Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Supreme Court Police

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Formed
  
1949

Federal agency
  
United States

Employees
  
145

Legal personality
  
Governmental: Government agency

Governing body
  
Marshal of the United States Supreme Court

General nature
  
Federal law enforcement Civilian police

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. 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 is 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.

The Supreme Court Police derives its enforcement authority from 40 U.S.C. § 6121.

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".

    References

    Supreme Court Police Wikipedia