Matt Soper meets head of US Secret Service

Matt Soper, a resident of Orchard City and former trustee, had the opportunity on Friday, February 15, 2013 to have lunch with US Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan during his visit to the University of New Hampshire’s School of Law. Director Sullivan has announced his intentions to retire, after 30 years with the agency, on February 22, 2013.

The outgoing Secret Service director said he was pleased with the work he had achieved since being appointed to director in 2006.

Mr. Soper said, “I asked Director Sullivan about Colorado Senate Bill 13-013, which is being sponsored by local State Senator Steve King.”

Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan (on right) & Matt Soper

Colorado State Senator King’s proposed legislation will give Secret Service agents limited peace officer authority in the State of Colorado. The premise for this bill stems from Colorado’s increased position in presidential politics and gives the Secret Service the ability to detain or arrest suspects, under Colorado law, who threaten individuals whom the Secret Service is charged with protecting.

Problems have arisen where jurisdictional issues have resulted in questions sufficient cause under federal law and possible usurping state authority. One such issue, resolved last summer before the US Supreme Court, concerned a Summit County resident who confronted then-Vice President Dick Cheney about the War in Iraq. The Secret Service felt the suspect’s sudden aggressive movement warrant detaining the individual. The individual sued, claiming his First Amendment right to political speech had been infringe and that the agents did not have authority in Colorado to detain him. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Secret Service and the agents, holding that the agents have immunity.

State Senator King hopes to resolve the conflict in jurisdictional issues by granting the Secret Service limited peace officer status while they are within the State of Colorado. Secret Service Director Sullivan indicated he supported measures designed to enhance cooperation.

Mr. Soper and Director Sullivan also talked about how the Secret Service is charged with more than protecting the President and Vice President and their families. Around 1,000 agents are assigned to the presidential detail, but this pales in comparison to the number of agents who are cracking down on counterfeiting and international criminal attempts to disrupt America’s monetary system.

The US Secret Service began in 1865, after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Originally the agency fell under the auspices of the Treasury Department was tasked with protecting the president and stopping counterfeiters. Today the Secret Service is under the Department of Homeland Security and protects high level public official both domestically and abroad. The agency continues to suppress counterfeiting and electronic fraud, and cybercrime affecting the monetary supply.