<P> As a non-lethal option, Special Agents, Special Officers, and Uniformed Division Officers are armed with the ASP expandable baton, and Uniformed Division officers also carry pepper spray . </P> <P> Special Operations Division (SOD) units are authorized to use a variety of non-standard weapons . The Counter Assault Team (CAT) and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) both use the 5.56 mm Knight's Armament Company SR - 16 CQB assault rifle in an 11.5" configuration . CAT also deploys 12 gauge Remington 870 MCS breaching shotguns . Uniform Division technicians assigned to the Counter Sniper (CS) team use custom built . 300 Winchester Magnum - chambered bolt - action rifles referred to as JARs ("Just Another Rifle"). These rifles are built with Remington 700 long actions in Accuracy International stocks and use Schmidt & Bender optics . CS technicians also use the 7.62 mm KAC SR - 25 / Mk11 Mod 0 semi-automatic sniper rifle with a Trijicon 5.5 × ACOG optic . </P> <P> The agency uses Motorola XTS and APX radios and surveillance kits in order to maintain communications . These radios are known to use DES encryption keys . When operationally required, members of the Special Operations Division use military grade radios that use Type 1 encryption algorithms . </P> <P> When transporting the President in a motorcade, the Secret Service uses a fleet of custom - built armored Cadillac Parade Limousines, the newest and largest version of which is known as "The Beast". Armored Chevrolet Suburbans are also used when logistics require such a vehicle or when a more low profile appearance is required . For official movement the limousine is affixed with U.S. and presidential flags and the presidential seal on the rear doors . For unofficial events the vehicles are left sterile and unadorned . </P>

What are the duties of a secret service agent