Coast Guard Investigative Service

The United States Coast Guard Criminal Investigative Service (CGIS) is authorized by Title 14 of the United States Code to enforce laws and conduct investigations. More specifically, the CGIS has been tasked with conducting the Coast Guard's internal and external investigations. Agents of the CGIS are authorized to carry weapons, serve warrants, and make arrests. It is also the responsibility of the CGIS to protect high ranking Coast Guard members and any distinguished visitors placed under their protection.

Today's CGIS is relatively small when compared with other federal investigative service branches. Approximately 90 military and civilian special agents are employed by the agency with approximately 150 special agents holding positions within the Coast Guard reserves. Seven regional command areas are each headed by one special agent in charge, who reports to the deputy director of CGIS. The deputy director reports to the director of the CGIS who will report to either the Assistant Commandant of Operations or the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard.

Historically, CGIS began as a function of the Coast Guard's intelligence section. It was not until 1986 that the intelligence and investigations duties were split into two separate specialties. Prior to the split, Coast Guard members were generally tasked with various duties and responsibilities which have included alcohol interdiction during the prohibition era and drug interdiction during the 1960's and 1970's. Before the CGIS was established, Coast Guard Intelligence agents worked closely with their counterparts in other federal law enforcement agencies to accomplish those interdiction / anti-smuggling missions.

Currently, the CGIS investigates matters relating to violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), maritime alien smuggling, maritime drug smuggling, crimes against the environment, and other U.S. Code violations which occur under the maritime jurisdiction of the UCMJ. Aside from their primary duties and responsibilities, the CGIS also acts assists other federal agencies and attorneys of the Department of Justice. Members of the CGIS serve on various task forces to include the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Multi-Agency Anti-Drug Task Force operated by the Department of Justice. Other members of the CGIS act as liaisons for the International Police (INTERPOL) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Newly recruited CGIS agents will attend training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia prior to receiving fully Special Agent status. The Coast Guard also requires that agents of the CGIS meet the standards of the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency.

Sources:

Coast Guard Investigative Service Organization. United States Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Investigative Service History. United States Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Investigative Service Personnel. United States Coast Guard.