MS 130: Office of Safety and Security Organization, Mission, and Functions

Table of Contents

4.1  Office of Safety and Security

 

The Office of Safety and Security coordinates and promulgates all world wide Peace Corps Safety and Security policies save for Information Systems security which, by law, is the domain of the Chief Information Officer.  Through use of the Volunteer Safety Council, the Crime Statistics and Analysis Unit, and continuing consultation with appropriate federal agencies, Peace Corps regions, and the field, the Office institutes, reviews, refines and recommends security policy to the Director of the Peace Corps.  The Office also oversees and manages domestic emergency preparedness and physical security, information and personnel security, safety and security of Volunteers and staff overseas, and the collection and analysis of security statistics and trends, and other safety risks to Volunteers.

 

4.2  Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security Division

 

VSOS coordinates the Peace Corps' Volunteer safety and security efforts and directs the activities of nine Peace Corps Safety and Security Officers (PCSSOs). PCSSOs are assigned to sub-regions and provide support to Country Directors in all areas of safety and security.   

 

4.3  Information and Personnel Safety and Security Division

 

IPSS is responsible for managing the Agency's classified information holdings and conducting investigations for the purpose of making suitability and/or security clearance determinations.   

 

4.4  Emergency Preparedness, Plans, Training & Exercises Division

 

EPPTE's mission is to ensure that the Peace Corps successfully responds to domestic emergencies and the physical security of all domestic physical assets, which includes access control, surveillance, and alarm monitoring.  The office also maintains the Agency's occupant emergency and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans.

 

4.5 Crime Statistics and Analysis Unit

 

The Crime Statistics and Analysis Unit's mission is to accurately track crime statistics, identify trends in criminal activity, and highlight potential safety risks to Volunteers.  Specifically, the unit is responsible for management of data collection on crimes against Volunteers, statistical analysis of security trends for the Agency for purposes of policy recommendations, and oversight of the incident reporting process, including assuming responsibility for the annual Safety of the Volunteer publication beginning in 2004.

5.1  Associate Director for Safety and Security

 

The Associate Director for Safety and Security:

(a)  Makes proactive recommendations to the Director on Safety and Security matters;

 

(b)  Advises the Director and senior staff on matters related to the Agency's domestic and overseas safety and security activities;

 

(c)  Develops and implements Agency security policies, procedures, goals and objectives, formulated to maximize safe, secure and effective implementation of the Peace Corps' programs and operations;

 

(d)  Manages the Agency's information, personnel, physical, and overseas security; emergency preparedness; and analysis functions;

 

(e)  Provides technical and federal regulatory expertise and guidance on Agency security matters;

 

(f)  Directs the preparation of studies, critical reports and other requested Agency responses to directives, circulars, and Executive Orders received from other agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget, General Accounting Office, and Department of Homeland Security; and

 

(g)  Serves as Chairman of the Volunteer Safety Council, an inter-office working committee whose mission is to unite Agency leadership in supporting posts in fulfilling their responsibility for Volunteer safety.   

5.2  Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security Division

 

The Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security Division:

(a)  Coordinates with the regions to implement rational and practical solutions to safety and security problems that Volunteers face in the field;   

 

(b)  Ensures that staff and Volunteers are adequately trained in their safety and security responsibilities and are able to implement programs and operations safely and effectively; and  

 

(c)  Directs the activities of nine PCSSOs who are assigned to sub-regions and provide support to Country Directors in all areas of safety and security, including the following:

(1)  Conducting security assessments;

 

(2)  Reviewing safety training in Pre-Service and In-Service Training;

 

(3)  Training trainers and training managers;

 

(4)  Training Volunteer wardens, local guards, and staff;

 

(5)  Emergency Action Plan (EAP) review and testing;

 

(6)  Developing security incident response procedures;

 

(7)  Coordinating with Regional Security Officers;

 

(8)  Providing crisis management support; and

 

(9)  Collecting and disseminating best practices.

5.3  Information and Personnel Safety and Security Division

 

The Information and Personnel Safety and Security Division:

(a)  Directs the conduct of investigative activity for the purpose of determining suitability for federal employment, eligibility for unescorted access into Peace Corps space and, as appropriate, security clearance eligibility of all direct hire, contract, student/intern employees, or others recommended for access to classified information by Peace Corps; and  

 

(b)  Manages the Agency's classified information holdings and trains staff in the safeguarding, transmission, storing, and disposal of classified data.

5.4  Emergency Preparedness Plans, Training & Exercises Division

 

The Emergency Preparedness Plans, Training & Exercises Division: 

(a)  Coordinates and manages the Peace Corps' Continuity of Operations planning and exercises;

 

(b)  Provides the physical security of Peace Corps domestic facilities and assets, including controlling access to space, monitoring facility entrances for criminal activity, and facilitating the work of first response agencies in the event of an incident;

 

(c)  Oversees the Agency's guard force, card access control, key control, video surveillance system, building alarms, and interaction with law enforcement and fire response agencies; and    

 

(d)  Directs, plans, and implements the preparation and training for response to all emergencies affecting Peace Corps' domestic facilities and assets.

5.5  Crime Statistics and Analysis Unit

 

The Crime Statistics and Analysis Unit:

(a)  Manages data collection on crimes against Volunteers utilizing current technology and analyzes security trends to assist Agency leadership in policy making for purposes of increasing the safety and security of Volunteers; 

 

(b)  Tracks crime statistics (including generating quarterly and annual tables of crimes against Volunteers), identifies crime trends, and highlights potential safety risks to Volunteers for purposes of crime prevention; and

 

(c)  Oversees the incident reporting process and publication of the annual Safety of the Volunteer publication. The purpose of the Safety of the Volunteer is:

(1) to document and analyze trends in safety conditions among in-service Volunteers, and

 

(2) to provide feedback concerning these trends in a format that is useful for training and education of Volunteers and staff.  It includes detailed information on trends in assaults and petty crimes.