North Dakota's chief U.S. marshal cannot talk in detail about security procedures, but he believes his staff is doing a good job with the resources it has.

A report issued last week in Washington was critical of the Marshals Service nationwide in its work to protect the nation's 2,200 federal judges. The report said the Marshal's Service must work harder to assess threats and improve security.

North Dakota U.S. Marshal Dave Carpenter said the marshals' service has upgraded security and the process continues.

"Just the judicial system as a whole, that's a mountain of work to do. That's kind of a task you can never accomplish," Carpenter said. "You try to strengthen the weakest links as much as you can."

Carpenter said the North Dakota marshal service staff includes two deputies in Grand Forks, two in Minot, four in Bismarck and six in Fargo, including a court security inspector. The deputies may be transferred to duty around the country if needed.

Money will always be short, Carpenter said.

"I think we're doing a very good job with the assets that we have," he said.

-Associated Press