Special Agent Earns Officer de l'Order National Malagasy for Training Local Law Enforcement
Diplomatic Security Special Agent Christopher Gillis, a native of Hampton, VA, was decorated in July, 2008 in Antananarivo, Madagascar with the Officer de l'Order National Malagasy, the country's second highest honor. This is the first time in the African island nation's history that the government honored a U.S. Department of State special agent with this award.
Special Agent Gillis is a Diplomatic Security Regional Security Officer, who serves as the U.S. Ambassador's senior U.S. law enforcement and security advisor. Gillis received the award for his efforts in training local law enforcement officers in the Malagasy National Police and the Gendarme.
Malagasy officers received training in criminal investigations, executive leadership development, cyber crime, combating terrorism, customs border protection, and drug eradication. During Gillis' involvement with the program, 184 Malagasy police and Gendarme officers attended the training.
The award, which is given to individuals who have performed an outstanding service to Madagascar or its people, is traditionally reserved for dignitaries within the diplomatic community, military attaches, and Malagasy citizens.
Gregory B. Starr, Director of the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), stated, "It is this type of individual initiative that distinguishes our special agents. RSO Gillis' work highlights the important worldwide law enforcement role of Diplomatic Security."
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State's law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations. In 2007, DS participated in 1,955 arrests globally, primarily for passport and visa fraud, including 406 arrests overseas in cooperation with foreign police. Additional information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds
Contact:
Darby G. Holladay
Diplomatic Security Public Affairs
Holladaydg@state.gov
