Diplomatic Security Service

Diplomatic Security Service. It is the federal law enforcement and security bureau of the United States Department of State. The service is responsible for protecting U.S. diplomatic missions, personnel, and information worldwide, operating under the authority of the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security. Its mandate combines criminal investigations with comprehensive security programs to safeguard American diplomacy.

History

The origins trace to 1916 with the creation of the Office of the Chief Special Agent, following investigations into passport fraud. Its role expanded significantly after the Iran hostage crisis and the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, which led to the seminal Inman Report. This review prompted the passage of the Diplomatic Security Act in 1986, formally establishing it as a distinct entity. Key historical figures in its development include Ambassador Robert S. Barrett and Secretary of State George P. Shultz. The service's evolution was further shaped by the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa and the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Organization and structure

The service is led by the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security, who also serves as the Director of the Diplomatic Security Service. It is divided into several major directorates, including the DS Criminal Investigations and the High Threat Programs directorate. Field operations are managed through a global network of Regional Security Offices located within U.S. embassies and consulates, such as those in Baghdad, Kabul, and Islamabad. Key domestic offices include the New York Field Office and the Washington Field Office, which work alongside partner agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Responsibilities and functions

Primary responsibilities include conducting personnel security investigations for the Department of State and protecting the Secretary of State and visiting foreign dignitaries. The service manages the Marine Security Guard program at embassies and leads major criminal investigations into passport and visa fraud, often in joint task forces with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A critical function is conducting security assessments for overseas facilities, a duty underscored by the findings of the Benghazi attack review. It also administers the Rewards for Justice program.

Training and personnel

Special Agents undergo rigorous training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers in Glynco, Georgia, followed by specialized instruction at the Diplomatic Security Service Training Center near Quantico, Virginia. The service employs over 2,000 special agents, security engineering officers, and diplomatic couriers. Personnel are regularly assigned to high-threat posts like Baghdad or Sana'a. Career progression can lead to roles such as Regional Security Officer or leadership within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Major incidents and operations

The service has been central to the response to numerous international crises. Major protective operations include security for the Madrid Conference and the Oslo Accords negotiations. It led the investigation into the 1998 bombings of the embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which involved collaboration with the FBI New York Field Office. The 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi resulted in significant reforms to security protocols. Other notable cases include the manhunt for Carlos the Jackal and protecting witnesses in the Pan Am Flight 103 investigation.

International cooperation

Global security is achieved through extensive partnerships with foreign law enforcement and intelligence agencies, such as MI5, the Australian Federal Police, and Interpol. The service participates in international working groups under the United Nations Security Council and trains foreign security personnel through programs like the Antiterrorism Assistance Program. It works closely with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on diplomatic security standards and collaborates with host nations, including the Iraqi Police and Afghan National Police, to protect American facilities.