The

Secret Service Story

Worthy of Trust and Confidence

United States Secret Service

U.S. Department of

Homeland Security

United States

Secret Service
The

Secret Service

Story

The United States Secret Service is one of the most 

elite law enforcement organizations in the world. It 

has earned this reputation through more than 140 

years of integrity and service to the nation. As one 

of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies in the 

country, the U.S. Secret Service has a dual mission 

that includes investigations as well as protection of 

the President and Vice President of the United States 

and others. These unique characteristics distinguish 

the U.S. Secret Service from all other law enforcement 

organizations.

History

By the end of the American 

Civil War, nearly one-third of 

all U.S. currency in circulation 

was counterfeit. As a result, 

the country’s financial stability 

was in jeopardy. To address 

this concern, the U.S. Secret 

Service was established in 1865 

as a bureau of the Treasury 

Department to suppress the 

widespread counterfeiting of 

U.S. currency. The U.S. Secret Service’s protective 

mission began after President William McKinley’s 

assassination in 1901. Following this tragedy, 

Congress authorized the U.S. Secret Service to protect 

the President of the United States. On March 1, 2003, 

the U.S. Secret Service was transferred to the U.S. 

Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Secret 

Service’s expertise in carrying out protection and 

investigations are integral to the department’s mission 

of keeping America safe. 
Protective Mission

Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 3056, 

describes the agency’s authority as provided by 

law. Since the U.S. Secret Service’s protective 

mission began in 1901, the agency’s jurisdiction has 

expanded to meet the needs of an evolving security 

environment. The U.S. Secret Service is authorized by 

law to protect: 

• The President of the United States 

• The Vice President of the United States

• The President’s and Vice President’s immediate 

families

• Former Presidents, their spouses and their minor 

children under the age of 16. In 1997, Congress 

authorized legislation limiting protection of former 

presidents to 10 years after leaving office, making 

President Clinton the last President who will 

receive lifetime Secret Service protection. 

• Foreign heads of state and their spouses visiting the 

United States 

• Major presidential and vice presidential candidates 

and their spouses

• Events designated as National Special Security 

Events by the Secretary, U.S. Department of 

Homeland Security

Permanent protectees, such as the President and Vice 

President, have special agents permanently assigned 

to them. Temporary protectees, such as presidential 

and vice presidential candidates/nominees and 

foreign Heads of State, are staffed with special agents 

on temporary assignment from U.S. Secret Service 

field offices. Protection for the President and Vice 

President of the United States is mandatory. All other 

individuals entitled to Secret Service protection may 

decline security if they choose.

One of the many components that work together 

to carry out the protective mission is the U.S. 

Secret Service Uniformed Division. Officers of the 

Uniformed Division are responsible for the physical 

security of the White House Complex, the Vice 

President’s Residence, the Treasury Department, 

and foreign diplomatic missions in Washington, 

D.C. They provide additional assistance to the U.S. 

Secret Service’s protective mission through the 

following special support programs: the Canine Unit; 

Magnetometer Unit; Emergency Response Team; 

Countersniper Team; Motorcade Support Unit; and 

Bicycle Patrol.
Investigative Mission

Since its inception in 1865, the U.S. Secret Service’s 

investigative responsibilities have greatly expanded. 

In addition to the Secret Service’s jurisdiction in 

investigating counterfeit currency, its investigative 

authority includes financial institution fraud, access 

device fraud, computer crimes, credit card fraud, 

fraudulent government and commercial securities, 

fictitious financial instruments, telecommunications 

fraud, false identification and identity theft. The 

Secret Service is authorized to seize and forfeit assets 

identified as the proceeds of these financial crimes 

and associated money laundering activities.

The U.S. Secret Service has a pivotal role in securing 

the nation’s critical infrastructures, specifically 

in the areas of telecommunications, banking and 

finance. Other directives address the need to combat 

international organized crime that targets the citizens 

and financial institutions of the United States.

In response to the globalization of technology-based 

threats, the U.S. Secret Service’s investigative mission 

abroad is growing as well, creating the need for a 

heightened overseas liaison presence and employees 

with foreign language skills.

The U.S. Secret Service 

in the 21st Century

The U.S. Secret Service has grown from a small 

bureau staffed by a few operatives in 1865, to a 

law enforcement organization of nearly 7 ,000 

employees worldwide. Today, the U.S. Secret Service 

fights crime on a global scale through its field offices 

located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South 

America, Europe, Africa and Asia. The agency works 

closely with local, state and federal law enforcement 

organizations. These entities are valued partners 

of the Secret Service, and they are integral to the 

agency’s investigative and protective endeavors. 

U.S. Secret Service employees contribute a wealth 

of experience and expertise towards accomplishing 

the agency’s mission. In addition to law enforcement 

personnel, specialists and technicians in various 

fields including security; computer programming; 

communications; administration; intelligence; and 

forensics contribute their skills to fulfill the agency’s 

dual mission. 
For further information about career opportunities 

with the U.S. Secret Service, please call the 

U.S. Secret Service Employment Line at 

1-888-813-USSS (8777) or TTY 202-406-5390 or 

visit www.secretservice.gov/join.

Revised, May 2010

The U.S. Secret Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.