DOMESTIC FIELD OFFICE PROGRAM
(CT:DS-424; 04-17-2024)
(Office of Origin: DS/DO/FLD)
12 FAM 241 SCOPE AND AUTHORITY
(CT:DS-424; 04-17-2024)
a. The director of DS/DO/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.
12 FAM 242 RESPONSIBILITIES
(CT: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 Criminal Investigations
(CT:DS-424; 04-17-2024)
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/INV/CR or the Office of the Inspector General (OIG/INV) through DS/INV/CR may assign field and resident offices to conduct investigations relating to counterterrorism, employee misconduct, and munitions control.
12 FAM 242.2 Protection of Dignitaries and Missions
(CT:DS-424; 04-17-2024)
As designated by the Office of Protection (DS/D0/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 242.3 Protective Liaison with Foreign Diplomatic Missions
(CT:DS-424; 04-17-2024)
Field offices maintain liaison with the foreign diplomatic missions in their districts. Under the guidance of DS/DO/P, field offices advise and assist foreign diplomatic officials on handling security threats and other security and law enforcement related issues.
12 FAM 242.4 Liaison with Local and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
(CT:DS-424; 04-17-2024)
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 242.5 Liaison with U.S. Business Community
(CT:DS-424; 04-17-2024)
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 242.6 Temporary Personnel Support for Overseas Security Programs
(CT:DS-424; 04-17-2024)
Field and resident office personnel may serve as temporary support and/or replacement of regional security officers. The Office of Field Office Management (DS/DO/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/DO/FLD may also require field office personnel to travel overseas and assist RSOs on an extraordinary basis as in the case of significant security emergencies. Detailed personnel may provide special expertise or enlarge the complement of regional 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