Consular officers are consuls general, deputy consuls general, consuls and vice consuls. They are official representatives of foreign governments. Presently there are 80 career and honorary consular offices functioning in the County.
Consular officers are required to be treated with due respect and all appropriate steps are to be taken to prevent any attack on their persons, freedom, or dignity. Consular officers are entitled to limited immunities. Under prevailing international law and agreement, a foreign career consular officer is not liable to arrest or detention pending trial, except in the case of a grave crime (felony offense) and pursuant to a warrant.
Career consular officers can be identified by credentials issued by the United States (US) Department of State, by the Sheriff (as pictured below), or other official identification papers:
FRONT REVERSE
NOTE: It is not a requirement that any consular officer obtain a Sheriff’s Department Consular Identification card.
The pink-bordered US Department of State credential bears its seal, the name of the officer, their title, and the signature of the State Department official. This credential also states the bearer’s immunities, as pictured below: