The '''Bureau of Diplomatic Security''' ('''DS''') is the political face and parent organization of the '''[[Diplomatic Security Service|U.S. Diplomatic Security Service]] (DSS)]]'''. The DSS consists of theover 2,000 Special Agents who are responsible for protecting visiting foreign dignitaries and U.S. diplomatic missions overseasabroad. The DSS is the primary conduit utilized by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Department of State for the majority of all security and law enforcement matters. Both acronyms (DS and DSS) are used interchangeably within the State Department and other agencies.

A handful of agents worked out of two locations, [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[New York City]], operating on confidential funds from the secretary's office. They conducted sensitive investigations, especially on the operations of foreign agents and their activities in the United States. The Diplomatic Security Service was known as the [[Bureau of Secret Intelligence]] at its inception in 1916.<ref>Book: Allen Dulles by James Srodes, Pagepage 83 Book: </ref><ref>The Armies of Ignorance: The Rise of the American Intelligence Empire by William R. Corson, 1977; Pagepage 74</ref><ref>Washington Post, Sept 7, 2004, State's Security Bureau Takes on Expanded Role, Robin Wright</ref> The Bureau of Secret Intelligence was also known as '''U-1''', an off-the-books adjunct to the Division of Information.<ref>2002 Relentless Pursuit: The DSS and the Manhunt for the Al-Qaeda Terrorists, Samuel M. Katz.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/c31108.htm |title=U.S. Department of State DS Pictorial History Photo 5 of 192 - 1916: U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing creates an informal "Secret Intelligence Bureau" to examine information of a secret nature received from other U.S. agencies and from allied intelligence agents, and to oversee surveillance of the German embassy in Washington, DC. The office is never a formal Department bureau but only a few "special agents" located within the Office of the Counselor. Lansing also proposes an inter-agency "secret service" to be centered in the Department of State, but the White House fails to act on the suggestion. In 1917, he hires the first Chief Special Agent, Joseph M. Nye. These initiatives come in response to German and Austrian acts of fraud, propaganda, sabotage, and espionage in the United States during the First World War. (Source: Library of Congress, National Photo Company Collection) |publisher=State.gov |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref> Before the United States entered World War I, German and Austrian spies were conducting operations in New York City. The spies were using forged or stolen identity papers. President Woodrow Wilson authorized the Secretary of State to establish a security arm of the Department of State. Three agents were recruited from the [[United States Secret Service]] because of their experience with counterfeit documents. Since the [[United States Postal Inspection Service|U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)]] had the best laboratory, the director of the new agency was recruited there.

SY assumed responsibility for the security of Department of State domestic facilities, which included [[information security]], building passes, and the physical security of Department of State facilities.

In 1961, according to at least one source, [[Otto Otepka]], then the Director of SY, brought to the attention of the [[United States Senate]] Internal Security Subcommittee deficiencies in the State Department clearance process. The allegations were traced all the way up to then-[[United States Secretary of State]] [[Dean Rusk]]. Despite multiple awards, appeals from multiple U.S. Senators, and despite having maintained his integrity by not backing down, Secretary Rusk removed Otepka from his position and ultimately fired him.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}

Today, the Diplomatic Security [[Counterintelligence]] Directorate conducts a robust counterintelligence program designed to deter, detect, and neutralize the efforts of foreign intelligence services targeting Department of State personnel, facilities, and diplomatic missions worldwide.

On November 4, 1985, the U.S. Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) and the [[Diplomatic Security Service|U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS)]] were officially established. Today the Bureau of Diplomatic Security has approximately 34,000 employees; 1,800 of whom are the Federal Agents within the Diplomatic Security Service.

The Inman Panel's recommendations received strong support from Congress, and on August 27, 1986, President [[Ronald Reagan]] signed H.R. 4151, the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986, which codified the recommendations of the Inman panel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=37781 |title=Ronald Reagan: Statement on Signing the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 |publisher=Presidency.ucsb.edu |date=1986-08-27 |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref> The new Bureau had a clearly defined mandate outlined in legislation and structured along the lines of other Federal law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies.

By the end of the 1980s, DS began sharing information with the American business community operating abroad, through the Overseas Security Advisory Council, which itself expanded to include all members of the U.S. private sector, including non-governmental organizations, religious groups, academic organizations, and associations. Also, the Bureau expanded to provide state-of-the-art security to the Department's communications and information systems.

The DS [[Rewards for Justice Program]] was initiated in 1992. Since then, more than $49 million has been paid for information that prevented or resolved acts of international terrorism against Americans. Information received through this program has resulted in the capture of several terrorists, including [[Ramzi Yousef]], the mastermind of the [[1993 World Trade Center bombing]]. Although the FBI received the credit, DSS agents actually found and arrested Yousef, the architect of the bombing. Special Agents Bill Miller and Jeff Riner were given a tip by an associate of Ramzi Yousef about his location. They contacted local officials and arrested Yousef.

DS continues to conduct criminal and personnel security investigations critical to the protection of American borders and the national security of the United States. Special agents investigate more than 3,500 passport and visa fraud violations each year. DS receives about 3,000 requests for overseas investigative assistance from U.S. law enforcement agencies annually and has achieved notable success in locating and apprehending wanted fugitives who have fled the United States .

Security engineering officers (SEOs) continue to design and manage security equipment programs at all posts, which are vital to the protection of our{{who|date=September 2011}} people and facilities abroad. SEOs also work to detect and prevent the loss of sensitive information from technical espionage, a continuing challenge in light of rapidly changing technology in detection equipment, computer systems, intrusion detection systems, and access control equipment.

While focused on improving security at U.S. missions abroad, several highly publicized incidents at the State Department firmly emphasized the need to strengthen domestic security as well. In addition to taking additional security measures at the State Department, the Assistant Secretary for DS convened a panel of security experts from the FBI, CIA, [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], [[U.S. Secret Service]], and DS to review all domestic security policies, programs, and procedures. The panel made recommendations concerning access control, physical and technical security, security awareness for employees, restriction of traffic around the building, creation of a chemical/biological program, and additional resources for security. The majority of these recommendations were implemented. The Department continues its efforts to enhance its domestic security program.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}}

The Antiterrorism Assistance Program, provides terrorism-focused police training to civilian security personnel from friendly governments. More than 31,000 students from 127 countries have received ATA training in the last 20 years. These students return to their countries better prepared to fight terrorism and protect Americans overseas during a crisis.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} In 2017, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) [https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-17-704 reported] on weaknesses in Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program data and oversight of participants, including those trained in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|last=U. S. Government Accountability Office|title=Antiterrorism Assistance: State Department Should Improve Data Collection and Participant Oversight|url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-17-704|access-date=2022-02-03|website=www.gao.gov|language=en}}</ref>

DSS investigations, carried out by numerous Field Offices and Resident Agent offices throughout the U.S, and by RSOs overseas, focus mainly on passport or visa fraud. DSS Special Agents also investigate such cases as international parental kidnapping, violations of the Protect Act, assaults on federally protected persons, fugitive arrests overseas (with host nation assistance), Counterterrorism and [[Counterintelligence]] (CI) investigations. If there is a nexus to diplomatic activities, the U.S. Foreign Service, or terrorism, DSS is typically involved.

===Passport &and visa fraud===

On June 4, 2009, the DSS and the FBI arrested former Department of State employee [[Walter Kendall Myers]] on charges of serving as an illegal agent of the Cuban government for nearly 30 years and conspiring to provide classified U.S. information to the Cuban government. Mr. Myers’ arrest is the culmination of a three-year joint DSS/FBI investigation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/06a/124404.htm |title=Arrest of Walter Kendall Myers |publisher=State.gov |access-date=2012-12-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/06a/124404.htm |title=Cuban spies arrested |publisher=State.gov |access-date=2012-12-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/05/myers.indictment.pdf |title=Federal Indictment of Myers |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/06a/124404.htm |title=Walter Kendall Myers and wife arrested for spying against the U.S |publisher=State.gov |access-date=2012-12-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/16/AR2010071600684.html?hpid%3Dmoreheadlines&sub=AR |title=Walter Kendall Myers sentenced to life in prison |publisherwork=Washingtonpost.com |date= 2010-07-17|access-date=2012-12-30 |first=Spencer S. |last=Hsu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/10/us-investigates-syrian-diplomats-for-spying-on-pro/ |title=U.S. Investigates Syrian Diplomats for Spying on Protesters - State Department may limit their travel |publisher=Washingtontimes.com |date=2011-07-10 |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref>

The Diplomatic Security Service maintains agents in dozens of [[Joint Terrorism Task Force]] operations around the country. The Office of Protective Intelligence and Investigations in the Threat Intelligence and Analysis division has DSS Special Agents who travel all over the world investigating threats to the Secretary of State and U.S. embassies and consulates. DSS Special Agents on the New York JTTF provided critical information in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and DSS Agents assigned as [[Regional Security Officer]]s around the world tracked down leads for the FBI and other federal agencies. Any time there is a threat or an attack against a U.S. embassy or consulate, DSS Special Agents are the first on the scene to investigate.

The Diplomatic Security Service investigates crimes against State Department personnel and other U.S. Government personnel and families assigned under Chief of Mission authority at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. DSS Special Agents have investigated thefts, assaults, rapes, and murders, among other charges, around the world. Unlike investigations conducted in the United States by other federal agencies, DSS Agents have to work jointly with their foreign counterparts in often hostile areas of the world.

In 1995, DSS Special Agents Jeff Riner and Bill Miller, the RSOs assigned to the U.S. embassy in Pakistan, were present with Pakistani police and [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] (ISI) when they arrested Ahmed Ramzi Yousef, who was wanted in connection with the 1993 World Trade Center bombing in New York City. Despite FBI press releases, it was not the FBI who captured Yousef but the ISI and DSS.

DSS Special Agents located and returned Jared Ravin Yaffe from Brazil. Yaffe, wanted in California for multiple counts of alleged child sexual assault, kidnapping, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, was returned to the United States on May 12, 2009, to face trial. On February 11, 2009, the United States District Court, Southern District of California issued a federal arrest warrant for Yaffe for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Yaffe was profiled on the television show [[America's Most Wanted]] on April 11, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/123280.htm |title=Diplomatic Security Locates and Returns A Fugitive From Brazil |publisher=State.gov |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref>

Upon arrival at a local bar, at 6:05 PM local time, a DSS agent tapped on Yancey's shoulder and told him "It is time to go." Belize authorities then arrested Yancey. Yancey was featured on America's Most Wanted.

On November 23, 2009, DSS Special Agents from the U.S. embassy’s [[Regional Security Office]] (RSO) worked closely with the U.S. Marshals Service, Guatemalan National Police, and INTERPOL to locate alleged murder suspect 24-year-old [[Ariel Beau Patrick]], who was taken into custody in Guatemala. [[Ariel Patrick]] was featured on America's Most Wanted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/132450.htm |title=DSS Agents help locate a fugitive from justice in Guatemala |publisher=State.gov |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref>

On April 26, 2010, after failing to check in with pretrial services within two days of his April 21 hearing on his bond status, [[Andrew Warren]], 42, was apprehended by a combined team of [[Norfolk Police Department]] Fugitive Investigators, [[Diplomatic Security Service|DSS]] Special Agents and [[U.S. Marshals]]. Judge Ellen S. Huvelle of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the former CIA officer.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein |first=Jeff |url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/spy-talk/2010/04/report_fugitive_former_cia_off.html |title=Former CIA Station Chief arrested |publisher=Blog.washingtonpost.com |date=2010-04-26 |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cole |first=Matthew |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/cia-star-andrew-warren-arrested-hotel-drug-paraphernalia/story?id=10481813 |title=ABC - Former CIA spy arrested |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=2010-04-27 |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref>

On July 30, 2010, special agents from the U.S. Department of State's [[Diplomatic Security Service]] (DSS) located fugitive George Alvin Viste in Peru. Viste is wanted in Clark County, Washington on seven different criminal charges including the rape of a child, child molestation, and incest. "Diplomatic Security’s [[Regional Security Office]] in Lima worked closely with the U.S. Marshals Service and our law enforcement counterparts in Peru to locate Viste,” said Jeffrey W. Culver, Director of the Diplomatic Security Service."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/146084.htm |title=Diplomatic Security Press Release |publisher=State.gov |date=2010-08-19 |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|authordate=30.2010-07.10 -30|url=http://elcomercio.pe/tag/171695/george-alvin-viste |title=Peruvian press release with video |publisher=Elcomercio.pe |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scanpix.no/spWebApp/preview.action;jsessionid=761BD2DCD8C7360F25C4DC50C7E8C8EA.tomcatA?search.offset=35&search.rid=41421&search.rbase=DV&search.showNumResults=20&search.pictureOrientation=all&search.onCd=false&search.baseId=100&search.searchId=1058410522&search.previewNumResults=15949&search.roundedOffset=20&search.tabId=video |title=Reuters images |publisher=Scanpix.no |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref>

On January 12, 2011, Special agents from the U.S. Department of State's [[Diplomatic Security Service]] (DSS) have located and helped return California fugitive John Pope from Mexico. Pope, formerly of San Francisco, was taken into custody by Mexican authorities in La Paz, Mexico on January 12 and returned to the United States on January 18, 2011 to face trial. John Pope has been wanted by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office since October 20, 1998, in connection with allegations of fraud concerning embezzlement of $1,000,000 from the estate of a deceased San Francisco businessman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblaze.com/usnews/crime/dss-locates-and-helps-the-return-of-fugitive-john-pope-from-mexico_64414/ |title=Newsblaze article |publisher=Newsblaze article cn|date=2011-01-23November |access-date=2012-12-302021}}</ref>

==Assistant Secretaries of State for Diplomatic Security==
The head of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the [[Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security]]. Assistant Secretaries within the State Department are allowed to use the title of Ambassador. For the heads of the DS predecessor (SY) see the [[Diplomatic Security Service]] (DSS) page.

* [[Robert E. Lamb]] (1985–1989), Foreign Service Officer, was [[Assistant Secretary of State for Administration]] and Security from 1983–1987, and then became the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security when the position was formally established.

* [[Eric J. Boswell]] (1996–1998), Foreign Service Officer. Was first the Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, then brought on to concurrently be the DS Assistant Secretary.

* [[Gregory B. Starr]] (2013-2017) Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security and Director of the [[Diplomatic Security Service]]. Starr was reappointed February 1, 2013 as the DSS Director. On July 31, 2013, President Obama announced that he was formally nominating Mr. Starr for Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/07/31/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] | title= President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] | date=2013-07-31}}</ref>

* Todd J. Brown, acting (July 2020-PresentAugust 2021)

OSAC, through its staff of foreign service, civil service, and government contract professionals in the Research and Information Support Center (RISC), provides a forum for sharing best practices, provides the tools needed to cope with security-related challenges and issues abroad, and provides analytical reporting on trends, incidents, and events affecting the private sector, including public annual Crime & Safety Reports with information for private-sector security managers to use when making decisions affecting their organizations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReports.aspx |title = Reports}}</ref> OSAC's reports also include ratings for every location where the United States has a diplomatic facility. However, these are Department of State ratings that speak to the threat against official U.S. Government interests in specific cities; they are not created by OSAC, and are neither countrywide threat ratings nor ratings evaluating the threat to private U.S. travelers.

Private-sector member organizations are selected from its constituency to serve for two to six-year terms on the OSAC Council. Representatives of the member organizations meet quarterly to tackle specific projects, such as the protection of business information and mitigating the effects from [[transnational crime]]. The OSAC Council is chaired by the Director of the Diplomatic Security Service and co-chaired by a selected representative of the private sector; currently, the private-sector co-chair represents the [[Raytheon]] Company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.osac.gov/Pages/AboutUs.aspx|title=Working Together to Protect U.S. Organizations Overseas}}</ref>

According to 2017 reports, at least the following countries have a critical security rating: Argentina,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21427 |title = Reports}}</ref> El Salvador,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/contentreportdetails.aspx?cid=19257 |title = Reports}}</ref> Guatemala,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21628 |title = Reports}}</ref> Honduras,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21167 |title = Reports}}</ref> Nicaragua<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21672 |title = Reports}}</ref> and Peru,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21169 |title = Reports}}</ref> high security rating include Albania, medium security reports includes Bolivia<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21612 |title = Reports}}</ref> among others and 2017 low security report rating includes Canada,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21681 |title = Reports}}</ref> Montenegro<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=23506 |title = Reports}}</ref> and Spain<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=19045 |title = Reports}}</ref> among others.

'''Special Agents''' of the '''[[Diplomatic Security Service|U.S. Diplomatic Security Service - DSS]]''' are sworn Federal law enforcement agents who are responsible for the security of Foreign Service personnel, property and sensitive information throughout the world. Although the [[Diplomatic Security Service|Diplomatic Security Service (DSS)]] is an organization within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, it is the primary conduit utilized by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security for the majority of all law enforcement and security matters. The DSS is the federal law enforcement branch of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. DSS Special Agents are responsible for the protection of the Secretary of State, certain foreign dignitaries during their visits to the U.S., and others as designated by the Secretary of State. Major activities include protective services, management of security programs for Foreign Service posts, criminal investigations, and background investigations, in addition to administrative, training, and liaison functions.

'''Security Engineering Officers''' (SEO) are responsible for managing the Department's technical and information security programs, projects, and resources throughout the world. SEOs protect personnel, facilities, and sensitive information against espionage, terrorism, and crime. These highly skilled [[security engineering|engineers]] develop, maintain, and install electrical and mechanical systems such as access and perimeter controls, [[closed-circuit television]], alarms, locks, and x-ray and bomb detection equipment. Engineers plan and conduct technical surveillance inspections to detect and nullify clandestine intrusions. They test new technical equipment and develop new techniques, strategies, and procedures for finding hidden intelligence-gathering devices. SEOs continually are challenged to identify security risks, analyze those risks, and develop systems to ensure the integrity of Department of State computers and worldwide network information systems. U.S. Navy Seabees and a cadre of specially trained Security Technical Specialists (STS) assist SEOs with the maintenance and repair of our security systems. Domestically SEO's manage, plan, and provide engineering support to worldwide technical security programs and to the Secretary of State and visiting dignitaries. Overseas SEO's manage Engineering Service Centers (ESC) and Engineering Service Offices (ESO), which provide technical security to one or multiple posts under the management of Regional Security Officers (RSO).

'''Security Technical Specialists''' (STS) are support personnel within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security who assist in worldwide technical security programs. These programs provide protection for Department of State facilities and personnel from technical espionage, acts of terrorism, and crime. In this protection effort, sophisticated electronic and electromechanical security systems are used throughout the world, which include: intrusion detection systems (IDS), closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, vehicular and pedestrian access control systems, metal detectors, and explosive detection systems. STS's support technical security support domestically and at ESC's and ESO's worldwide.