Diplomatic Security Special Agents

Enhanced Authorities for Diplomatic Security Special Agents

An amendment to the State Department Basic Authorities Act included in Public Law 107-228 expanded the law enforcement authorities of special agents of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

The new authorities, which became effective on April 6, 2005, with the publication of Public Notice 5208 in the Federal Register, allow Diplomatic Security special agents to:

Obtain and execute subpoenas, summonses, and search and arrest warrants for any federal offense;
Make an arrest without a warrant for any federal offense committed in a special agent’s presence or for any federal felony if an agent has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested is committing or has committed such felony.
The guidelines impose reasonable limitations, including a requirement that a warrant be obtained when the need to make an arrest is reasonably foreseeable.

"This is a great day for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security," stated Joe D. Morton, Acting Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security. "These new authorities enhance the ability of our special agents to conduct effective criminal investigations, secure U.S. borders, and protect the American people from the threat of terrorism."

Diplomatic Security is the worldwide law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State with special agents assigned to U.S. diplomatic missions overseas and field offices throughout the United States. Diplomatic Security special agents conduct passport and visa fraud investigations worldwide and are responsible for security at 285 U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world.

SOURCE: state.gov Contact: Andy Laine (571) 345-2499 E-mail: LaineA2@state.gov 2005/432 Released on April 19, 2005 Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC April 19, 2005