Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA)

This final rule establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for DSCA, supplements regulations regarding military support for civilian law enforcement, and sets forth policy guidance for the execution and oversight of DSCA when requested by civil authorities and approved by the appropriate Department of Defense (DoD) authority, or as directed by the President, within the United States, including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any territory or possession of the United States or any political subdivision thereof. Legislative changes over the years have made the existing guidance outdated and inconsistent with current law and the current organizational structure of the Department of Defense. This final rule will facilitate civil authorities' access to the support they are seeking from the Department by establishing updated policy guidance and assigning the correct responsibilities within the Department for Defense Support of Civil Authorities in response to requests for assistance for domestic emergencies, designated law enforcement support, special events, and other domestic activities.