The Secret Service and the FBI are two closely related government agencies that play crucial roles in protecting national security. Though some may think they perform the same tasks, they both handle unique responsibilities and have many different roles in the overall security of United States. Knowing what’s the difference between the FBI and the Secret Service is important when considering law enforcement careers.
TheUnited States Secret Service(USSSorSecret Service) is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security charged with conducting criminal investigations and protecting U.S. political leaders, their families, visiting heads of state or government and foreign missions in United States.
The Secret Service is mandated by Congress with two distinct and critical national security missions: protecting the nation’s leaders and safeguarding the financial and critical infrastructure of the United States such as such as the White House, the treasury building, Congress, House of representatives and other presidential residences.
Department heads of secret service may also coordinate with local law enforcement agencies to protect against potential threats and ensure proper security at events or when political leaders travel.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Professionals in this department work under the U.S. Department of Justice.
The FBI enforces federal law, and investigates a variety of criminal activity including terrorism, cybercrime, Intellectual property theft, white collar crimes, public corruption, civil rights violations, and other major crimes. In other words, FBI is simply an elite law enforcement agency. Their job is to handle civilians crimes that are out of the hands of normal law enforcement.
The FBI employs scientists, technology experts, linguists, attorneys and financial professionals, as well as special agents, to lend to the quality of intelligence gathered and utilized. FBI agents train at the FBI Academy for around 20 weeks. They take courses on standard protocol, casework and firearm training. More importantly, FBI special agents are also law enforcement officers with national-scale arresting powers.
Key Difference: FBI and Secrete Service
- The primary mission of the Secret Service is to protect national leaders, including the President, Vice President, and their families, as well as visiting foreign dignitaries.
- The primary mission of the FBI is to investigate and enforce federal laws, combat terrorism, counterintelligence, cybercrime, public corruption, organized crime, civil rights violations, and other threats to national security and public safety.
- The Secret Service presence is more on locations where protective missions or financial crimes are prevalent. The FBI has field offices in major cities across the country and maintains a larger geographic presence to address a wide range of criminal and security issues.
Key Takeaways
- The Secret Service and the FBI are two closely related government agencies that play crucial roles in protecting national security.
- FBI is simply an elite law enforcement agency. Their job is to handle civilians and crimes that are out of the hands of normal law enforcement.
- The FBI investigates based on intelligence and national security interests, while Secret Service investigations deal mostly with financial crimes like fraud.
- FBI special agents serve to protect the national public, while the Secret Service focuses its protective mission on dignitaries, diplomats and politicians.
- FBI special agents train at the FBI Academy, while Secret Service special agents train at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
- FBI agents train at the FBI Academy for around 20 weeks. They take courses on standard protocol, casework and firearm training. Secret Service training lasts around 14 weeks at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for aspects of the job, like fitness and firearm training.
- The FBI employs scientists, technology experts, linguists, attorneys and financial professionals, as well as special agents, to lend to the quality of intelligence gathered and utilized.
- FBI special agents are also law enforcement officers with national-scale arresting powers.