12 FAM 240
DOMESTIC FIELD OFFICE PROGRAM
(TL:DS-180; 06-20-2012)
(Office of Origin: DS/DO/ICI)
12 FAM 241 SCOPE AND AUTHORITY
(TL:DS-39; 08-15-1994)
a. The director of DS/DSS/FLD is responsible for
oversight and overall direction of the field office program. The domestic field
office program consists of field and resident offices located in major cities
throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
b. Field offices are managed by a special agent in
charge (SAC), and supervisors of lesser rank such as an assistant special agent
in charge (ASAC), depending upon the number of special agents and other staff
assigned. Field office staffing varies with the size of the region and
workload. Resident offices are subordinate to a field office and are normally
staffed with 1 to 3 special agents.
c. Current DS field and resident office locations are
given in the Department of State Telephone Directory.
12 FAM 242 RESPONSIBILITIES
(TL:DS-8; 09-14-1990)
a. The field office program encompasses a broad range
of activities, including:
(1) Criminal, personnel security and other
investigations;
(2) Protection of certain U.S. and foreign
dignitaries;
(3) Protective liaison with foreign diplomatic
missions and officials; and
(4) Liaison with local, State and federal law
enforcement agencies and with the private U.S. business community having
interests abroad.
b. Field office personnel also provide temporary
support for other domestic and overseas security programs.
12 FAM 242.1 Personnel Security and
Other Investigations
(TL:DS-39; 08-15-1994)
As directed by DS/DSS/ICI, special agents and special
investigators assigned to field and resident offices conduct background security
investigations of prospective employees, incumbent employees, contractor
personnel and others seeking access to Department of State information and
facilities. Special agents are also responsible for performing a wide variety
of administrative investigations under the authority of the Secretary of State.
12 FAM 242.2 Criminal
Investigations
(TL:DS-39; 08-15-1994)
Field and resident offices are responsible for conducting
criminal investigations involving illegal passport or visa issuance or use, threats
to official DS protectees and certain incidents affecting the security of the
foreign diplomatic community and facilities in the United States. DS/ICI/CR or
the Office of the Inspector General (OIG/INV) through DS/ICI/CR may assign
field and resident offices to conduct investigations relating to
counterterrorism, employee misconduct, and munitions control.
12 FAM 242.3 Protection of
Dignitaries and Missions
(TL:DS-8; 09-14-1990)
As designated by the Office of Protection (DS/DSS/P),
field and resident offices provide support for the protection of:
(1) Certain visiting foreign dignitaries;
(2) The Secretary of State and certain other
Department officials;
(3) Selected foreign resident officials and missions;
and
(4) Selected U.S. Government officials.
12 FAM 242.4 Protective Liaison
with Foreign Diplomatic Missions
(TL:DS-8; 09-14-1990)
Field offices maintain liaison with the foreign diplomatic
missions in their districts. Under the guidance of DS/DSS/P, field offices
advise and assist foreign diplomatic officials on handling security threats and
other security and law enforcement related issues.
12 FAM 242.5 Liaison with Local and
Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
(TL:DS-8; 09-14-1990)
Pursuant to its law enforcement, investigative and
protective responsibilities, field and resident offices maintain liaison with
federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, U.S. attorneys offices,
passport agencies, and any other agencies as necessary and appropriate.
12 FAM 242.6 Liaison with U.S.
Business Community
(TL:DS-20; 06-21-1992)
Field and resident offices respond to requests from U.S.
firms having operations or representatives traveling overseas for information
on security matters and conditions abroad. Field office personnel provide
unclassified information regarding threat levels in other countries, terrorist
incidents, and general security conditions abroad to all interested U.S.
firms having a legitimate interest in security matters. Field offices obtain
from and coordinate such information with appropriate offices of the
Department, including the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) and the Private
Sector Liaison Staff.
12 FAM 242.7 Temporary Personnel
Support for Overseas Security Programs
(TL:DS-8; 09-14-1990)
Field and resident office personnel serve as a manpower
reserve for the temporary support and/or replacement of DS security officers.
The Office of Field Office Management (DS/DSS/FLD) may assign field office
personnel to temporary duty both domestically or overseas. For example, they
may substitute for personnel on annual or sick leave or provide extra support
in emergencies. DS/DSS/FLD may also require field office personnel to travel
overseas and assist RSOs on an extraordinary basis as in the case of terrorist
incidents or other security emergencies. Detailed personnel may provide special
expertise or enlarge the complement of security officers, as needed. Field
office personnel must be flexible and maintain readiness to respond
successfully to temporary support details.
12 FAM 243 THROUGH 249 UNASSIGNED