Secret Service agents in Wisconsin carry out both protective and investigative missions. In addition to protecting the president, his cabinet and his immediate family, Secret Service special agents also protect visiting heads of state. They also provide security for National Special Security Events that have been designated as such by the Department of Homeland Security.
The Secret Service uses advanced technologies to carry out its investigative missions, such as identifying counterfeiters and fighting fraud related to:
- Financial institutions
- Computer and telecommunications
- Advance fee
- Access device (skimming)
The agency provides assistance to an array of other agencies using its advanced forensic lab that can analyze audio, video, and questioned documents, among other types of evidence.
Requirements to Become a Secret Service Agent in Wisconsin
The Secret Service has two levels of employment available to new applicants: the G-7 and the G-9 level.
Basic Requirements – All prospective agents must meet the following requirements:
- Being a citizen of the U.S.
- Age requirement:
- 21 years of age at least
- 36 years at the most (Veterans may be exempt.)
- Excellent vision
- Correctable to 20/20
- At the worst, uncorrected vision of 20/60
Educational Requirements:
At the G-7 Level – Either a bachelor’s degree with evidence of distinction such as:
- All courses: GPA of 3.0
- Courses in their major: GPA of 3.5
- Belonging to a national honor society
- Ranking in the top 1/3 of the graduating class
Or one year of graduate school
At the G-9 Level – Having a graduate, J.D., or LL.B. degree
LEO Applicants – Experience relevant to future Secret Service duties can reduce the amount of education required to apply. This includes such things as conducting surveillance or performing criminal investigations among others.
Screening and Training Process for Secret Service Agents
Those being considered for Secret Service jobs in Wisconsin go through the following processes:
- Evaluation of physical fitness
- Written tests:
- Treasury Enforcement Agent exam
- Test for writing reports
- Interviews
- Background check
Recruits start their careers with two phases of training. They must pass both of these courses:
- Basic Criminal Investigator Training (10 weeks at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center)
- Special Agent Basic Training (17 weeks at the James J. Rowley Training Center)
Once trained, special agents must remain proficient at using firearms for the rest of their careers.
Secret Service Agents at Work in Wisconsin
Agents of the Secret Service in Wisconsin work out of one of two field offices: Madison or Milwaukee. They are tasked with protecting foreign dignitaries who visit the state.
In addition, they investigate financial crimes in the state. For example, one the agency’s most wanted fugitives in 2014 is a man who used over $350,000 of counterfeit checks in the Madison area.