The special agent badge of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) has an intriguing history that spans over a century since it was first introduced in 1916. Originally created by Tiffany’s in New York, the inaugural badge was made of silver and represented the State Department’s Office of Security, which later transformed into the Diplomatic Security Service. Over the years, the badge went through several changes to keep up with the evolving nature of the DSS.
The reasons behind the modifications made to the badge’s shape and color during its early days remain somewhat mysterious. However, in 1996, an important milestone occurred when Director Greg Bujac decided to add the words “Diplomatic Security Service” to the badge. This change was not only a response to the agency’s name change but also a necessity brought about by the largest recruitment expansion in DSS history. With the arrival of several hundred new agents between 1997 and 1998, hundreds of new badges needed to be produced, leading to the creation of the updated DSS badge.
About a decade later, in 2011, the DSS badge gained unexpected attention when actor Dwayne Johnson portrayed DSS Special Agent Luke Hobbs in the movie “Fast Five” from the Fast and Furious franchise. This sudden visibility resulted in an increase in counterfeit reproductions of the DSS badge. Capitalizing on this opportunity, DS senior leadership explored new security features and sought input from DS agents to come up with fresh design ideas. As a result, in September 2019, then-DSS Director Todd Brown initiated the development of a new badge that combined state-of-the-art security technology with elements inspired by the original 1916 badge.
In 2022, during their duty of protecting foreign dignitaries at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), DSS special agents received an additional credential. Instead of their regular badge, agents proudly wore the “Diplomatic Security Commemorative Badge” for specific periods, including UNGA, the Olympics, and other special events where DSS agents provide protection to dignitaries and participants. This unique badge, reminiscent of the original silver badge from 1916, is a permanent special badge that symbolizes the importance of these distinguished occasions.
The journey of the DSS special agent badge has been a remarkable one, evolving from its humble beginnings as a silver badge created by Tiffany’s to its current form, incorporating advanced security technology. Through its changes, the badge reflects the rich history and progress of the Diplomatic Security Service.