Secret Service Director Clancy Leaving Agency

Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy announced his retirement Tuesday, two years after President Barack Obama appointed him to head up the agency.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

February 15, 2017

Secret Service Director Clancy Leaving Agency

Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy announced his retirement. (official photo)

Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy announced his retirement Tuesday, two years after President Barack Obama appointed him to right the then-troubled agency, reports USA Today .

"I am announcing I will retire from the Secret Service effective March 4,'' Clancy said in a message to staffers. "President Trump and his administration have been very supportive of this agency and of me personally which makes this a very difficult decision. My love for this Agency has only complicated the decision further, but for personal reasons it is time. I look forward to spending time with my family.''

Clancy, a career agent who headed the organization's Presidential Protection Division, was called out of retirement more than two years ago after the service was rocked by a series of high-profile incidents of misconduct and security breaches, including a fence-jumper armed with a knife who made it into the presidential residence before being tackled by agents.

In selecting Clancy, Obama defied the recommendation of a bipartisan White House security panel, which recommended that a new director come from outside the agency.

During his brief tenure, Clancy moved to stabilize the service while presiding over the most demanding period in the organization's history. Beginning in 2015, with Pope Francis' visit to the United States, through the raucous election season and culminating with last month's inauguration, the service has been challenged by an unrelenting workload.

The agency is now in the midst of an effort to add more than 1,000 agents and uniformed officers to the ranks by next fall.

Topics:Secret Service Federal agencies Training

More Training

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?

Patrol•by Wayne Parham•October 26, 2025

When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?

Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?

Sponsored•by David Reeder•October 22, 2025

Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?

The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.

Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations

Join us for an inside look at how agencies are enhancing frontline decision-making with visual intelligence that goes beyond the plate. This session will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses—on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.

Coffee Break With Police Experts thumnail for topic of Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover.

Sponsored•by Wayne Parham•October 3, 2025

Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover

In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.

Two police officers in tactical vests, demonstrating emerging law enforcement technology

Ebook: How Data-Driven Policing Strengthens Transparency and Public Trust

Whether your department is focused on improving transparency or rebuilding community confidence, this ebook offers real examples and practical strategies to help. Learn how data-driven insights and modern fleet technologies can strengthen accountability, support officer safety, and enhance public trust.

Police officer crouching behind vehicle, holding rifle in tactical stance

Vehicle Ops•by Wayne Parham•August 29, 2025

Police Magazine

Secret Service Director Clancy Leaving Agency

More Training

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?

Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?

Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations

Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover

Ebook: How Data-Driven Policing Strengthens Transparency and Public Trust

Using Patrol Vehicles for Cover

San Francisco Police Recruit Dies in Training

POLICE and Flock Safety Present Webinar on Combining LPR with Real-Time Video

Former NFL Player to Become Pennsylvania Police Officer