Examining the Effectiveness of Secret Service Training

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Do Special Agents Receive Effective Training to Protect the President of the United States?

Examining the Effectiveness of Secret Service Training

Abstract

United States Secret Service special agents are charged with the primary responsibility of protecting elected officials. Agents are the backbone of the Secret Service and receive more training than any other law enforcement agency in the United States. The training they receive is un-like any other training they have ever experienced. The Secret Service is the only agency that trains its agents to shield and physically cover the protectee with his/her own person. Scholars have raised several questions since the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. One such example is: does the Secret Service provide effective training to special agents? This study seeks to review Secret Service training, accomplishments, and mistakes in an effort to evaluate the effectiveness of special agent training.

Introduction

Since 1901, the Secret Service has been providing protection to the President of the United States, (Youngblood, 1973). Secret Service special agents are the backbone of the agency; they receive more training than any other law enforcement agency in the United States. Special agents conduct all investigations relating to counterfeiting and fraud as well as provide protection to elected officials. The mission of the Secret Service may seem straight forward, but it is actually challenging and complex. Through historical records, behind-the-scenes perspectives, and first-hand accounts, this study exposes the evidence that illustrates the effectiveness of Secret Service training.

Application Process

Special agent training begins with the applica...

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