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district field office in devising all of the projected security arrangements. These arrangements are never
exactly alike and depend on such factors as the identity and number of persons to be protected; the time,
location, and length of visits; and the itinerary and methods of transportation. Creation of security
perimeters, for example, is a vital element in security operations. This blanket security results from the
work of advance teams of Special Agents who thoroughly inspect the area and determine the manpower
and equipment needed to carry out the assignment. These security arrangements may include the use of
police patrols on the streets parallel to, adjacent to, or with access to the route to be taken, or the
deployment of helicopters for surveillance purposes. If the person being protected is traveling on or near
water routes, U.S. Coast Guard and police patrol craft are used. Special Agents assigned to advance-team
duty are also responsible for briefing and assigning personnel to duty posts and for selecting sites, such
as hospitals, evacuation routes, and relocation areas, to be used in emergency situations.
Special Agents assigned to protective duty receive essential support from the Intelligence Division of
the Secret Service. Intelligence Agents provide this support by collecting, evaluating, storing, and
distributing protective-security information to Agents responsible for protection activities. Agents
assigned to intelligence activities gather much of their information by developing and maintaining
contacts with state and local law enforcement agencies as well as with such federal agencies as the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Treasury Department, Department of State,
Department of Defense, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Service, and General Services
Administration. Some examples of information sought by Intelligence Agents from law enforcement
agencies and concerned citizens include facts about individuals who advocate the violent overthrow of
our government; persons or groups making direct threats against or displaying intent to harm anyone
under Secret Service protection; persons with a history of violent behavior, grudges, or strong grievances
against public officials; and activities of persons or groups who advocate interference with, harassment
of, or harm to public officials. However, the Secret Service does not seek information about individuals
or groups voicing legitimate criticism of or opposition to government policies or public officials. In
addition, Special Agents involved with intelligence gathering are responsible for overseeing electronic-
security operations and keeping current with new developments in security measures.
Prior to the arrival of the person under protection, the Secret Service conducts detailed briefings of all
staff involved with the assignment. The subject areas covered at these meetings include work locations
and areas of responsibility, protective-intelligence data, contingency plans, and the official identification
methods to be used by agency personnel during the assignment. Security operations during each
protective assignment are coordinated and controlled by Secret Service personnel in a central command
post. This post functions as a vantage point and communications center in which intelligence data and
orders are received and sent to Special Agents on protective details. Special Agents assigned to the
permanent Secret Service detail that protects the President have a difficult and complicated mission.
While charged with providing the Chief Executive with maximum protection, they have the impossible
task of guarding against all the perils that can develop, particularly when national or international travel
is involved. Presidents are often reluctant to follow any security measures that hinder their work activities
or limit their contact with the general public. Providing maximum security without affecting the
President's customary routine makes the work of these Special Agents a complex and challenging
assignment.
In addition to their protective responsibilities, Special Agents of the Secret Service have investigative
functions as well. They investigate all cases that involve counterfeiting of U.S. currency and securities
and forgery of U.S. government checks, bonds, and securities. In most instances, these are stolen items
that fail to reach the payees and are forged and cashed by the thieves. Each year, Special Agents seize and
arrest thousands of people engaging in such illegal activities.
Regardless of the type of case assigned, Special Agents, working alone or in teams, collect and evaluate
all the available data from other law enforcement agencies, informants, and the general public and plan
