The Office of the United States Marshal was created on September 24, 1789, with the passage of the Judiciary Act by Congress. The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) was established in 1969 to provide guidance and assistance to U.S. Marshals throughout the nation. The USMS is a bureau within the Department of Justice and receives direction from the Attorney General through the Director, USMS.
The U.S. Marshals Service has served the country since 1789, often in unseen but critical ways. The Marshals Service occupies a uniquely central position in the federal justice system. It is the enforcement arm of the federal courts, involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative. Deputy U.S. marshals and criminal investigators form the backbone of the agency. Among their many duties, they protect the federal judiciary, apprehend federal fugitives, seize property acquired by criminals through illegal activities, house and transport federal prisoners and operate the Witness Security Program.
Office of the Director and Deputy Director
- Provide vision, direction and leadership for the U. S. Marshal Service.
- Establish the core values, policy and procedures for the agency.
- Set goals and oversee the operations, activities and performance of the agency.
- Ensure the equal employment opportunity of all employees.
- Provide legal counsel and services in support of agency missions and personnel.
- Manage the Freedom of Information Act Program.
Office of Communications
- Liaise, communicate, coordinate and interact with Congress, state, tribal, city, and county governments, other federal agencies, USMS employees, media and the general public on the U. S. Marshals missions and successes.
Office of Inspection
- Ensure all complaints or allegations of misconduct are processed in compliance with the Department of Justice.
- Conduct periodic compliance reviews to ensure conformance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, while identifying weaknesses and making applicable recommendations.
- Provide advice and guidance on addressing matters of employee misconduct.
- Provide subject matter expertise to management related to misconduct offenses and proper resolution.
Judicial Security Division
- Ensure the safe and secure conduct of judicial proceedings and protection of federal judges, jurors and other members of the federal judiciary.
- Anticipate and deter threats to the judiciary.
- Manage, collect, analyze and disseminate intelligence in the form of information bulletins, alert notices, protective intelligence briefs, threat assessments and foreign travel briefings.
Investigative Operations Division
- Provide support to both district and regional task forces to assist in the capture of state, local and federal felony fugitives.
- Participate in federal task forces such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program and other related task force operations.
- Process, review, and coordinate the pursuit and apprehension of international fugitives and foreign fugitives.
- Manage the U.S. Marshal 15 Most Wanted program.
- Provide investigative and intelligence support through the Financial Surveillance Unit, Criminal Intelligence Branch, Sex Offender Investigations Branch and the Technical Operations Branch.
- Provide support for the districts to help identify, target, investigate and prosecute non-compliant sex offenders of the Adam Walsh Act.
Witness Security Division
- Ensure the safety of protected witnesses and their families by providing safe and secure housing and transportation of witnesses while in the program.
- Provide 24-hour protection to all witnesses while they are in designated danger areas for the purposes of testimony and court related appearances.
Justice Prisoner & Alien Transportation System
- Provide scheduling and safe transportation of federal, state, local prisoners and aliens in the care and custody of the U S Marshal Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons or other federal agencies.
Tactical Operations Division
- Manage and respond to national emergencies and crises involving homeland security.
- Provide support to individuals affected by crisis or traumatic situations.
- Provide technical protective support and wireless communications support to USMS missions.
- Direct, coordinate and manage the Special Operations Group, Explosive Detection Canine Program and the 24-hour Communications Center..
Prisoner Operations Division
- Manage and oversee all detention matters pertaining to individuals remanded to the custody of the Attorney General.
- Ensure the secure care and custody of these individuals through sustenance, secure lodging and transportation, evaluating conditions of confinement, providing medical care, and protecting their civil rights through the judicial process.
- Provide high quality, state-of-the-art law enforcement training.
- Provide guidelines concerning the development, review and implementation of U.S. Marshal training to include, basic, advanced, in-service and specialty disciplines.
Human Resources Division
- Determine the human resource needs of the agency.
- Manage the background investigation program.
- Recruit and employ a culturally diverse workforce.
- Provide for the health, safety, and well-being of the workforce.
- Provide for the career advancement, continuing education and skills development of the workforce.
- Promote union and employee participation in setting the goals, objectives, and business practices of the agency.
Information Technology Division
- Provide for the development of information systems, networks, automated data processing technology applications and set ADP standards.
- Provide network, computer, telephone and radio support services.
Management Support Division
- Manage policy and records management.
- Provide property management services, purchase and maintain vehicles and other equipment.
- Provide printing, mail and multimedia services.
Financial Services Division
- Monitor program plans and performance in coordination with Department of Justice.
- Prepare annual agency budget requests and monitor the expenditure of funds.
- Maintain the agency financial system and official financial records.
- Prepare the agency's annual financial statements and oversee the annual audit.
- Provide transactional accounting support and business expertise for procurement to District Offices.
- Provide quality business solutions while supporting acquisition reform and best practices.
Asset Forfeiture Division
- Seize, manage, and dispose of assets seized and forfeited by federal law enforcement agencies nationwide.
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