UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE

The Office of the United States Marshal was created on September 24, 1789, with the passage of the Judiciary Act by Congress. The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) was established in 1969 to provide guidance and assistance to U.S. Marshals throughout the nation. The USMS is a bureau within the Department of Justice and receives direction from the Attorney General through the Director, USMS.

The mission of the USMS is to enforce federal laws and provide support to virtually all elements of the federal justice system by providing for the security of federal court facilities and the safety of judges and other court personnel; apprehending criminals; exercising custody of federal prisoners and providing for their security and transportation to correctional facilities; executing federal court orders; seizing assets gained by illegal means and providing for the custody, management, and disposal of forfeited assets; assuring the safety of endangered government witnesses and their families; and collecting and disbursing funds.

The major functions of the USMS are to:

Office of the Director and Deputy Director

• Provide the vision, direction, and leadership for the agency.
• Establish the core values, policy, and procedures for the agency.
• Set goals and oversee the operations, activities, and performance of the agency.
• Ensure the equal employment opportunity of all employees.

Operations Support Division

• Oversee special assignments and provide operational support to the 94 districts throughout the country.
• Conduct program reviews and audits of district and headquarters units.
• Conduct investigations regarding alleged employee misconduct and other special investigations.
• Direct, coordinate, and manage the Special Operations Group and the 24-hour Communications Center.

General Counsel

• Provide legal counsel and services in support of agency missions and personnel.
• Manage the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program.

Management and Budget

• Monitor program plans and performance in coordination with Department of Justice.
• Prepare annual agency budget requests and monitor the expenditure of funds.
• Maintain official agency financial records.
• Provide accounting and finance services and identify ways to improve the performance and efficiency of the agency.
• Prepare the agency’s annual financial statements and oversee the annual audit.
• Provide for the development of information systems, networks, automated data processing (ADP) technology applications and set ADP standards.
• Provide network, computer, telephone and radio support services.

Executive Services

• Represent the missions and programs of the agency to the public, Congress, and other agencies.
• Maintain policy directives systems and file retention.

Judicial Security

• Provide judicial security and personal protection for the Federal Judiciary.
• Respond to threats against judges, U.S. Attorneys, the federal courts and USMS personnel and protectees.
• Provide liaison with other law enforcement and analytical groups to gather timely information on groups and individuals who may pose a threat to USMS operations, personnel, or protectees.
• Provide facility security and design for the USMS in federal courthouses and protected facilities as assigned.
• Collect, analyze, and coordinate timely dissemination of information supporting the agency’s protective mission.

Witness Security Prisoner Operations Division

• Provide for the housing and care of prisoners.
• Ensure the safe and secure receipt and processing of prisoners, including production for court hearings, medical services, or other purposes.
• Provide personal security for protected witnesses and their families.
• Provide documentation, relocation, and other services to participants in the protected witness program.

Investigative Services

• Locate and apprehend fugitives under the jurisdiction of the USMS.
• Organize regional task forces, and sponsor and participate in state/local task forces for the capture of state/local felony fugitives.
• Participate in federal task forces such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and other related task force operations.
• Participate in international investigations.
• Execute civil and criminal processes.

Human Resource Management

• Determine the human resource needs of the agency.
• Manage the background investigation program.
• Recruit and employ a culturally diverse workforce.
• Provide for the health, safety, and well-being of the workforce.
• Provide for the career advancement, continuing education and skills development of the workforce.
• Promote union and employee participation in setting the goals, objectives, and business practices of the agency.
• Take corrective or disciplinary action for employees when necessary.
• Determine the best equipment, materials and processes to assist the workforce in performing agency missions.
• Provide oversight for the agency’s payroll and employee benefits programs.

Business Services

• Provide contracting and procurement services.
• Provide program management and contract services for seized and forfeited property.
• Provide property management services, purchase and maintain vehicles and other equipment.
• Provide printing, mail, and graphics services.

Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS)

• Transport federal prisoners and detainees, including sentenced, pretrial, and illegal aliens in the custody of the USMS, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, or the Bureau of Immigration, Customs, and Enforcement.

United States Marshals Services District Field Offices

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