| The Secret Service was formed around 1865 as | | | | political dignitaries and other persons that the |
| a part of the United States Treasury | | | | president may determine require their protection. |
| Department, where it helped fight counterfeiting. | | | | Persons applying to be Agents must be between |
| The first director was William P. Wood who | | | | 21 and 37 years old, must have a four year |
| remained with the Service for about four years. | | | | bachelors degree in any program related to |
| Things changed in 1901with the assassination of | | | | criminal justice from a recognized college or |
| President William McKinley after which the Secret | | | | university. There are many accredited online |
| Service began to protect the president. | | | | universities that are offer online degrees in criminal |
| SS Agents are still hired by the United States | | | | justice which may help those who cannot, for |
| government and their primary function is to | | | | whatever reason, attend a brick and mortar |
| uphold the laws land, control crime rates and work | | | | university. Candidates will also have to pass drug |
| with other criminal justice departments to solve | | | | tests, medical exams and a report writing test |
| crimes and close cases. However, their two most | | | | followed by an entrance exam and an interview |
| important functions are Protection and | | | | to ascertain the candidate's potential for becoming |
| Investigation. United States Secret Service | | | | a Secret Service Agent. Family background is |
| Agents are guaranteed certain rights and | | | | important as is a criminal free record, both of |
| privileges which are outlined in the United States | | | | which will be important to obtain top secret |
| Code in Title 18, Section 3056.The code states | | | | clearance to proceed. |
| that any officer or agent may carry a firearm | | | | New Secret Service trainees are sent to the |
| and make arrests without a warrant for any | | | | Federal Law Enforcement Training Center where |
| crime committed in their presence. Also if they | | | | their ten-week Criminal Investigator Training |
| have reason to believe that a crime has been | | | | begins with subjects like investigative techniques |
| committed they may investigate fraudulent ID | | | | and criminal law which provide the foundation for |
| documents, execute warrants, and offer rewards | | | | more training programs specific to the Service. |
| for information. | | | | Trainees will then go to the training academy |
| A primary responsibility for Secret Service | | | | where they must pass a seventeen-week Special |
| Agents in this modern age is the safety of the | | | | Agent Training Course specific to Secret Service |
| president, vice-president and various other | | | | procedures and policies. |
| important government and political figures. They | | | | Once training is completed, there are a wide |
| are also charged with the safety of past | | | | variety of Secret Service jobs available to those |
| presidents for ten years following their service in | | | | seeking them. |
| office and additionally with the safety of visiting | | | | |