the leadership of an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert. Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership...
agency, the CIA.
Helgerson was the CIA Inspector General from 2002-2009. Helgerson is a graduate of Saint Olaf College. His Masters
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
are from Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
.
Before joining the CIA Helgerson was a research associate at the University of Zambia
University of Zambia
The University of Zambia is Zambia's largest university, founded in 1966. It has a student population of about 10,000.-Academics:The University of Zambia is divided into the following faculties:*School of Agricultural Sciences *School of Engineering...
and a Professor
at the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
.
Helgerson's tenure since he joined the CIA, in 1971, has been on the research-analytical side, rather than the operational side. His most recent post was Inspector General
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
.
Helgerson drafted a critical review of former director George Tenet
George Tenet
George John Tenet was the Director of Central Intelligence for the United States Central Intelligence Agency, and is Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at Georgetown University....
's tenure, delivered to the US Congress in September 2005, that recommended "punitive sanctions".
In December 2005 press reports quoting unnamed CIA sources state that Helgerson is investigating "erroneous extraordinary renditions" -- that is the extrajudicial kidnapping, for the purpose of extreme interrogation, of suspected enemies, like Maher Arar
Maher Arar
Maher Arar is a telecommunications engineer with dual Syrian and Canadian citizenship who resides in Canada. Arar's story is frequently referred to as "extraordinary rendition" but the U.S. government insisted it was a case of deportation.Arar was detained during a layover at John F...
and Khalid El-Masri
Khalid El-Masri
Khalid El-Masri is a German citizen who was kidnapped in the Republic of Macedonia, flown to Afghanistan, allegedly beaten, stripped, raped, and interrogated and tortured by the CIA for several months as a part of the War on Terror, and then released...
, who turned out to be completely innocent.
In October 2007 it was reported that CIA director Michael Hayden had launched an inquiry into Helgerson's conduct as Inspector General of the CIA.
In 2009, a report John Helgerson had written on CIA interrogations was ordered released by a US judge. That reported described, and strongly criticized the use of harsh interrogation techniques against detainees.