CHICAGO (WLS) — A year following the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump and a critical independent review of the agency, the Secret Service is actively seeking new recruits.
It is a grueling process that can take nearly a year. Very few end up getting an offer.
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It’s a blood pumping, heart racing, open book test, but only around 50% pass.
Each week, as many as 10 recruits from the Chicago area strive to achieve at least 20 points on the Applicant Physical Abilities Test, which includes timed push-ups, an agility run, sit-ups, and a mile-and-a-half run.
“We provide them with the scoring chart. We give them the test, so they are aware of what they’ll be assessed on and know the requirements in each section to pass,” stated Biljana Spasojevic, assistant to the special agent in charge.
She leads recruitment efforts for the Chicago Secret Service field office.
“So, we’re looking for exceptional individuals. That’s not most people,” said James Morley, deputy special agent in charge of the Chicago Secret Service.
On July 13, 2024, the assassination attempt of President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania rocked the agency, leading to a leadership shake-up, internal and external investigations and eventually reforms, including “creating a more efficient hiring process.”
As part of the new recruitment strategy, a $2 million ad aired during the Super Bowl.
“We’ve seen an uptick in applicants since that ad played,” Morley said.
According to the U.S. Secret Service, they received more than 30,500 law enforcement applications, from Jan. 20 through May 31. That’s a 250% increase over the same period last year.
“We’re not fully staffed. We need more,” Morley told the I-Team.
They’re offering signing bonuses ranging from $40 to $60,000 as an incentive.
“Any of those recruits that make it through the pipeline and get onto the Counter Assault Team receive a $60,000 bonus,” Special Agent Raymond Kingery said.
He served on the Counter Assault Team and helped train new recruits, many of whom are former military.
“The Counter Assault Team is is typically where your, you know, most highly trained and most dedicated agents find themselves among. They have to be able to run with any team anywhere, any time at a moment’s notice in order to support the protection of the president,” Kingery said.
Before the first fitness test, applicants apply online, pass an initial background check and take an exam.
“If you pass that, you will be invited for an interview that’s also a pass/fail. If you pass the interview, then we proceed on to the background, the medical and the polygraph,” Spasojevic told the I-Team.
“It’s in the low single digits, percentage wise, of the amount that apply, to who actually get offered a position,” Morley said.
The whole process takes six months to a year.
“This agency is the only agency that bears the responsibility to protect the president United States. And throughout history, we’ve operated in the shadows of some of the most pivotal moments of this country’s existence,” Kingery said.
“It’s a great agency. You’re part of history. You’re a witness to history,” Spasojevic said.
The Secret Service currently has more than 8,000 employees. Nearly half of them are special agents.
They tell the I-Team retirements and burnout after presidential campaigns lead to constant recruiting.
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