WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, January 12, 2004, Curtis B. Eldridge Jr. was sworn in as the 18th Chief of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division. A 23-year
veteran of the Secret Service, Eldridge succeeds Chief Richard Oskin, who retired from the Secret Service after 33 years.
“Curtis Eldridge has earned a reputation of the highest caliber among his colleagues,” said Secret Service Director W. Ralph Basham. “I believe his leadership skills and abilities will help chart the course of the Uniformed Division and I am honored to have Chief Eldridge serve as a member of my staff.”
Chief Eldridge began his Secret Service Career in 1981, working at both the Foreign Missions and White House Branches. In 1988, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant
and served as a member of the Chief’s staff. Three years later, he returned to the Foreign Missions Branch after being promoted to lieutenant.
As a lieutenant, Eldridge was also assigned as the Uniformed Division’s representative in the Secret Service’s Office of Government and Public Affairs. In 1995, he received a
promotion to captain and served as a watch commander at the Foreign Missions Branch.
Chief Eldridge continued to rise through the ranks of the Secret Service Uniformed Division, being promoted to inspector in 1999 and deputy chief in 2002. Later that year,
he was promoted to assistant chief and began serving as second in command of the Uniformed Division.
Chief Eldridge has received numerous performance awards and commendations throughout his career. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and is a member of
the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. He holds a degree in accounting from Benjamin Franklin
University in Washington, D.C.
The United States Secret Service Uniformed Division has one mission—protection. Created in 1922 and initially known as the White House Police, its function was to
protect the White House itself. This remains the primary mission of the Uniformed Division. However, its responsibilities have expanded greatly over the years.
Today, the Uniformed Division is responsible for protecting not only the White House Complex and Treasury Building, but also the Vice President’s Residence, all foreign
diplomatic missions and embassies in the Washington, D.C., area.