Protecting the Diplomatic CommunityReleased by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security
Within the Department of State, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Diplomatic Security Service has the primary responsibility to ensure that protection is extended to all foreign officials and their missions across the United States. The Protective Liaison Division provides this protection and related services. Special agents in Washington and 22 other cities throughout the United States are available at any time to provide liaison services and security assistance to all foreign officials residing in the United States. As we have learned through tragic experience, terrorism can strike any target, at any time. It is more urgent than ever that we operate in an atmosphere of mutual understanding to actively defend against international terrorism. By establishing and maintaining open lines of communication, we can work together to provide a secure environment for the daily conduct of official business.
Liaison with Diplomatic Security In an age of increased security awareness within our society, the means to immediately communicate importance, security-related information to appropriate individuals in the host government is of vital important to every diplomatic mission operating abroad. In this regard, the Protective Liaison Division maintains the names and contact numbers of at least two foreign mission employees who are designed as security liaison representatives. As personnel changes occur, foreign missions are urged to provide updates of security contacts to the Protective Liaison Division. This participation and cooperation greatly facilitates the timely exchange of security-related information between foreign missions and the Department of State as the need arises. It is equally important that similar security liaison be maintained between the Diplomatic Security Service and consular officials serving outside the Washington, DC, area. As much as possible, liaison should occur on a local or regional level. For example, consulates in Chicago should contact the Diplomatic Security Service’s Chicago Office. Consulates operating in a city that has no DSS office should contact the office nearest them. Note: Any foreign mission requiring immediate emergency assistance of any kind should first call the local police, fire, or ambulance service before contacting the Diplomatic Security Service.
Vienna Convention Two provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations are of particular interest to the Diplomatic Security Service:
Article 29
“The receiving State shall treat (the person of a diplomatic agent) with due respect and shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on his person, freedom, or dignity.”
Article 22(2)
“The receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.”
In discharging the responsibilities listed above, the Protective Liaison Division stresses that the U.S. Government will “take all appropriate steps” to protect resident diplomats and their missions. The level of protection will be commensurate with the threat that exists against that diplomatic mission in the United States.
Difficulties have arisen in the past when discussing the level of protection to be afforded a resident foreign official. This is primarily due to differences in interpreting threat levels and deploying police resources. While the threat level against an official may be high in his or her own country, the threat potential in the United States is often quite low.
The Protective Liaison Division is eager to maintain the full confidence and cooperation of all resident foreign officials and to provide the maximum protection possible with the resources at our disposal.
Responding to the Threat The level and measure of protective security provided by the U.S. Government to any resident foreign official or diplomatic or consular mission is based primarily on the threat that exists to the mission or the individual while in the United States. The threat level is determined by compiling all available information into a threat assessment that is continuously updated for each mission in the United States. These assessments are of vital importance to the Protective Liaison Division in determining the need for any extraordinary protective security measures. The information contained in the threat assessment is gathered and cataloged by the research analysts of Diplomatic Security’s Office of Intelligence and Threat Analysis. Analysts maintain constant contact with all domestic and international intelligence-gathering agencies and are able to provide comprehensive threat assessments that are both timely and accurate regarding the security of resident foreign officials. Admittedly, we cannot operate alone if we truly are to provide the safest environment possible for all diplomatic facilities and personnel. Information received from the sending State can be of great assistance in determining that threat level. For this reason, we welcome your participation in the threat assessment process. Should you need to discuss information relative to your security, the Protective Liaison Division can be contacted in Washington, DC at (202) 895-3600 during normal business hours. After-hours and emergency notifications can be made 24 hours a day to the Diplomatic Security Service Coordination Center at (202) 647-7277 or 1-800-979-9331. Protective Security Assistance To provide foreign missions with protective security, the Protective Liaison Division works very closely with the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division. These uniformed officers provide protection to all foreign missions in the United States 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With a sophisticated communications system and a patrol-response capability, officers can respond within minutes to any call for emergency assistance from a foreign mission. Uniformed Officers are Deployed in Several Ways Fixed posts: If the threat level against your embassy warrants it, one Secret Service Uniformed Division officer will be assigned to a fixed post outside your mission. This officer is relieved by others at regular intervals to maintain a high level of vigilance. His or her presence assists in creating a safe area for the entry and departure of diplomats and visitors and acts as a visual deterrent against minor crimes. However because this posting is highly visible and offers little protection against a determined terrorist, it is not always recommended for every mission. Mobile patrol response is often more effective. Vehicular and foot patrols: Most foreign mission protection is provided by a combination of motor and foot patrols which give close scrutiny at frequent and unpredictable intervals throughout the day and night. Uniformed officers are assigned to patrol established zones, serving as an effective deterrent to would-be attackers who are unable to determine the times of the frequent visits. Mobile response: The Secret Service Uniformed Division also maintains a 24-hour emergency response capability. Utilizing state-of-the-art law enforcement techniques, officers can respond within minutes to any situation that threatens life or property. Emergency response includes canine teams specially trained in explosives detection.
Procedural Security Assistance In addition to providing the protective security measures described so far, the Protective Liaison Division also offers a broad range of additional security services to the diplomatic community. These include briefings and seminars on security-related topics, specialized training for selected mission personnel, and consultation regarding the physical security of a specific mission and its official residence. The security services provided to a foreign mission are tailored to meet its particular needs. Among other security-related topics, the Protective Liaison Division can provide security assistance on the following general subjects. Personal Security Precautions, Emergency Reaction Plans, Physical Security Standards, Residential Security Standards, Crime Prevention Services, Surveillance Recognition Foreign missions interested in receiving assistance on any of these topics are encouraged to submit a formal request through the State Department country desk officer with whom they normally consult. This request should outline particular security concerns and, as much as possible, list specific objectives. The name of the official who will act as the mission’s coordinator for the seminar should be included. Of course, missions should continue to informally discuss any security concerns they have during the routine visits of the Protective Liaison Division officer with whom they normally deal. Defending against terrorism requires constant vigilance and open communication. By working together in a spirit of mutual cooperation, foreign missions across the United States and the Diplomatic Security Service can create a safe environment in which to conduct diplomatic and consular business. Diplomatic Security Offices in the United States Atlanta Resident Office Boston Field Office Chicago Field Office Dallas Resident Office Denver Resident Office Greensboro Resident Office Honolulu Resident Office Houston Field Office Los Angeles Field Office Miami Field Office National Passport Center DSS Resident Office New Orleans Resident Office
New York Field Office Philadelphia Resident Office Phoenix Resident Office San Diego Resident Office San Francisco Field Office San Juan Resident Office Seattle Resident Office St. Louis Resident Office Stamford Resident Office Washington Field Office West Los Angeles Satellite Office
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