Legal Definitions - Diplomatic Security Service

The Diplomatic Security Service is a specialized law enforcement and security agency that operates under the U.S. Department of State. Its core responsibilities are twofold:

• Protecting U.S. diplomatic interests and personnel: This includes safeguarding high-ranking U.S. government officials, such as the Secretary of State, as well as visiting foreign dignitaries. It also involves ensuring the security of U.S. embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions around the world.
• Investigating serious criminal activities: The Service investigates crimes that pose a threat to national security or the integrity of U.S. travel documents. This includes complex cases of passport and visa fraud, terrorism-related threats, and other criminal acts targeting U.S. diplomatic operations or personnel, both domestically and internationally.

Special agents of the Diplomatic Security Service are deployed globally, working to uphold the safety and security of U.S. diplomatic efforts and personnel wherever they serve.

Here are some examples of the Diplomatic Security Service in action:

• Example 1: Protecting a Visiting Head of State

  When a foreign head of state from a key allied nation visits Washington D.C. for high-level diplomatic discussions, the Diplomatic Security Service would be responsible for their comprehensive security. This includes providing a dedicated protective detail, securing their transportation routes, and coordinating with local law enforcement and other federal agencies to ensure their safety throughout their stay.

  This illustrates the DSS's role in fulfilling its mandate to protect foreign dignitaries while they are on U.S. soil, ensuring their security during sensitive diplomatic engagements.

• Example 2: Investigating Threats to an Embassy

  If a U.S. embassy in a foreign country receives credible intelligence about a potential terrorist plot targeting its facility or personnel, the Diplomatic Security Service special agents assigned to that embassy would immediately launch an investigation. They would work closely with host nation security forces and U.S. intelligence agencies to identify the perpetrators, assess the threat, and implement enhanced security measures to protect the embassy building and its staff.

  This demonstrates the DSS's investigative capabilities in addressing serious criminal threats, such as terrorism, against U.S. diplomatic missions and personnel abroad, extending beyond just document fraud.

• Example 3: Securing a Major International Conference

  When the U.S. Department of State hosts a large international summit in a major American city, bringing together numerous foreign ministers and their delegations, the Diplomatic Security Service takes the lead in overall security planning and execution. This involves securing multiple venues, managing access control for thousands of attendees, providing protective services for various dignitaries, and orchestrating a complex security operation involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

  This example highlights the DSS's broad responsibility for ensuring the security of significant diplomatic events, showcasing its expertise in large-scale protective operations and inter-agency coordination to safeguard U.S. diplomatic efforts.