They also must have at least three years job experience in law enforcement and have passed an approved firearms course, but most officers have considerably more experience, in fact entire careers, in the field. They are the guard force at federal court facilities, with responsibilities that range from security screening, and monitoring security equipment, to providing roving patrols and courtroom security for low level court proceedings. Court Security Officers are the trained eyes on duty in our courts. Their experience is the first defense against trouble. Fitness standards also are being reviewed.
Officers attend overview sessions at centrally located conference centers.
The programs are cost efficient and can be scheduled to accommodate different schedules. This training is provided by staff from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, in Glynco, Georgia. All new CSOs must complete the in-district orientation program. They must also be familiar with the USMS s firearms policy, trial security levels, standard operating procedures and decorum for courtrooms, screening identification and x-ray interpretation, threat recognition, and searches. The USMS and the Administrative Office are working to produce a video about CSO courtroom duties.