Candidates and the national press aren’t the only ones going non-stop during a presidential election year.
“From July through now, my schedule has been pretty much non-stop travel,” said Tiffany Loar, a special agent with the United States Secret Service. “Sometimes I don’t know the day of the week; sometimes I don’t know the city I’m in. But it’s very rewarding and something a lot of people don’t get to do.”
Loar, who joined the Secret Service in 2017, recently spoke to an Introduction to Criminal Justice class at Garrett College. She described herself as “a jack-of-all-trades” with the Secret Service – which, while known for its high-profile protection function, is also charged with investigating crimes against the U.S. financial system and protecting the integrity of the U.S. currency.
“I do a lot of work in computer forensic and mobile forensic investigations, but I’m primarily tasked with cryptocurrency investigations,” said Loar, who has a master’s degree in forensic accounting and teaches at international law enforcement seminars on crypto currency topics.
Loar – whose sister, Dr. Michele Buday-Murray, is the Garrett College faculty member who teaches GC’s criminal justice courses – told the students that prospective special agents aren’t required to have a college degree in a particular major.
“The Secret Service has such a wide range of activities that they don’t look for specific academic majors,” said Loar. “They take everything [on a candidate’s resume] into account because they’re looking for more diverse backgrounds.”
Once selected, prospective Secret Service special agents receive 30 weeks of formal training.
“There is a 12-week training course in Glynco, Georgia for 1811s,” said Loar, referring to the number assigned to investigators from federal agencies that include the Secret Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. “After that, the Secret Service conducts a specialized, 18-week ‘add-on’ training completed at its Maryland facility.”
Loar said one of her favorite aspects of her job is the ability to conduct crypto currency investigations.
“Crypto currency touches everything,” said Loar. “My job includes trying to track funds, and trying to get funds recovered for victims. It’s a feel-good moment when you’re able to get money back for victims of crypto crimes.”
Loar has also drawn her share of protection assignments.
“I’ve been tasked to protection assignments involving the president, the vice president, and foreign dignitaries,” said Loar, noting those responsibilities often include “advance work” at sites of upcoming visits by those who receive Secret Service protection.
“I don’t think the average member of the public understands how many moving parts there are, and how many resources it takes any time a protectee goes somewhere,” said Loar. “You have to stake out sites and make sure the appropriate mitigation strategies are in place. There are a lot more assets involved than most people realize.”
While movies depicting Secret Service agents show action-packed assignments, Loar said the reality can sometimes be quite different.
“Sometimes the days can seem really long – you can be standing in a stairwell for 12 hours,” she said. “Sometimes it can be really fun. And sometimes it involves some really challenging moments.
“You have to have a lot of patience and be able to push yourself beyond average limits, whether physically or mentally,” Loar added.
One of the benefits of Loar’s job is the associated travel.
“You definitely get to go to places you would never imagine you’d see,” said Loar, who said visiting Switzerland while working the World Economic Summit was just one memorable assignment. “I’m a firm believer that you should go to any place at least once. I try to volunteer every year for assignments in two foreign countries I’ve never visited.”
Loar said agents have some free time to explore their surroundings.
“You get time to acclimate on the ground – a day or two on the front end so you are fit for duty,” she explained. “They want agents who are rested and prepared to perform their duties.”
Loar said seeing people interact with presidents and other dignitaries is a perk of the job.
“It’s very rewarding,” she said. “Sometimes after an event finishes up, you see people who are so happy to be there. They will have the memory of this day forever. Just to know you were a part of that leaves you with a smile on your face.”
