Regional Security Officer

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Regional Security Officer (RSO) is the title given to Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agents serving overseas as the heads of security at an American Embassy. Working for the U.S. Department of State, RSOs are Foreign Service Officers working within the Foreign Service of the United States.

1 Authority & Responsibilities
2 1993 World Trade Center Bombing
3 See Also
4 References

[edit] Authority & Responsibilities

Working under the dual supervision of the Chief of Mission and DSS, the RSO ensures that all mandated security programs are carried out. The word regional is used because in the past, many U.S. Embassies had no resident DS Agent, but had a DS Agent Resident in an adjacent country who would make periodic visits to that Embassy. 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 RSOs direct supervision are the following groups: 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. Additionally, 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. 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.

[edit] 1993 World Trade Center Bombing

On February 7, 1995, Pakistani intelligence and DSS Special Agents Bill Miller and Jeff Reiner captured 1993 World Trade Center bombing mastermind Ramzi Yousef in Islamabad, Pakistan.

According to the book, Relentless Pursuit, Miller's first words upon identifying Yousef after identifying the surprised terrorist was, "Hey Ramzi, what's up?"