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Tactical Operations

The Tactical Operations Division (TOD) was established to meet the challenges of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) in the 21st Century.

The Tactical Operations Division (TOD) is committed to leading the way in crisis response, organizational sustainability, and outstanding tactical operations in the face of law enforcement and natural disaster challenges that confront the United States.

Male and female US Marshals team

Program Overview

The Tactical Operations Division (TOD) directs, coordinates, manages, and supports the following Marshals Service entities: the Special Operations Group (SOG); Office of Emergency Management (OEM); Office of Resource Management (ORM); Strategic National Stockpile Security Operations (SNSSO); Office of Crisis Services (OCS); Office of Security Programs (OSP); Office of Strategic Technology (OST); and Business Integration Center (BIC).

The Division serves as a point of contact between the Office of the Director, Districts, Headquarters Divisions and other Agencies to coordinate and implement operational matters when the U.S. Marshals Service Director authorizes a special law enforcement assignment or security mission, or when a crisis arises. It is Tactical Operations Division (TOD) that carries out the Director's orders.

Special Operations Group

Established in 1971, the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Special Operations Group (SOG) was formed as one of the first federal tactical units. Special Operations Group (SOG)is a flexible, modernized unit with a diverse skill set that conducts specialty operations in any environment and deploys to enhance the tactical capabilities of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Marshals Service both domestically and internationally. SOG's specialty operations span the range of federal law enforcement missions, such as supporting the apprehension of violent offenders, terrorist trials, high-threat prisoner movements, witness security operations, national emergencies, civil disorder, protection of at-risk health facilities and personnel, large scale seizures, actions against anti-government and militia groups, international stability and reconstruction efforts, and other missions as ordered by the U.S. Attorney General.

The Special Operations Group Tactical Center (SOGTC) is located in Pineville, LA. A full-time cadre of Special Operations Group personnel are assigned to SOGTC, as well as Springfield, VA.

Mission Statement

The Special Operations Group (SOG) is a specially-trained, rapidly-deployable law enforcement element of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), capable of conducting complex and sensitive operations throughout the globe to further the rule of law. The Special Operations Group leverages these enhanced capabilities in support of the Marshals Service mission and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to protect, defend, and enforce the federal judicial system.

Office of Emergency Management

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is the primary point of contact for sensitive and classified missions involving homeland security, national emergencies, domestic crises, and the intelligence community. OEM has oversight for the following programs: the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Communications Center (COMM CTR); Emergency Operations Center (EOC); Emergency Support Function 13 (ESF-13); Explosive Detection Canine Program (EK9); Tactical Canine Program (TK9); Operational Medical Support Unit (OMSU); Incident Management Teams (IMT); and National Continuity Programs (NCP).

Through resource and information sharing, these programs work together to ensure the effective planning and security of critical governmental programs and personnel. The Office of Emergency Management utilizes a national network of personnel to manage these programs and, when needed, temporarily assigns Deputy U.S. Marshals to assist Districts' permanently-assigned Deputies in carrying out their missions.

Office of Resource Management

The Office of Resource Management (ORM) serves as the lead office within the Tactical Operations Division (TOD) for financial, human resources, procurement, and management. ORM serves as the liaison between TOD and other U.S. Marshals Service professional Divisions such as the Human Resources Division (HRD), Financial Service Division (FSD), and Management Support Division's (MSD).

The Office of Resource Management provides oversight and compliance for annual and bi-annual requirements, and coordinates training request approvals, annual training and certification requirements, IT service contracts, and some property management on behalf of Tactical Operations Division (TOD). ORM is a full-service administrative, financial, and human resources professional support office for Tactical Operations Division (TOD).

Strategic National Stockpile Security Operations

The Strategic National Stockpile Security Operations (SNSSO) program is an All-Hazards unit that protects the Nation's medical countermeasures (MCM) both while in storage and in transit. Through a Memorandum of Agreement between the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Strategic National Stockpile Security Operations ensures a nationwide framework exists for the secure delivery of critical medical countermeasures during national emergencies, natural events, or designated National Special Security Events.

Office of Crisis Services

The Office of Crisis Services (OCS) provides support to individuals affected by crisis or traumatic situations. OCS also provides resources for those employees who need assistance dealing with personal matters that can sometimes impact their lives. The Office of Crisis Services manages the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and the Employee Resiliency Program (ERP). Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is comprised of volunteer employees who are specially trained as Peers and certified in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). The Critical Incident Response Team members are available for immediate deployment in response to traumatic incidents.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP is a voluntary, confidential program that assists employees and family members working through various life challenges that may adversely affect job performance, health, and organizational productivity. The Employee Assistance Program provides assessment, short-term counseling, referrals, manager/supervisor consultation and coaching, as well as services to federal employees and their family members. The Employee Assistance Program services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Employee Resiliency Program (ERP)strives to increase awareness of mental health issues and suicide, instill resiliency, and expand upon resources available for United States Marshals Service (USMS) employees and their families. The Employee Resiliency Program (ERP)staff work to eliminate mental health stigmas and dispel myths surrounding asking for help, such as loss of a security clearance or the impact on promotions. Training courses provided are related to warning signs of mental crises, and preventative measures that would mitigate stress and ultimately lessen the number of suicides. 

The Employee Resiliency Program also oversees the U.S. Marshals Service Work Life Program, which offers extended educational services to individual United States Marshals Service employees and family members, covering matters such as college research, elder care and childcare advice, and health and wellness consultation.

Office of Security Programs

The Office of Security Programs (OSP) is responsible for the management and coordination of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) security programs and plans. OSP manages and implements the policies and guidelines for personnel security, document security, physical security, badges and credentials, personnel identity verification, occupant emergency program, communications security, and special deputations.

The designated USMS Security Programs Managers serve as liaisons with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department Security Officer (DSO), Security Emergency and Planning Staff (SEPS), Office of Information Safeguards and Security Oversight (OISSO), Litigation Security Group (LSG), Justice Security Operations Center (JSOC), and Personnel Security Group (PERSG).

The Personnel Security Branch (PSB) is responsible for the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Suitability and Security Program. PSB ensures that the United States Marshals Service (USMS) only employs individuals who are suitable for employment and grants national security clearances only to persons whose employment is consistent with national security interests.

The Personnel Security Branch also ensures contractors are fit to perform duties for, or on the behalf of, the United States Marshals Service. In addition, the Personnel Security Branch ensures due process is provided when a suitability action is taken or a clearance is denied, suspended, or revoked.

Office of Strategic Technology

The Office of Strategic Technology (OST) provides technical protective, wireless communications, and global readiness support to all United States Marshals Service (USMS) missions. The Technical Protective Operations (TPO) program employs state-of-the-art technology to enhance United States Marshals Service protective operations for individuals, locations, and sensitive or classified materials.

Technology employed includes tactical communications, video surveillance, GPS tracking, and other advanced technical tools. By leveraging this technology, the Office of Strategic Technology (OST) can provide protective details and operations with an additional layer of security through enhanced situational awareness.

The Global Threat Awareness Program (GTAP) is an integral component of Office of Strategic Technology, which trains and equips United States Marshals Service 1811s who conduct official government business outside of the United States. The Global Threat Awareness Program also provides guidance related to the preparation, planning, coordination, training, and recovery of United States Marshals Service personnel and their dependents that may become isolated during United States Government-sponsored activities outside of the United States.

The Tactical Operations Division Office of Strategic Technology has multiple vehicles available to support federal, state, and local law enforcement and emergency management operations worldwide. The USMS-equipped Mobile Command Vehicles (MCVs) are response vehicles that facilitate the U.S. Marshals Service ability to expand Command and Control capabilities to a remote location in national emergencies. Full interoperable communications are a standard for these U.S. Marshals Service Mobile Command Vehicles. The Mobile Command Vehicles are essentially an extension of the fixed base Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at U.S. Marshals Service Headquarters. The vehicles were built to be easily operated to allow for quick deployment with minimum personnel.

Business Integration Center

The Business Integration Center (BIC) translates the Agency's strategic goals and objectives into planning products which then drives Tactical Operations Division (TOD) performance and achievement of measurable results. This is accomplished by applying the knowledge and mastery of business process improvement, strategic planning, and project management in order to establish, sustain, and lead a continuous improvement-oriented environment within Tactical Operations Division.

The TOD Business Integration Center process approach is to develop models, perform trend analysis, use mathematical formulations, study performance metrics, and prepare data-based presentations. The unit interfaces horizontally and vertically across the division by connecting functions performed at the agency level with the support and capability of these same functions at the division level. The Tactical Operations Division Quarterly Progress Reviews (QPRs) are also facilitated by the Business Integration Center. They division leadership each quarter on division performance, external and internal measures, and strategic projects.

Did You Know?

  • The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) responded to 187 incidents in fiscal year (FY) 2022.

  • The Special Operations Group (SOG) dedicated 8,271 hours to high-level threat and emergency situations in fiscal year (FY) 2022.

  • 1,418 missions utilized canine (K9) support in fiscal year (FY) 2022.

  • Incident Management Team (IMT) completed 7 missions over 114 days in fiscal year (FY) 2022.

Did you know that …

Tactical Operation Division (TOD) plays a key role in COVID-19 related operations and vaccination efforts.

In response to the interdepartmental request and the Attorney General Order placed on January 28, 2020, regarding the fast-spreading coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Tactical Operations Division engaged in supporting quarantine orders for the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) and the Strategic National Stockpile Security Operations (SNSSO). During the months of January and February of 2020, the U.S. government repatriated 808 U.S. citizens, residents, and their families from Hubei Province, China, and the repatriation of 329 U.S. citizens or residents from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship. After arriving in the United States, the repatriated travelers were quarantined on five separate military installations where the Tactical Operations Division Strategic National Stockpile Security Operations enforced the quarantine and isolation orders by staffing 24-hour posts along the perimeter of installed fencing, ensuring ingress/egress of only authorized personnel, and providing security at those locations.

This was not a traditional Tactical Operations Division mission nor considered a traditional United States Marshals Service traumatic event. However, being named the lead security agency for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response, the Tactical Operations Division reacted with a multifaceted approach. Within hours the Incident Management Team (IMT) was activated, and within 24 hours team members were en-route to all locations to support the Tactical Operations Division Strategic National Stockpile Security Operations. The Incident Management Team coordinated the comprehensive logistics plans, management, and sustainment of 250 Deputy U.S. Marshals, resources and assets assigned to the mission.

Today, Tactical Operations Division is working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide security for COVID-19 vaccines from the facilities where they are manufactured to distribution sites.

For general inquiries, please call (202) 307-9100.