(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – United States Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan has
announced the appointment of Kevin S. Simpson to the position of Chief of the U.S.
Secret Service Uniformed Division effective December 5, 2010. Chief Simpson will
serve as the 19th Chief of the Uniformed Division, which was originally established in
1922 as the White House Police.
“As a native of the national capital region, Chief Simpson understands and appreciates
the challenges the Uniformed Division faces daily in securing high-profile facilities such
as the White House, the Vice President’s Residence and foreign diplomatic missions,”
Director Sullivan said. “I welcome Kevin’s perspective and experience within the Secret
Service and look forward to working more directly with him.”
Chief Simpson began his Secret Service career in 1988 as an officer assigned to the
White House Branch. In 1992, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant at the White
House. Three years later, he was promoted to lieutenant, and was subsequently assigned
to Secret Service headquarters in the Office of Protective Operations (OPO). While
assigned to OPO, Chief Simpson served as a liaison to the specialty units within the
Uniformed Division, including the counter sniper, canine and magnetometer operations
units. He also served as the Uniformed Division’s co-coordinator for the 1996
Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In March 1997, Chief Simpson was
reassigned to the Foreign Missions Branch, which is responsible for working with the
Washington, D.C., diplomatic community.
Chief Simpson was promoted to captain in June 1997, serving both as a watch commander
and later in the Office of the Deputy Chief. He also served as the Uniformed Division’s
coordinator for the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. In January 2002,
he was promoted to the rank of inspector and reassigned to the White House Branch. In
January 2004, Chief Simpson was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief and assumed the
position of branch commander of the White House Branch. He held that position until
January 2007 when he was selected as the branch commander for the Naval Observatory
Branch.
Chief Simpson is a 22-year veteran of the Secret Service. He 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.
Throughout its history, the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division has grown both in
size and scope of responsibility. Today, the Uniformed Division is mandated by law to
provide physical security for the White House Complex, the Vice President’s Residence
and the Naval Observatory. It also provides security for the Treasury Department and
foreign diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C. Its mission – to protect facilities and
venues secured for Secret Service protectees – is accomplished through a network of
fixed posts, vehicular and foot patrols and specialized support programs.
Born in Washington, D.C, Chief Simpson grew up in Maryland and now resides with his
family in Fairfax, Virginia.