Supreme Court Police

Supreme Court Police
Agencyname	Supreme Court Police
Formed	1949
Employees	~150
Country	United States
Legaljuris	Federal
Governingbody	Supreme Court of the United States
Chief1name	Col. Gail A. Curley
Chief1position	Marshal of the Supreme Court
Parentagency	Judicial Branch of the United States
Officetype	Division
Officename	Supreme Court Police
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Website	https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/marshal.aspx

Supreme Court Police. The Supreme Court Police is a federal law enforcement agency established to provide comprehensive security for the Supreme Court of the United States, its justices, employees, visitors, and physical facilities. Operating under the authority of the Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States, the force is an integral component of the Judicial Branch of the United States. Its mission encompasses protective services, law enforcement, and emergency response within its designated jurisdiction in Washington, D.C. and beyond.

History

The agency was formally established by Congress in 1949, following increasing security concerns for the Supreme Court of the United States and its members. Prior to this, security was a more informal responsibility handled by the Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States and a small staff. The move to create a dedicated police force mirrored the growth of other federal protective agencies like the United States Capitol Police and the United States Secret Service. A significant early test of its protective mission came during the social unrest of the Vietnam War era and the Civil Rights Movement, which saw numerous protests at the Supreme Court Building. The force's role and capabilities have been periodically reassessed and expanded following major national security events, such as the September 11 attacks and the 2021 United States Capitol attack.

Organization and structure

The Supreme Court Police is commanded by the Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States, a position currently held by Col. Gail A. Curley, who is appointed by the Supreme Court of the United States. The agency is organized into several operational divisions, including a Protective Services Division responsible for the security of the justices, a Patrol Division for the Supreme Court Building and grounds, and a Criminal Investigations Division. It operates in close coordination with other federal security and intelligence agencies, such as the United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Capitol Police, particularly for joint security operations and intelligence sharing.

Duties and responsibilities

Primary duties include providing 24-hour security for the Supreme Court Building, its annexes, and surrounding grounds. A critical function is the protective detail for the Chief Justice of the United States and each Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, their families, and official residences. Officers screen thousands of visitors annually, manage public access, and ensure order during court sessions and public demonstrations. Additional responsibilities involve conducting criminal investigations, coordinating emergency preparedness, and providing courtroom security during all oral arguments and special sessions of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Jurisdiction and authority

While primarily focused on the Supreme Court Building and its properties in Washington, D.C., officers possess federal law enforcement authority under Title 40, U.S. Code, Section 6121. This statutory authority grants them full police powers to enforce federal and local laws, make arrests, and carry firearms anywhere within the United States and its territories, particularly when engaged in their official protective duties. Their jurisdiction extends to protecting justices and court officers wherever they travel, both domestically and internationally, in coordination with agencies like the United States Department of State and local law enforcement.

Training and equipment

New recruits undergo rigorous training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, followed by specialized instruction in judicial security, protective operations, and legal procedures. Officers are equipped with standard law enforcement sidearms, less-lethal options, protective gear, and advanced communications technology. The agency utilizes modern surveillance and access control systems to secure the Supreme Court Building, and its personnel receive ongoing training in threat assessment, emergency medicine, and counterterrorism tactics, often in conjunction with the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Notable incidents and operations

The force has managed numerous high-profile security events, including large-scale protests surrounding landmark cases like Roe v. Wade, Bush v. Gore, and Obergefell v. Hodges. A tragic incident occurred in 1982 when a lone gunman, influenced by the Iran hostage crisis, held several court employees hostage before being subdued. Security protocols were heavily reinforced following the 1998 United States Capitol shooting and the September 11 attacks. More recently, the agency was centrally involved in the unprecedented security response to the leak of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization draft opinion in 2022, erecting a protective fence around the Supreme Court Building amid large protests.

Category:Law enforcement agencies of the United States Category:Supreme Court of the United States Category:Federal law enforcement agencies of the United States