AdamSelene
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<TABLE cols=2 width=700 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=700 colSpan=2><CENTER>[size=+2]U.S. Diplomatic Security agents get a boost in their official powers[/size]</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=350><CENTER>Special to A.M. Costa Rica</CENTER>
U.S. Diplomatic Security agents are now full-fledged federal law enforcement officers.
An amendment to the State Department Basic Authorities Act expanded the law enforcement authorities of special agents of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
The new authorities, which became effective on April 6, allow Diplomatic Security special agents to:
• Obtain and execute subpoenas, summonses, and search and arrest warrants for any federal offense;
• Make an arrest without a warrant for any federal offense committed in a special agent's presence or for any federal felony if an agent has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested is committing or has committed such felony.
The guidelines impose reasonable limitations, including a requirement that a warrant be obtained when the need to make an arrest is reasonably foreseeable, said the State Department in a release. "This is a great day for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security," said Joe D. Morton, acting assistant secretary
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width=350>for diplomatic security. "These new authorities enhance the ability of our special agents to conduct effective criminal investigations, secure U.S. borders, and protect the American people from the threat of terrorism."
Diplomatic Security is the worldwide law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State with special agents assigned to U.S. diplomatic missions overseas and field offices throughout the United States. Diplomatic Security special agents conduct passport and visa fraud investigations worldwide and are responsible for security at 285 U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world.
Lately they have been involved in enforcing U.S. laws against citizens traveling overseas for sexual liaisons with minors. In the past, the authority of Diplomatic Security special agents was limited to the areas under the statutory authority, including identification fraud, offenses committed against U.S. or foreign dignitaries under their protection or foreign diplomats in the United States, said a spokesperson. As a result of the change, Diplomatic Security special agents now have the same law enforcement authorities as special agents and federal law enforcement officers at other government agencies.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
U.S. Diplomatic Security agents are now full-fledged federal law enforcement officers.
An amendment to the State Department Basic Authorities Act expanded the law enforcement authorities of special agents of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
The new authorities, which became effective on April 6, allow Diplomatic Security special agents to:
• Obtain and execute subpoenas, summonses, and search and arrest warrants for any federal offense;
• Make an arrest without a warrant for any federal offense committed in a special agent's presence or for any federal felony if an agent has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested is committing or has committed such felony.
The guidelines impose reasonable limitations, including a requirement that a warrant be obtained when the need to make an arrest is reasonably foreseeable, said the State Department in a release. "This is a great day for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security," said Joe D. Morton, acting assistant secretary
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width=350>for diplomatic security. "These new authorities enhance the ability of our special agents to conduct effective criminal investigations, secure U.S. borders, and protect the American people from the threat of terrorism."
Diplomatic Security is the worldwide law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State with special agents assigned to U.S. diplomatic missions overseas and field offices throughout the United States. Diplomatic Security special agents conduct passport and visa fraud investigations worldwide and are responsible for security at 285 U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world.
Lately they have been involved in enforcing U.S. laws against citizens traveling overseas for sexual liaisons with minors. In the past, the authority of Diplomatic Security special agents was limited to the areas under the statutory authority, including identification fraud, offenses committed against U.S. or foreign dignitaries under their protection or foreign diplomats in the United States, said a spokesperson. As a result of the change, Diplomatic Security special agents now have the same law enforcement authorities as special agents and federal law enforcement officers at other government agencies.
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