Secret Service Hires More Personnel to Implement Agency Reforms

The US Secret Service’s backlog of hired agents who are yet to be fully vetted underscores its efforts to transform amid recent security lapses, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a briefing on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier on Wednesday, US media reported the Secret Service posted up to 60 agents to the White House and other sensitive security positions prior to finishing their background checks.

“The backlog now is less than a dozen. It reflects the effort that the Secret Service has undertaken to hire more police officers and agents to implement the reforms that Director [Joseph] Clancy has pursued.”

Secret Service officials said they will complete the background checks of posted officers by the end of the week, according to media reports.

The Secret Service has recently come under scrutiny after a string of high-profile security lapses, which included allowing a person with a weapon and criminal history board an elevator with President Barack Obama.

In a different incident, Secret Service supervisors Marc Connolly and George Ogilvie drove into the White House grounds under the influence of alcohol.

The incidents led to former Secret Service Director Julia Pierson's resignation in October 2014 and to the dismissal of several agency executives in January 2015.

In March 2015, the Secret Service established a Chief Operating Officer position in order to promote operational excellence and rebuild public trust.