Supreme Court Police

Supreme Court of the United States Police
Agency overview
Formed 1949
Employees 145
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agency USA
Operations jurisdiction USA
Governing body Marshal of the United States Supreme Court
General nature • Federal law enforcement
Headquarters Washington, D.C

Sworn members 145[1]

The Supreme Court of the United States Police is a small U.S. federal law enforcement agency headquartered in the District of Columbia, whose mission is to ensure the integrity of the constitutional mission of the U.S. Supreme Court by protecting the Supreme Court building, the Justices, employees, guests, and visitors.[1] In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 672, the Supreme Court Police falls under the jurisdiction of the Marshal of the United States Supreme Court who is appointed by the Supreme Court. The Marshal and the Supreme Court Police are authorized by 40 U.S.C. § 6121 to police the Supreme Court Building and protect the Justices, employees of the Court, and visitors to the Court.

Established in 1935, the Supreme Court security force was tasked to provide protection for the Supreme Court building. The Court had previously resided in the United States Capitol, and the original force of 33 officers were selected from the ranks of the United States Capitol Police.

Currently, the Supreme Court Police are responsible for protecting the Chief Justice, Associate Justices, building occupants, and the Court's historic building and grounds. Additional responsibilities include courtroom security, dignitary protection, emergency response, and providing assistance to building visitors.[1]

Units of the Supreme Court Police include:

  • Uniformed Services
  • Protective Services
  • Threat Assessment Unit
  • Background Investigation Unit
  • Honor Guard
  • Key Response Squad
  • HazMat/Bomb Response.
  • Canine Unit

Supreme Court officers are trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. They may retire at the age of 50 with 20 years of qualifying service, or at any age with 25 years of service. They are awarded "enhanced retirement benefits".[2]

An officer of the Supreme Court Police in March, 2012.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Koerner, Brendan I. (2004-05-03), "Who Protects David Souter?", Slate, retrieved 2007-04-27
  2. ↑ United States Office of Personnel Management, Federal Law Enforcement Pay and Benefits: Report to the Congress, 2004; pp. 2, 13.
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