The secret service of the State Department is a unique hybrid
In short: Most federal agents belong to the civil service. But the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agents are different. They are dual-hatted: they are both law enforcement officers with the power to arrest and carry firearms, and members of the Foreign Service, mandated to serve multiple-year tours abroad.
The DSS is the primary law enforcement agency for the U.S. Department of State, tasked with protecting diplomatic assets, personnel, and information. While it is famous for high-profile protection—including the U.S. Secretary of State and the Ambassador to the UN—it is also a full-fledged investigative body. It combats transnational crimes like visa and passport fraud, conducts counterterrorism and counterintelligence operations, and investigates international human trafficking.
The agency's origins are rooted in the First World War. In 1916, Secretary of State Robert Lansing created the Bureau of Secret Intelligence, dubbed the "Secret Service of the Department of State," to combat espionage and forged identity papers used by German and Austrian spies. This small force, initially composed of agents from the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, set the precedent for the agency's dual role in intelligence and security.
In 1985, the contemporary DSS was officially founded after the 1983 explosions hit the U.S. diplomatic building and Marine quarters located within Beirut, Lebanon. Since then, it has become the most widely deployed U.S. law enforcement agency abroad, protecting 275 missions in over 170 countries. A unique structural nuance exists: while the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) oversees all security matters and employs roughly 40,000 people, the DSS is the specific federal law enforcement arm, employing about 2,500 Foreign Service specialists.
The chain of command is also distinct. Unlike many federal agencies, DSS agents at embassies are often evaluated by the host country's leadership (the Deputy Chief of Mission and the Ambassador) rather than their own agency hierarchy. This ensures that security operations remain integrated with the diplomatic goals of the specific mission.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Diplomatic Security Service
- Also: find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk — DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SERVICE LTD overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK
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