DOD ESTABLISHES PENTAGON FORCE PROTECTION AGENCY
May 09, 2002

The Department of Defense announced today the establishment of a new defense agency, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, to provide an improved force protection structure and response capability at the Pentagon and in the national capital region.

The mission of the new agency is to provide force protection, security, and law enforcement for the people, facilities, infrastructure, and other resources at the Pentagon and for DoD activities and DoD-occupied facilities within the national capital region not under the jurisdiction of a military department.

The new agency is being established in response to the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and subsequent terrorist threats facing the DoD workforce and facilities in this area. The agency will allow DoD to take appropriate measures to address the full spectrum of these threats by using a robust strategy of prevention, preparedness, detection and response.

The agency will include all functions currently performed by the Defense Protective Service as well as expanded force protection, security, and law enforcement functions. In addition, with the newly created agency, operations related to protection against chemical, biological and radiological agents will be enhanced. Consistent with national combating terrorism efforts, the agency will pursue new initiatives as required to ensure that the DoD workforce and facilities in the national capital region are secure and protected.

John Jester, currently chief of the Defense Protective Service, has been named acting director of the agency. He reports to David O. Cooke, director, Administration and Management, Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Additional details about the agency and its mission, organization and responsibilities are included in DoD Directive 5105.68, available on the Web at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2002/d20020509fpa.pdf.