Regional Security Office
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) oversees all security related matters of the Department of State, to include criminal investigations, VIP protection, and security at U.S. Government facilities within the United States as well as all U.S. missions, embassies, and consular posts abroad.
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is a unique organization that plays an essential role within the U.S. Department of State.
The Bureau's personnel - who include special agents, engineers, technicians, diplomatic couriers, Civil Service specialists, and contractors, work together as a team to ensure that the State Department can carry out its foreign policy missions safely and securely.Diplomatic Security (DS) has a broad scope of global responsibilities, with protection of people, information, and property as its top priority. In the United States, the Bureau protects the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and foreign dignitaries below the head-of-state level who visit the United States. DS develops and implements security programs to protect the more than 90 domestic State Department facilities as well as the residence of the Secretary of State.
Overseas, DS develops and implements effective security programs to safeguard all personnel who work in every U.S. diplomatic mission around the world. DS investigates passport and visa fraud, conducts personnel security investigations, and issues security clearances. The Bureau also assists foreign embassies and consulates in the United States with the security for their missions and personnel. In addition, DS administers the Rewards for Justice Program. It is one of the U.S. government's most valuable assets in the war against terrorism.
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the parent organization of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is the federal law enforcement arm of the United States Department of State and is the primary mechanism by which DS accomplishes its law enforcement (criminal investigative) and security missions worldwide. Both terms, DSS or DS, are used interchangeably within the State Department and other agencies to refer to the DSS. The DSS is structured as a federal law enforcement agency, primarily made up of U.S. Federal Agents mandated to serve domestically and overseas. The majority of its Special Agents are members of the Foreign Service and federal law enforcement agents at the same time, making them unique.The DSS is the most widely represented U.S. law enforcement agency worldwide with representation in nearly every country in the world.
Overseas, DSS Special Agents are called Regional Security Officers (RSOs), and are charged with the security and law enforcement duties at U.S. missions, embassies, and consular posts. The Regional Security Office is responsible for managing and coordinating all Department of State security programs and initiatives at USG facilities abroad, and the Regional Security Officer serves as the senior security/law enforcement advisor to the U.S. Ambassador at each mission.