Secret service agents are federal law enforcers. They protect the President and investigate fraud and counterfeiting.
There are two departments of the Secret Service:
Special agents
Special agents focus on protective and investigative tasks. They protect the current and former Presidents and Vice Presidents, their families, visiting foreign heads of governments, and others as designated by law. Special agents investigate threats against the President or Vice President.
Special agents also investigate fraud, counterfeiting, computer crimes, false identity, identity theft, and telemarketing fraud.
Uniformed Division
The Uniformed Division is a specialized police force that protects the White House, the vice president's residence, and foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington DC area. Officers work on foot, bicycle, vehicular, and motorcycle patrols.
The Uniformed Division has units with specialized tasks:
- The Canine Unit
- Countersniper Team
- Emergency Response Unit
- Motorcade Support Team
- Crime Scene Search Unit