Last month, 20 foreign diplomats from consular offices in Atlanta and Miami attended the Consulate Security Working Group (CSWG) “Experience Florida” event in Vero Beach, Florida. The event was an opportunity for foreign diplomats to learn about U.S. law enforcement and judicial processes, as well as local trade and commerce. The program also provided an opportunity for consulate representatives to experience life in a small Florida town outside the greater Miami area.
The CSWG, hosted by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Office of Foreign Missions, brought the attendees together with local, state, and federal law enforcement officials from Miami to discuss issues of mutual interest and establish sustainable relationships to further strengthen bonds domestically and abroad.
“We’ve hosted three smaller CSWG gatherings in Miami over the course of the last year, and we realized many of the attendees rarely had a chance to visit some of the smaller towns” said Jim Eisenhut the Diplomatic Security Service Miami Field Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge. “The ‘Experience Florida’ event gave us the opportunity to give our guests insight into American life outside of the big cities.”
During the event, visitors met with the representatives from U.S. Attorney’s office, local law enforcement, Chamber of Commerce, lawmakers, educators, and local business owners. Over the three days, the attendees toured various sites, including historic “Dodgertown,” a sports facility where the Dodgers baseball team once held spring training; a private school that host a large number of international students; local county offices; and a private aircraft manufacturing facility.
A select group of representatives were also invited to participate in a panel discussion entitled “Fostering International Understanding,” where they shared their perspectives about life in the diplomatic service.
“Much of our diplomacy relies on the relationships we build and maintain here in the U.S.,” said Ambassador Gentry O. Smith, Director, Office of Foreign Missions. “We hope this event will help shape not only the experience of those foreign diplomats working here, but also those U.S. Foreign Service personnel serving abroad."
A highlight of the visit included a visit to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office where the attendees met with the local sheriff and toured the state-of-the-art Forensic Services Unit. Attendees learned about community policing capabilities and local efforts to prevent crime, treat mental illness, and reduce recidivism rates.
“With all of our federal, state and municipal law enforcement agencies, the U.S. operates differently from many countries — many of which have solely a national police force,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Domestic Operations John Eustace. “The Diplomatic Security Service works closely with the Office of Foreign Missions to ensure the [international partners] consular staff are well informed of issues relating to local law enforcement, and it was our goal with this working group to give them some additional local knowledge to help them with their roles.”
Through these types of whole-of-government and multi-sectoral programs, the United States and these diplomatic partners are better able to serve the needs those in need of their citizens.
About the Author: Dayna Rowden serves as Public Affairs Officer in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
For more information:
- Visit the Office of Foreign Missions website.
- Read the DipNote post about OFM’s Greening Initiative.
- Check out OFM’s Facebook page.
