Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) hosted law enforcement professionals from 19 states for an intensive Dignitary Protection Seminar, March 12 -16.
The 24 participants ran through "real world" exercises and participated in classroom work with U.S. Secret Service trainers, agents, and officers in order to strengthen partnerships, enhance working relationships, and promote information sharing.
"Dignitary Protection Seminars go beyond classroom lectures," USSS Assistant Director of the Office of Investigations Kenneth Jenkins said. "These seminars represent a valuable opportunity for us to build upon existing relationships with our partners. Whether coordinating a protective mission visit or investigating cyber-enabled financial criminal enterprises – our state and local law enforcement partnerships create the environment for success."
For more than two decades, the U.S. Secret Service has hosted Dignitary Protection Seminars in Washington, D.C., and at our training academy in Laurel, Maryland. The Secret Service has a long history of partnering with state and local law enforcement to accomplish mutual goals. In today’s increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment, partnerships in joint and combined operations enable law enforcement to combat emerging threats at a level not possible when working alone. Throughout the United States and abroad – the Secret Service is fostering these relationships to ensure the highest level of protection possible for those we are sworn to protect.
These relationships don’t end when the protective mission is over. The Secret Service’s investigative mission is supported by financial and electronic crimes taskforces throughout the United States. Through partnerships, we are leading the way to combat the increased prevalence of cyber-enabled financial crimes. This emerging role comes naturally as the Secret Service has been working to protect our nation’s financial infrastructure for more than 150 years. Whether protecting our nation’s leaders or dismantling criminal organizations intent on stealing hard earned money, we recognize that long-term success cannot be achieved alone.
Throughout the year, we will be doing just that – working together with our state and local partners in a collective effort to continually improve. We are proud to host our law enforcement partners. Despite geographical differences, we will join together under a common goal – to continually improve our collective abilities to fulfill our commitment to our communities and the nation. We will do it together – as Partners in Law Enforcement.
Law enforcement professionals - thank you for a great week and your continued partnership.