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united states Department of state

Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Diplomatic Security

REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICE
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Introduction..................................................................................... 1

Law Enforcement and Security Services.......................................... 3

U.S. Embassy, Personnel, and Information Protection ................... 3

Marine Security Guards................................................................... 3

Local Guards .................................................................................... 3

Law Enforcement Liaison ................................................................ 4

Visa and Passport Fraud .................................................................. 4

Transnational Crimes....................................................................... 4

Antiterrorism Assistance.................................................................. 7

International Law Enforcement Academy...................................... 9

Major International Events ............................................................. 9

Rewards For Justice Program ......................................................... 10

Safety For Americans Abroad........................................................ 12

Emergency Response ..................................................................... 13

Schools and Recreational Organizations...................................... 15

Overseas Security Advisory Council............................................... 16
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Diplomatic Security: 

Regional Security Office

Introduction

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the security and 

law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State. 

It dates back to 1916 with the appointment of a single 

Chief Special Agent who reported directly to the U.S. 

Secretary of State on special matters. Over the years, 

Diplomatic Security’s authority has expanded and now 

includes criminal investigations of passport and visa fraud; 

protection of heads of state and official representatives of 

foreign governments while in the United States; securing 

information systems; and safeguarding U.S. embassies 

throughout the world.

Today Diplomatic Security is a global force of 35,000 

professionals dedicated to ensuring that the United States 

can conduct foreign policy safely and securely. Operating 

from a worldwide platform in 189 countries, Diplomatic 

Security is a world leader in international investigations, 

threat analysis, cyber security, dignitary protection, security 

technology, counterterrorism, and more.

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Law Enforcement and Security Services

Diplomatic Security is represented throughout the world by 

a Regional Security Office (RSO) in every U.S. embassy and 

in some U.S. consulates.

The RSO provides a range of services to U.S. citizens, 

the U.S. private sector, and foreign law enforcement 

organizations. Each office is managed by a Diplomatic 

Security Regional Security Officer, who serves as the U.S. 

Ambassador’s senior U.S. law enforcement and security 

advisor. 

The Regional Security Office:

: Protects the U.S. embassy or consulate, its personnel, 

and information. 

: Serves as the U.S. embassy’s law enforcement liaison to 

the host nation.

: Arranges training for foreign police and security officers 

to combat terrorism.

: Advises Americans about safety and security abroad 

and assists U.S.-related schools and organizations in 

obtaining security grants.

: Shares security information with the U.S. private sector 

through the Overseas Security Advisory Council.

U.S. Embassy, Personnel, and Information 

Protection

American embassies and consulates overseas are a 

frequent target of terrorists and other criminals. To 

mitigate threats, the RSO develops, implements, and 

manages a range of physical, cyber, and personnel security 

programs.

Marine Security Guards

The RSO directs U.S. Marine Security Guards who secure 

the interior of most U.S. embassies. Marine Security 

Guards ensure the security of information and personnel 

within the U.S. missions. During some crises, they help 

evacuate Americans living in the region.

Local Guards

RSOs also manage a worldwide force of 33,000 local 

guards that protects the perimeters of U.S. diplomatic 

facilities. Local guards, usually citizens of the host nation, 

patrol the grounds and inspect vehicles, visitors, and 

packages. They also respond to alarms and requests 

for assistance. 3
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Law Enforcement Liaison

As the U.S. Department of State’s primary point of 

contact with law enforcement and security agencies of 

the host nation, the RSO works with foreign police and 

security organizations to coordinate U.S. law enforcement 

initiatives, investigations and, in some cases, training.

RSOs are staffed by expert investigators — including 

citizens of the host nation known as Foreign Service 

National Investigators — who maintain strong relationships 

with foreign and international law enforcement 

organizations and assist on fugitive apprehensions, 

terrorism, and transnational crime cases. 

Visa and Passport Fraud

Travel document fraud represents a serious and growing 

threat to the security of all nations. Criminals who obtain a 

fraudulent travel document often use it to commit crimes 

such as terrorism, financial fraud, narcotics trafficking, 

alien smuggling, and identity theft. Fugitives often seek to 

change their identities and travel internationally as part of 

their criminal activities. 

Our Regional Security Offices conduct international 

document fraud investigations. Working with foreign law 

enforcement agencies, RSOs investigate and coordinate 

hundreds of international visa and passport fraud cases 

each year. Cases include allegations of corruption by 

American and locally employed staff of U.S. embassies, 

fraudulent document vendors, bribery, alien smuggling, 

and trafficking of U.S. visas. 

Transnational Crimes

The Regional Security Office works with its law 

enforcement counterparts abroad to pursue investigative 

leads on U.S. fugitives wanted for crimes such as homicide, 

pedophilia, narcotics trafficking, parental kidnapping, 

financial and Internet fraud, and other crimes. 
In Seoul, South Korea, a Regional Security Officer (right) coordinates 

with local SWAT team personnel.
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The close working relationships between our RSOs and 

their foreign counterparts, combined with the expertise of 

our 350 locally hired investigators, has resulted in locating 

U.S. fugitives all over the world. These fugitives are often 

found to have continued their criminal activities in their 

newly adopted countries. 

In 2003, the U.S. Congress passed the PROTECT Act 

making it a crime for U.S. citizens to sexually exploit or 

abuse children in a foreign country. As a result, demand 

for the RSOs’ investigative assistance overseas has 

increased as U.S. law enforcement seeks to apprehend 

U.S. pedophiles who prey on children around the globe.

In Pakistan, Regional Security Officers were on hand for an 

Antiterrorism Assistance training graduation ceremony.
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Antiterrorism Assistance 

Diplomatic Security’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) 

program builds the counterterrorist capacity of America’s 

partner nations by enhancing the skills and abilities of their 

civilian law enforcement personnel. Since its inception, 

this program has trained and assisted more than 67,000 

foreign security and law enforcement personnel from 154 

countries.

Participants in the ATA program have used their new skills 

to deter and prevent terrorist attacks, rescue American 

hostages, dismantle terrorist cells, and apprehend terrorist 

operatives and leaders.
Regional Security Officers provide support to U.S. athletes, officials, 

sponsors, and citizens during major international events. Here two 

RSOs review security arrangements for American VIPs at the 

Wukesong baseball venue during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. 
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Antiterrorism Assistance programs are tailored to meet the 

needs of the host country. We develop courses and provide 

training on topics such as:

: Bomb detection and disposal

: Crime scene investigation

: Hostage negotiation

: Airport and building security

: Maritime protections

: VIP protection 

: Cyber security

: Senior crisis management

: Soft-target security

: Fraudulent document detection

: Post-blast investigations

: Canine programs

: Crisis response teams

: Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams

International Law Enforcement Academy 

Each year hundreds of police officers from member 

countries are invited to participate in training at the 

International Law Enforcement Academies in Bangkok, 

Budapest, Gaborone, and San Salvador. 

These programs offer to non-U.S. mid-level civilian police 

officers courses on management skills and a variety of 

other specialized classes. Core programs are conducted 

by Diplomatic Security and other U.S. federal law 

enforcement agencies.

Major International Events

Diplomatic Security is the lead U.S. law enforcement 

organization working with foreign law enforcement 

and security agencies to protect American citizens and 

U.S. interests at major public events overseas, such as 

international trade expos and sports competitions. 

For example, Diplomatic Security personnel have worked 

with their foreign counterparts to coordinate protection at 

the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the 2007 Pan American Games, 

the 2007 Cricket World Cup, and all overseas Olympic 

Games since 1984.
Rewards for Justice Program

Diplomatic Security administers the Rewards for Justice 

program, a key weapon in the U.S. war on terror. Through 

this program, the U.S. Secretary of State may offer 

substantial rewards for information that leads to the arrest 

or conviction of anyone who plans, commits, or attempts 

international terrorist acts against U.S. persons or property; 

that prevents such acts from occurring in the first place; 

that leads to the location of a key terrorist leader; or that 

disrupts terrorism financing. 

Since the program began in 1984, the United States has 

paid more than $82 million to more than 50 persons who 

provided information that put terrorists behind bars or 

prevented terrorist acts against Americans around the 

world. 

Some of the Rewards for Justice program’s notable success 

stories include locating international terrorist Ramzi 

Yousef, convicted for the 1993 bombing of the World 

Trade Center, and Saddam Hussein’s sons, Uday and Qusay 

Hussein. All were located with information provided 

by RFJ sources. The identities of RFJ sources and the 

information they provide are kept strictly confidential. 

Rewards for Justice campaigns are internationally 

advertised with posters; matchbook covers; newspaper, 

radio, and television ads; and on the Internet at 

www.rewardsforjustice.net.

People wishing to provide information to the Rewards 

for Justice program should contact the Regional Security 

Office at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or use the 

following contact information:

Mailing address:

RFJ, Washington D.C. 20522-0303, USA

Toll-free telephone number:

1-800-US-REWARDS

E-mail:

RFJ@state.gov

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In Manila, a Regional Security Officer reveals suitcases of reward 

money for two informants who provided information that led 

to the capture of a leader of a terrorist organization.
A Regional Security Officer, left, assists American citizens during the 

2006 evacuation of Beirut. 

Safety For Americans Abroad

Working closely with the embassy’s Consular Affairs office, 

the RSO is a resource for U.S. citizens living, working, and 

traveling overseas. RSOs provide the latest information on 

safety and security conditions specific to their country of 

residence, as well as recommendations on how to protect 

against crime, civil unrest, terrorism or other threatening 

situations. RSO personnel may also be called upon to 

provide assistance to U.S. citizens before, during, or after 

emergencies overseas.

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Emergency Response

To improve the delivery of assistance and information to 

U.S. citizens during or following terrorist attacks, natural 

disasters, civil disorder, and other emergencies, the 

Department of State encourages all Americans abroad to 

register with the closest U.S. consulate. 

When the embassy is aware of an impending emergency, 

the RSO assists in producing “warden messages” and 

other advisories or warnings that are disseminated to 

registered American citizens via e-mail, fax, or telephone 

by American Citizen Services (ACS) within the embassy.
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If an emergency requires the evacuation of Americans, the 

RSO assists in disseminating information on evacuation 

times and locations. RSO personnel may also coordinate 

with host nation law enforcement and security agencies 

to ensure safe passage of Americans to evacuation points, 

and to provide and coordinate security at the points of 

departure.

A Regional Security Officer briefs the U.S. Embassy WMD First 

Responder Team during a training exercise in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Consular Affairs office uses its notification system to 

invite registered U.S. citizens to U.S. embassy town hall 

meetings at which mission personnel — including RSO 

staff — provide country-specific security briefings. 

Americans abroad may be targeted by criminals. When 

an American abroad becomes a victim of crime, the RSO 

can help the victim file criminal complaints, obtain police 

reports, and deal with the host country judicial system.
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Schools and Recreational Organizations

As Diplomatic Security and other U.S. agencies have 

improved security at U.S. facilities overseas in recent 

years, terrorists have begun to pursue less protected 

targets in which the United States has an interest. These 

“soft targets” include overseas schools and recreation 

associations at which U.S. citizens or their children study 

or socialize. 

To reduce the threat of terrorist attack against these 

educational institutions and recreational organizations, the 

U.S. Department of State awards “soft target” grants for 

the purchase and installation of security upgrades at these 

facilities.

Although these facilities are not under the authority or the 

responsibility of the U.S. embassy, the Regional Security 

Officer often serves as an informal advisor on security 

matters.

The RSO conducts security surveys, identifies security 

vulnerabilities, and makes security recommendations 

that the school or recreation center includes as part of its 

proposal for U.S. Government grant funds. 

A Regional Security Officer, left, confers with officials of the Kenyan 

Wildlife Service in Nairobi National Park. For many years RSOs in 

Nairobi have had a strong partnership with the Wildlife Service.
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Overseas Security Advisory Council 

The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) is a 

public-private partnership that promotes security through 

cooperation and information-sharing between the U.S. 

Department of State and U.S. companies, educational 

institutions, religious groups, and nonprofit organizations 

overseas.

OSAC has more than 120 country councils in the Middle 

East, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. 

These country councils provide a forum for effective 

communication between the U.S. embassy and the 

American private sector in a given country. 

They also provide participants with timely unclassified 

safety and security information, educational seminars, 

and, in some cases, training exercises to confront today’s 

security threats. 

For more information about the Regional Security Office 

at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, contact:

INSERT BUSINESS CARD OR AFFIX LABEL 

WITH CONTACT INFO FOR LOCAL RSO
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Photo Credits

Page 12-13: AP/Wideworld

All other photos: U.S. Department of State
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Public Affairs

Bureau of Diplomatic Security

U.S. Department of State

Washington, DC 20522-2008

571-345-2502

www.diplomaticsecurity.state.gov

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

Publication 11496

Bureau of Diplomatic Security

English Language, 2nd Edition

Released April 2009