A regional security officer ( RSO ) is a special agent of the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) in charge of a regional security office . The RSO is the principal security attaché and advisor to the U.S. ambassador at American embassies and consulates . Working for the United States Department of State as special agents, RSOs are also considered to be officers of the State Department acting as specialists within the United States Foreign Service . The RSO is also the senior law enforcement representative at a U.S. Embassy.
8-555: Working under the dual supervision of the chief of mission (ambassador) and the Diplomatic Security Service, the RSO ensures that all mandated security programs are carried out. The word "regional" derives from a historical shortage of agents, leading to many embassies with no resident DSS agent; often an RSO would have to oversee security at several embassies and consulates. Since virtually each embassy now has an RSO,
16-434: A consul-general . Depending on the context, it may also refer to the heads of certain international organizations ' representative offices. Certain other titles or usages that would qualify as a head of mission or equivalent also exist. While they are primarily referred to by the other titles mentioned above, it is common for the diplomatic corps of a country to use deputy head of mission or deputy chief of mission (DCM) as
24-545: A surveillance detection unit (with a mission of detecting hostile surveillance), security engineering officers, security technical specialists, as well as Navy Seabees assigned to post. The RSO is in charge of security for all Americans assigned to an embassy (or on temporary duty to Post) that come under the authority of the Chief of Mission. The RSO's responsibility for security relates to personnel, information, physical security of embassy buildings and residences, as well as
32-544: The DSS in tracking international fugitives was highlighted in the movies Fast Five and Fast & Furious 6 . Head of mission In diplomatic usage, head of mission ( HOM ) or chief of mission ( COM ) from the French "chef de mission diplomatique" (CMD) is the head of a diplomatic representation, such as an ambassador , high commissioner , nuncio , chargé d'affaires , permanent representative , and sometimes to
40-423: The ambassador is apprised of all significant law enforcement activity at post. Since the Diplomatic Security Service is the most widely represented law enforcement organization in the world, its capability to track and capture fugitives who have fled U.S. jurisdiction to avoid prosecution is unmatched. During 2009, the DSS assisted in the resolution of 136 international fugitive cases around the globe. The role of
48-609: The conduct of criminal investigations, particularly those involving passport and visa fraud. At larger embassies having other law enforcement agencies in addition to the Diplomatic Security Service, the RSO chairs a law enforcement working group as the Ambassador's main law enforcement and security attaché/advisor. This group is composed of all other U.S. law enforcement agencies that may be represented at an embassy such as ICE/HSI, CBP, FBI/LEGAT (legal attaché), U.S. Secret Service, NCIS, AFOSI and others. The working group ensures that
56-467: The primary title for the second in command of a diplomatic mission. In diplomatic missions and foreign services where ambassadors may be political appointees rather than career diplomats, the deputy chief of mission may be the senior career foreign service professional and generally understood to be more than a "deputy." Heads of offices of international organizations below this diplomatic rank who are that organization's senior official in country, such as
64-541: The term is largely anachronistic. In some cases, an RSO may regionally oversee security at consulates and other U.S. presence facilities from an embassy within a country. At an embassy, the RSO reports directly to the deputy chief of mission, who in turn reports directly to the ambassador. Under the RSO's direct supervision are the following groups: U.S. Marine security guards , assistant RSOs, local guards, foreign service national (FSN) investigators, an office management specialist and other secretarial and staff assistants,
#909090