Ensuring the safe conduct of judicial proceedings and
protecting federal judges, jurors and other members of
the federal judiciary are principal functions of the
Marshals Service.
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The United States Marshals Service, Judicial Security Division (JSD)
is committed to the protection of the judicial process – by ensuring the
safe and secure conduct of judicial proceedings and protecting federal
judges, jurors and other members of the federal judiciary. This mission
is accomplished by anticipating and deterring threats to the judiciary,
and the continuous development and employment of innovative protective
techniques.
During 2007, the
Director of the Marshals Service testified before Congress that the
Marshals Service’s Judicial Security Division will establish the
National Center for Judicial Security (NCJS). The NCJS will provide a
wide range of services and support to federal, state, local and
international jurisdictions as they seek advice and assistance on
questions of judicial security. The NCJS will also initiate programs
and activities directly related to threat assessment, training,
information sharing, and technology review.
Additional information on the National
Center for Judicial Security Fellowship Program:
Judicial
Operations
is a collection of national programs within JSD lead by a Deputy
Assistant Director that has oversight for the Office of Courthouse
Management, the Office of Protective Operations, and the Office of
Protective Intelligence. Working together through resource and
information sharing, these missions intertwine to create a synergy
intended to ensure effective security of judicial officials, USMS
personnel, prisoners and the visiting public. Judicial Operations
utilizes a national network of operational personnel (Deputy U.S.
Marshals) and physical security specialists to effectively manage
personal and facility security issues around the globe.
Office of Courthouse Management
 The
Office of Courthouse Management (OCM) serves as the center of expertise
concerning prisoner movement space and detention facilities within U.S.
Federal Courthouses. OCM is responsible for the programming, planning,
acquisition, budgeting, design, construction and electronic physical
security of all Marshals Service office space, prisoner movement space,
operations areas, prisoner detention space and any other physical areas
associated with the security of Marshals Service space. The Office of
Courthouse Management utilizes the JSD National Security Survey to
assess vulnerabilities of federal court facilities for security
improvements. In addition, the OCM administers the agency’s
Occupational Safety and Health Program, Architectural Program,
Headquarters Buildings Program, Rent Program, the Information and
Classified Security Program, and a Security Research and Development
Program. During 2007, OCM oversaw the installation of more than 1,492
home intrusion detection systems in judges’ personal residences.
Office of
Protective Intelligence
The Office of Protective Intelligence (OPI) is comprised of Senior
Inspectors, Intelligence Research Specialists and Program Analysts that
provide guidance, oversight, and coordination to the district offices
that investigate threats and inappropriate communications directed at
the judiciary, U.S. Attorneys and other court officers. OPI supports
the protective mission of the USMS by collecting, analyzing and
disseminating information and protective intelligence in the form of
threat assessments, briefings and information bulletins. In addition,
OPI provides a 24/7 response capability through the newly
constructed Threat
Management
Center.
In fiscal year 2007, more than 1,140 threats and inappropriate
communications against USMS protectees were investigated, analyzed, and
assessed to determine the level of risk and potential for danger.
In FY 2007, the
Office of Protective Intelligence:
-
Provided Protective Investigations Training to 100
Deputy
U.S.
Marshals and Judicial Security Inspectors. All
of the training was conducted by experts from the USMS, U.S. Secret
Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Diplomatic Security Service, Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation.
-
Coordinated and provided guidance and oversight for more
than 1,140 protective investigations.
Office of
Protective Operations
The Office of
Protective Operations (OPO) is comprised of Senior Inspectors and
Program Analysts that provide security and protection, manage protective
investigations, conduct threat assessments, gather and disseminate
information and intelligence; all to ensure that justice can be
administered without fear or coercion. These services are provided to
all members of the Federal judiciary, the Director of the White House
Office of National Drug Control Policy, all U.S. Supreme Court Justices,
the Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Attorneys and Assistant U.S.
Attorneys. On any given day, the USMS is responsible for safeguarding
more than 2,000 sitting judges, and approximately 5,250 other court
officials at over 400 court facilities throughout the United States and
its territories. In fiscal year 2007, more than 1,140
threats/inappropriate communications against USMS protectees were
investigated, analyzed, and assessed – some of which resulted in
around-the-clock protective details.
On a daily basis,
USMS personnel assigned to the Office of Protective Operations deploy
state-of-the-art protective techniques, equipment, and counter measures.
These skills and abilities are deployed in a proactive manner, but can
assure rapid, thorough, and safe responses to almost any emergency
situation, including a terrorist attack and natural disasters.
Additionally, these skills and abilities allow for unobtrusive
surveillance and protection during routine judicial security operations.
In FY 2007, the
Office of Protective Operations:
-
Coordinated and provided 188 protective details (outside
of courthouses) to U.S. Supreme Court Justices, U.S Appellate Court,
District Court and federal Magistrate Judges, and/or other members
of the judicial system.
-
Provided security services for 143 judicial conferences
and other significant gatherings of members of the federal
judiciary.
-
Coordinated and provided personnel and additional
security resources for 102 high-threat trials, including 11
terrorist trials.
Judicial Services
is a national program in the Judicial Security Division whose leadership
includes a Deputy Assistant Director that has oversight for programs
funded by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AOUSC)
court security appropriation. The funding provides for the Court
Security Officer (CSO) program, security equipment and systems for space
occupied by the judiciary and for U.S. Marshals Service employees to
administer the daily functions. The Judicial Services is separated into
four oversight areas: the Office of Court Security is responsible for
the daily operations and personnel management of the CSO program, the
Office of Security Contracts performs the daily contract
responsibilities with the private contractors and the district Contract
Officer Technical Representatives, the Office of Security Systems is
responsible for all security and monitoring systems for judicial space,
and the Office of Financial Management has the daily oversight
responsibility of a three hundred million dollar budget.
Office of Court Security
 The
Office of Court Security (OCS) has primary responsibility for ensuring
that the CSOs protect the judiciary and court family – as well as
thousands of jurors, attorneys and visitors entering court facilities
across the nation. The OCS determines resource needs and develops and
enhances program operations and contract requirements for the CSOs. The
OCS also provides day-to-day operational guidance to U.S. Marshals
Service senior management officials in each district office.
Currently, more than
4,700 CSOs with certified law enforcement experience are deployed at
more than 400 court facilities in the United States and its territories.
All CSOs are required to pass a comprehensive screening process to
ensure that specific background, physical, medical and weapons
qualifications standards are met. The OCS screens approximately 5,000
CSO applicants and incumbents annually, ensuring that they are
qualified, physically fit, and capable of responding to potential
security threats.
Office of Security
Contracts
The Office of Security Contracts provides acquisition support to the
Judicial Security Division primarily in the area of court security.
This office is responsible for the full range of acquisition functions
for security services, equipment, systems and maintenance.
The bulk of acquisitions performed in this office is related to the CSO
Program. Contracts are awarded to each of the twelve Judicial Circuits
for court security services to be performed in all 94 Judicial
Districts. An interagency agreement between the AOUSC provides funding
and contracting authority for the CSO security services. It is
estimated that the value of the contracts for these services will exceed
$250 million per fiscal year.
The second major contracting function of OSC is the support of the
Office of Security Systems which is responsible for the physical
security of the U.S. Courts through the installation and maintenance of
security equipment and systems. The OSC has established a nationwide
contract for installation of new equipment and security systems in
renovated and newly constructed facilities.
The third area of
contracting support provided by OSC is in the Home Intrusion Detection
System (HIDS) Program through the Office of Courthouse Management. Under
the HIDS Program, commercial available home alarm systems and
centralized monitoring are procured for Federal Judicial participants
residents. Currently, it is estimated that there will be 1,650 systems
installed and monitored under a nationwide contract for these services.
This program has been in existence since December 2005, and was
authorized by the U.S. Congress to provide enhanced security to the
Federal judiciary.
Office of
Security Systems
In fulfilling its primary responsibility of providing security services
to the federal judiciary, the Office of Security Systems (OSS) deploys
and coordinates the installation of complex electronic security systems
to protect federal judges, courthouse staff members, visitors and
physical court facilities. This includes some perimeter security,
access control, closed circuit television surveillance, and alarm
reporting systems. The OSS designs low-profile weapons-screening
stations used at the entrances of most court facilities. These stations
are designed so CSOs can identify and seize unauthorized weapons in a
setting that provides protection while blending into lobby architecture.
These stations include x-ray equipment with state-of-the-art detection
software maintained by
OSS. Through research and development,
OSS deploys and tests new equipment around the country to
enhance facility security.
Office of Financial Management
Each year, the USMS receives funding by transfer from the AOUSC for the
purpose of implementing a court security program at Federal courthouses
throughout the country. The Office of Financial Management is
responsible for all budget and financial aspects of the resources made
available for the efficient and effective operation of Judicial
Services. This funding is utilized to award and monitor nationwide
security services contracts; provide for the installation of security
systems and equipment in facilities occupied by the judiciary; and
provide for USMS staff salary and expenses to administer these efforts.
The majority of the funding is annual; however a portion of no-year
funding is also transferred solely for use in acquisition and
installation of security systems and equipment. For fiscal year 2007,
the total currently available is $312 million. Based on the current
financial plan, 88.6% will be used for CSO operations, 9.4% for security
systems and equipment, and 2% for management and administration. |
