Today's global challenges are dramatically different than they were just a few years ago. 21^st Century diplomacy, new administration policies and global security efforts all bring renewed scrutiny to State Department and USAID employees.

Whether you are a Foreign Service Officer (FSO), in the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) or a career civil servant, affordable liability insurance is available to protect your career and financial security. For Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) coverage effective immediately, buy now.

There are three areas of exposure that a professional liability policy responds to: civil lawsuits, administrative and disciplinary matters, and criminal investigations. For instance, PLI becomes necessary when an employee / officer:

• is sued personally for a job-related action (i.e., Bivens action);
• becomes involved in a misconduct or administrative matter/investigation for a job related action, a judicial proceeding; or
• is subject to a criminal investigation for a job-related action.

FSO's, and other State Department employees working in CONUS or abroad are most at risk for administrative and disciplinary matters. This can be in the form of:

• an OIG, DSS or USAID Office of Security investigation/complaint;
• a complaint from the public or host Country;
• an allegation of wrongdoing or management inquiry;
• any disciplinary action (i.e., reprimand, suspensions or removals from federal or the Foreign Service); or
• a whistleblower or ethics complaint.

It is particularly important for FSO's, State and USAID employees to compare PLI providers to ensure that coverage is available for OIG and/or DSS investigations, as well as disciplinary actions that are held in abeyance pending an FSGB appeal or other final action. The FEDS policy provides legal representation at these levels because representation is imperative in the early investigative stages.

Having an attorney experienced in federal personnel and employment law to advise you of your legal rights and obligations and also the parameters of the law under which you've been accused is imperative in the initial investigative stages. Access to an attorney would also:

• prepare and defend against inquiries/allegations;
• prepare and defend against any OIG or agency initiated investigation process;
• attend the investigative interview with you; and
• defend you in any resulting disciplinary action (both at the agency level and at the MSPB).

For additional information on how FEDS protects FSO's, State and USAID employees in the event of the above instances, read Civil Exposures, Administrative Exposures and Criminal Exposures.

Federal officers exposure to civil lawsuits is the very reason that the DOJ and several federal employee associations collaborated over 20 years ago to create the concept of PLI for federal employees. They wanted to protect federal employees and allow affordable legal representation and indemnity protection for those circumstances in which federal employees were held personally liable and had to provide their own defense - even though they were within their scope of employment or rendering a professional federal service.

This is also the very reason that Congress enacted special legislation requiring agencies to reimburse all law enforcement officers up to ½ of the cost of professional liability insurance. This congressional action clearly demonstrates Congress’ official support and belief that federal officers have a sense of security while making the tough decisions that are part of the job. With annual costs at $270 and a net cost of only $135 a year after reimbursement for our minimum coverage limit, there is no reason for federal law enforcement officers not to have career and financial security protections in place.

FEDS continually works with many law enforcement and intelligence communities and associations to ensure that we provide the protection State Department employees and FSO's need to do their jobs. Please read what these associations and other industry leaders have to say about professional protection and why they recommend FEDS.

FEDS founder, a former employee of a federal law enforcement agency, has successfully defended federal employees in private practice and encourages all federal employees to be as informed as possible about the benefits of having PLI protection in place. Read more about how and why FEDS got started here. And if you can't find answers to your questions in Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's), please call us at 301-229-2481.