chief of protocol

The chief of protocol (CoP) is a government official who heads the protocol department of a state, overseeing security, logistics and etiquette in diplomatic and national functions. A protocol department decides on diplomatic immunity and privileges, diplomatic host security, diplomatic use of airspace and it is the guardian of official etiquette. Advance protocol teams, usually headed by the chief of protocol, engage as first contact between governments for the planning of bilateral and multilateral summits and visits. Countries with a chief of protocol include: Chief of Protocol of the United States, an official at the U.S. State Department who welcomes visiting dignitaries to the U.S. and travels with the President to facilitate foreign trips. Introducer of Ambassadors, a senior diplom...