Regional Security Officer

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Regional Security Officer is the title given to DS Special Agents serving overseas as the head of security at an American Embassy. Often this title is shortened to "RSO". The RSO, as part of the Diplomatic Security Service and the State Department, ensures that all mandated security programs are carried out. The word 'regional' is used because in the past quite a few U.S. Embassies had no resident DS agent, but had a DS agent resident in an adjacent country who would make periodic visits. Now there is almost a universal DS presence in all American Embassies, making the word 'regional' somewhat anachronistic.

The RSO reports directly to the Deputy Chief of Mission DCM, who in turn reports directly to the Ambassador. Under the RSO are the following: Marine Security Guard Detachment, Assistant RSOs (ARSOs), Local Guards, FSNIs (Foreign Service National Investigators), and often an Office Management Specialist (OMS) and other secretarial and staff assistants. The Surveillance Detection Unit (SDU) also reports to the RSO. The RSO may also manage the SEO (Security Engineering Officer), as well as a Seabee assigned to Post.

The RSO is in charge of security for all Americans officially assigned to Post, or on official TDY status to Post, that come under Chief of Mission authority (i.e. the Ambassador). The RSO's responsibility for security relates to personnel, information, physical security of Embassy buildings and residences, as well as the conduct of criminal investigations, particularly those involving passport and visa fraud. The RSO, as the Ambassador's security advisor, chairs a law enforcement working group at an Embassy. This working group is comprised of all other U.S. law enforcement agencies represented at an Embassy, ensuring that the Ambassador is apprised of all significant U.S. law enforcement activity at Post.