By Trish Svoboda

On February 13, Taekuk Cho, the acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Kansas City, presented the HSI KC office’s 2023 Agency Partnership Award to Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi. Mattivi accepted the award on behalf of the KBI, while Attorney General Kris Kobach received the award on behalf of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

Annually, HSI Kansas City recognizes an organization that promotes and facilitates collaboration between agencies. These efforts include successful negotiations and agreements with interagency partners, the development of interagency programs and initiatives to strengthen homeland security endeavors, offering manpower, technical guidance, assistance, and training to interagency partners, as well as supporting joint law enforcement endeavors aimed at enhancing homeland security efforts.

HSI serves as the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), tasked with investigating transnational crime and threats, particularly those perpetrated by criminal organizations exploiting the global infrastructure associated with international trade, travel, and finance. With a workforce exceeding 8,700 employees, including over 7,000 special agents stationed across 237 cities in the United States and 93 overseas locations spanning 56 countries, HSI plays a vital role in safeguarding national security.