Diplomatic Security Service

U.S. Diplomatic Security Service
Abbreviation	DSS
Seal of the Diplomatic Security Service
DSS special agent badge
Motto	Protecting Americans Around the World
Agency overview
Formed	1916: Bureau of Secret Intelligence 1945: Office of Security (SY) 1985: Diplomatic Security Service
Legal personality	Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agency	United States
General nature	Federal law enforcement Civilian agency
Operational structure
Headquarters	Arlington, Virginia
Agents	2,000
Agency executive	Bill A. Miller, Director
Parent agency	U.S. Department of State
Field Offices	8
Resident Agencies	15
Facilities
Overseas Offices	285
Website
www.state.gov/m/ds
Footnotes
Visa fraud, passport fraud, protection of the Secretary of State, visiting foreign dignitaries, U.S. ambassadors overseas, and U.S. embassies and consulates

The U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS or DS) is the federal law enforcement and security arm of the United States Department of State. The DSS is the lead U.S. law enforcement organization abroad, and is the most widely represented law enforcement agency in the world. Its duties include protecting U.S. diplomatic missions, U.S. diplomats, and visiting foreign dignitaries; conducting criminal, counter-terrorism, and counterintelligence investigations abroad; advising U.S. ambassadors on security matters; and managing or implementing security programs worldwide.

The DSS most notably provides protection for US diplomatic missions, US diplomats, and visiting foreign dignitaries. The DSS also performs a myriad of other activities including international investigations, threat analysis, counterterrorism, security technology, cyber security, and protection of people, property, and information. DSS Special Agents are federal agents with the power to arrest, carry firearms, serve arrest warrants, and perform other law enforcement activities.

The majority of DSS Special Agents are jointly Foreign Service specialists and American federal law enforcement officers, making the DSS unique, as most other federal law enforcement agents are members of the Federal Civil Service. As such, because DSS Special Agents are members of the Foreign Service, unlike all other civilian federal law enforcement officers, DSS agents must serve multiple-year tours overseas as a condition of employment. When not at an overseas assignment, agents serve in field offices and HQ positions. A small percentage of DS special agents are members of the State Department's civil service (GS-1811), and are not mandated to serve tours overseas. These special agents focus on criminal work and dignitary protection within the United States.

When assigned to domestic field offices, DSS Special Agents investigate passport fraud and visa fraud, and protect visiting foreign dignitaries. DSS agents also investigate the activities of foreign intelligence agencies that are focused on the Department of State, assist in apprehending fugitives that have fled to the United States, and conduct background checks on State Department employees, applicants, and contractors.