Regional Security Office (RSO)

The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security (DS) is a federal law enforcement agency with the mission of providing a safe and secure environment for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. All DSS agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers. 

Every diplomatic mission in the world operates under a security program designed and maintained by Diplomatic Security. In the United States, DS investigates passport and visa fraud, conducts personnel security investigations, and protects the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the U.S.

DS also trains foreign civilian law enforcement officers in disciplines designed to reduce the threat and repercussions of terrorism throughout the world.

Through the Office of Foreign Missions, the bureau manages reciprocity and immunity issues for foreign diplomats in the United States. DS's role evolves to meet new challenges. DS special agents are protecting the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, as well as training an Afghan force to take over the responsibility. The bureau is currently completing security measures for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and training assigned staff to live and work safely in Iraq.

Overseas Advisory Council (OSAC)

OSAC Mission is to provide an organization that interfaces with the U.S. Embassy and acquires security and safety information on issues important to American companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith based organizations and private U.S. citizens. DSS has a core responsibility for assisting the U.S. private sector with its security and informational needs overseas. The RSO is responsible for directly managing the program, developing private sector relationships, forming a country council and threat management. For more information please contact the RSO or check out the OSAC website at www.osac.gov.

Rewards for Justice (RFJ) Program

The Rewards for Justice Program is one of the most valuable assets the U.S. Government has in the fight against international terrorism. Established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism, P.L. 98-533, the program is administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Under this program, the Secretary of State may offer rewards of up to $5 million for information that prevents or favorably resolves acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide. Rewards also may be paid for information leading to the arrest or conviction of terrorists attempting, committing, conspiring to commit, or aiding and abetting in the commission of such acts. The Secretary of State has authorized a reward of up to $25 million for information leading to the capture of key Al-Qaida leaders.

Since the program began, the United States has paid over $60 million to more than 40 people who provided credible information that put terrorists behind bars or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide. The program played a significant role in the arrest of international terrorist Ramzi Yousef, who was convicted in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. It was most recently instrumental in leading U.S. military forces in Iraq to the location of Uday and Qusay Hussein.