New code of conduct issued for Secret Service agents

(CBS News) The U.S. Secret Service is laying down the law with tough new standards of conduct for its employees.

Today deputy director AT Smith e-mailed a memo to all employees reminding them of the five core values of the Secret Service and instituting strict new rules for conduct in reaction to the Secret Service scandal in Cartagena, Colombia.

The memo directs employees to "always conduct yourselves in a manner that reflects credit on you, the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and - most importantly - the United States Government and the citizens that we serve."

Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan

/ CBS

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The new enhanced standards of conduct "effective immediately", include mandatory ethics training in a classroom setting for Secret Service employees, a ban patronization of "non-reputable establishments" like strip clubs, and a requirement that no foreign nationals enter a hotel room.

In terms of alcohol, it may only be consumed in moderate amounts while off duty on-assignment and a new 10-hour sobriety rule will be instated. Previously employees were not able to drink 6 hours before a shift started.

Two GS-15 level senior supervisors will also chaperone all support teams who travel in advance of the president in "car planes" that carry the president's vehicles and communications equipment.

The new standards have been added to the official USSS guidebook. The enhanced standards were sent today to all agents and uniform personnel.

The guidelines include:

The guidelines come after a scandal involving President Obama's recent trip to Colombia. Of the 12 Secret Service agents probed in connection with the scandal, six have resigned. One was allowed to retire; one has been fired but can still appeal. Another has had his security clearance revoked but could appeal the revocation and would lose his job should that appeal be denied. And three have been cleared of serious wrongdoing. Another 12 military members from four branches of services are also being investigated in connection with the prostitution incident.

The Secret Service is also looking into reports that Secret Service agents were involved with strippers during President Obama's March 2011 visit to El Salvador. That incident was first reported by CBS Affiliate KIRO-Seattle.

[talkin2u924]

My government has to teach adult employees the same stuff as I teach my children. Say please and thank you. Dont talk to strangers, dont wonder off and do what your supposed to do when in public and dont...DONT embarrass "mommy and daddy". REALLY? This is what this is tantamount to being.

[kainos2]

Why is all of the discussion focused ONLY on the security issue this incident created - as important as that is. This is also a serious breach of professionalism, and it demonstrates a work environment that is openly hostile to women. This sort of behavior shouldn't be tolerated by ANY employer while employees are a business trip representing a company. It doesn't matter whether we're talking about Taco Bell employees or the highest governmental office. I would hate to imagine how a female secret service employee would be treated on one of these trips.

[Sammy428]

More than likely the females on the trip were actually back at the hotel cavorting with White House staff! They would never lower themselves to selling themselves to common agents when they can shoot the moon with White House Staff!

Show me one workplace where women are any better or any worse than men when it comes to interpersonal play...

[MIO42]

New Code

Whose on first
What's on Second
Whose Guarding Who

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
a code is a law, threfore mandatory, the question that arises,
are there control means to follow application of this code ?
"au revoir"

[cbarrymore]

GREAT! But you shouldn't have to even tell these IDIOTS this. They should KNOW BETTER, embarrassing the United States in this way!

[Lerianis4]

Embarrassing us? No, I personally feel that what is EMBARRASSING is that some people had a problem with people using prostitutes in a country where it is LEGAL to do so.

I'm more embarrassed by the media making a bigger deal out of this than it had to be, to be blunt.

[brsinai]

I think this is indicative of an administration where standards have dropped to the level typical of some of the other governmental organizations under BHO. Then again, I'm sure working for BHO requires a certain amount of stress relief.

[varigdc10]

Alcohol in "moderate" amounts. What is moderate, its the the same for everybody and who is going to check, a babysitter ? To me a moderate amount is a 6 pack of Bud Light in a day.

[Lerianis4]

Agreed on that. I personally cannot hold my liquor worth nothing, one little wine cooler and I'm soused (according to the breathalyzer test my police cousin gave me).

[nancy_naive]

Trust me, when all is said and done, the ONLY lesson learned in this will be "Pay Your Postitutes".

[Lerianis4]

That is actually the only lesson here. Actually, I'm not even sure that is the lesson because these women might have BEEN paid and were just making a fuss to try to get paid twice.

[jd2408]

Another government agency that needs a babysitter. Very sad.

[Lerianis4]

No, another 'bunch of ado for nothing' from the press, to be blunt and final on the matter.

This is just a bunch of religious jackwads getting their panties in a bunch because some other people aren't adhering to their personal morality.

I see the Secret Service people just getting hotel rooms that they pay for on their own in the future and having their 'rendezvous' on the down low.

[inmom63]

If you have to send a babysitter with these people to make sure they uphold moral standards...methinks you've hired the wrong people!!!

[Lerianis4]

When you try to force 'moral' standards that are just a bunch of religious bullhockey on people, you get things like this.

The fact is that the Secret Service, the military, etc. should butt out of what people do while off duty unless it is a crime in the country that they are currently in.

[Johny2012]

Its nonsense that these rules werent place before. Check this out:

******* . com/d5222a4