Supreme Court of the United States Police

About the Supreme Court of the United States Police

Mission Statement

The mission of the Supreme Court Police is to ensure the integrity of the Constitutional Mission of the Supreme Court of the United States, by protecting the Supreme Court, the Justices, employees, guests, and visitors.

Who We Are

The Supreme Court of the United States Police is a Federal law enforcement agency that derives its authority from United States Code 40 U.S.C. 6121. The Supreme Court Police enforce Federal and District of Columbia laws and regulations, as well as enforce regulations governing the Supreme Court Building and grounds prescribed by the Marshal and approved by the Chief Justice of the United States. The department’s mission is to ensure the integrity of the Constitutional Mission of the Supreme Court of the United States by protecting the Supreme Court, the Justices, employees, guests, and visitors.

The Supreme Court Police are responsible for providing a full range of police services, to include:
•Protection of the Supreme Court Building and grounds, and persons and property therein;
•Dignitary Protection for the Supreme Court Justices, both domestically and internationally;
•Maintain suitable order and decorum within the Supreme Court Building and grounds, to include policing demonstrations and large-scale events;
•Provide Courtroom security;
•Prepare numerous reports to include incident, found property, accident, and arrest reports, as well as testify in court.

History

In 1932, a small group of officers from the United States Capitol Police were selected to protect the construction site of the new Supreme Court Building. Prior to construction, the Supreme Court was located in the United States Capitol Building. Upon completion of the Supreme Court Building, Congress authorized a separate Supreme Court Police Force.

Established in 1935, the Supreme Court of the United States Police were tasked to provide protection for the recently completed Supreme Court Building, the Justices, employees, guests and visitors.

The original force of 33 officers, led by Captain Philip H. Crook, were selected from the ranks of the United States Capitol Police Force. In order to give the force jurisdiction beyond the Supreme Court, the officers were commissioned as Special Police Officers by the District of Columbia. The power of arrest came with the appointment. Each officer was paid a salary of $1,350 per annum out of the appropriation for the construction of the building.