Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hey guys and gals

I'm currently a student planning to apply for the CSCEP in the Fall. I have just completed a regular college internship with the USMS and I'm very interested in pursuing a career as a Deputy Marshal. While I learned a good amount during my internship, I know it was just a grain of salt in relation to what I'm still yet to learn.

I'm starting this thread to see if anyone in this community would mind sharing personal experiences they had with the CSCEP. Anything you have to offer would be appreciated.


Thanks

Good luck with that!

I have been on the job for 15 years and couldn't even tell you what the CSCEP is. :)

I don't know if you were kidding or not but he is talking about being a Co-op.

I've seen plenty of co-ops come through (usually w/o a high opinion of most of them), but have no clue what the acronym stands for. I wasn't hired hired under any special initiative... any one could have applied. :)

I started where you did and I definitely know what you are talking about in some of those cases. I also came in off the test because I didn't know there was such thing as the Shining Star program. But the official name of the Co-op program is the Centralized Student Career Experience Program. I just recently found out what it was myself.

I've seen plenty of co-ops come through (usually w/o a high opinion of most of them), but have no clue what the acronym stands for. I wasn't hired hired under any special initiative... any one could have applied. :)

U.S. Marshals Service, Career Opportunities, Centralized Student Career Experience Program (http://www.justice.gov/marshals/careers/cscep.html)

Completion can lead to non-competitive hiring as a deputy U.S. Marshal.

I recall hearing something about ending some of these but it may have been transitions from temp to perm positions? I dunno.

I started where you did and I definitely know what you are talking about in some of those cases. I also came in off the test because I didn't know there was such thing as the Shining Star program. But the official name of the Co-op program is the Centralized Student Career Experience Program. I just recently found out what it was myself.
As noble as it sounds, I didn't care too much for Shining Star either. Most of them would still not be eligible under "open hiring", where you need a degree or 2.5 years of LE (not corrections or security). Most people hired under Shining Star had neither. We got great some great guys. I just hated the fact that we had former military guys, with degrees and SWAT experience, were currently on PDs, but could NOT even apply!



Completion can lead to non-competitive hiring as a deputy U.S. Marshal.

I recall hearing something about ending some of these but it may have been transitions from temp to perm positions? I dunno.
For all of those guys that can slide in through the back door, more power to you! Go for it. Most in the field are not a real fan of the products of this program. It is geared toward recruitment of specific portions of the general population. Also, when does selection through a non-competitive process result in getting the best people for a job... not just here, but ANYWHERE?!?!?!?!?!

Just my opinion.

I agree with the Shining Star statement too. This program also had its share of problems and/or products of this hiring initiative. I think that any hiring initiative aimed at just one segment of the population instead of a general public announcement is bound to have issues. I also had a degree and experience when I came on. I just wouldn't have had to wait for several years coming off the test had I slid in under the Shining Star umbrella.

I'm with you DntTrdOnMe, federal le is my goal and I'm interested in going through cscep too.

I was under the impression that it's difficult to get a cscep internship (making it "competitive" in that sense) so if you can make it through the process and keep grades/other requirements up, the deputy marshal position is waiting after graduation.

My school doesn't have a coop agreement with the marshals but I have knowledge of individuals who worked it out with the marshals on a case-by-case basis. I'm making some calls right now to see if I can be one of those cases.

I completely understand where you guys are coming from. If I were in your position I wouldn't have a favorable opinion of the program or those who come through it either. I'm aware there are many people out there who currently are much better suited to be hired on then myself and most college students (those with Mil. experience/LE experience combined with degrees). If I could I'd be an enlisted man right now, but I'm playing the hand I was dealt to the best of my ability.

I'm not looking for any shortcuts or silver spoons, but I know I'd be a fool not to take advantage of an opportunity like this. All I want is a chance to get my foot in the door so I can pay my dues and earn my way in. I know I have what it takes to run with the big dogs and I'm itching to prove it.

Good luck esl550, If you want it as bad as I do, don't give up until they close the door in your face and bolt lock it shut.

I completely understand where you guys are coming from. If I were in your position I wouldn't have a favorable opinion of the program or those who come through it either. I'm aware there are many people out there who currently are much better suited to be hired on then myself and most college students (those with Mil. experience/LE experience combined with degrees). If I could I'd be an enlisted man right now, but I'm playing the hand I was dealt to the best of my ability.

I'm not looking for any shortcuts or silver spoons, but I know I'd be a fool not to take advantage of an opportunity like this. All I want is a chance to get my foot in the door so I can pay my dues and earn my way in. I know I have what it takes to run with the big dogs and I'm itching to prove it.

Good luck esl550, If you want it as bad as I do, don't give up until they close the door in your face and bolt lock it shut.

Take it and run, man! You'd be a fool NOT to and no one is faulting you.

I should clarify something. Those of us on the street tend to have this opinion for ONE reason: While there are some decent co-op hires, they tend to be more of the exception than the rule. Get on and prove our generalization wrong!
:)

No one is faulting you for going after an opportunity in front of you. Definitely go for it! I want to go on record and say that I don't have a totally negative opinion of all Co-ops. Some of my good friends came from this program and they are squared away. However, its like anything else and it really depends on the individual. Good luck.

Its a golden ticket if you get into the SCEP, CCEP whatever. Just a word of caution.. all co op programs will be ending probably within the next couple of years, so try to get on board as soon as possible.

The new Pathways Program which will come about in the next year or so is a 2 year post graduate internship/probation period to help you get hired full time.

People that get into SCEP have a huge guarantee to get hired. Hiring freezes and lack of academy dates wont affect you. For instance, if you were in the CSEP for the marshals you'd be the first person to get the call before vets, college students and everyone.

Good luck

Take it and run, man! You'd be a fool NOT to and no one is faulting you.

I should clarify something. Those of us on the street tend to have this opinion for ONE reason: While there are some decent co-op hires, they tend to be more of the exception than the rule. Get on and prove our generalization wrong!
:)

Us hip people just say "Hate the game, not the playa' ".

Translation: 'playa' means 'beach' in English.

I completely understand where you guys are coming from. If I were in your position I wouldn't have a favorable opinion of the program or those who come through it either. I'm aware there are many people out there who currently are much better suited to be hired on then myself and most college students (those with Mil. experience/LE experience combined with degrees). If I could I'd be an enlisted man right now, but I'm playing the hand I was dealt to the best of my ability.

I'm not looking for any shortcuts or silver spoons, but I know I'd be a fool not to take advantage of an opportunity like this. All I want is a chance to get my foot in the door so I can pay my dues and earn my way in. I know I have what it takes to run with the big dogs and I'm itching to prove it.

Good luck esl550, If you want it as bad as I do, don't give up until they close the door in your face and bolt lock it shut.

A little bit of motivation always gets you a long ways :) you have the right attitude to be very successful.. good luck!

Thanks for the words guys. I know none of you guys are taking shots at me and I hear where your all coming from.


Its a golden ticket if you get into the SCEP, CCEP whatever. Just a word of caution.. all co op programs will be ending probably within the next couple of years, so try to get on board as soon as possible.

I appreciate the insight schoromanski, I will be applying in the fall and I believe it takes some time to go through the process before being accepted. Hopefully, if all goes to plan I will finish the program before they stop converting interns to full time deputies. If not I'm sure I'll be setting my sights on the Pathways Program.

Switchback, I hope one day I get the chance to prove the generalization wrong in person.

Got a question for you DntTrdOnMe: how'd you get the "regular" internship with the marshals? All I see on their website is the CSCEP one.

Switchback, I hope one day I get the chance to prove the generalization wrong in person.

Oooh. Swords or pistols?:lurk5::AR15firing::smash:

Got a question for you DntTrdOnMe: how'd you get the "regular" internship with the marshals? All I see on their website is the CSCEP one.

The regular college internship I did with them was just that, a college internship. Did not count for anything more then college credits, but it was a great way to gain some experience and knowledge into the everyday life of a deputy marshal. You don't get to do most of the fun stuff like serve warrants (I couldn't even use their gym because it was a liability) but I learned a lot, I got to work with prisoners on an every day basis and I made some friends, which can be a valuable asset for people like us trying to get our foot in the door.

I got the internship because my university is on good standings with the Marshals and has been sending them interns for years. Go talk to the head of your criminal justice department and they will let you know if they offer internships with any federal agencies. A college internship is small potatoes compared to the CSCEP (co-op internship) but in the long run its something to put on the resume and I think it will help me when I'm applying for the cscep.


Oooh. Swords or pistols?:lurk5::AR15firing::smash:

I've always been a fan of pistols at noon.

LOL@ Mike & DntTrdOnMe. I've never been one to walk away from a challenge with the firearms... I may have earned a beer or 2 on the range. :)


Try not to take too long, though. I am not get any younger here. :)

I couldn't even use their gym because it was a liability.

I got to work with prisoners on an every day basis

Is it just me that has a problem reconciling the logic of those two policies?

"No, you can't use the stairmaster - you could fall off. Oh but spending time with Bubba the Fugitive Felon is okay. We don't think you could possibly fall off Bubba."

Is it just me that has a problem reconciling the logic of those two policies?

"No, you can't use the stairmaster - you could fall off. Oh but spending time with Bubba the Fugitive Felon is okay. We don't think you could possibly fall off Bubba."

Hahah, no its not just you, even the deputies didn't get it but I guess thats how the cookie crumbles. I was told Interns who passed through before me ruined a lot for the rest of us, which is why I wasn't able to serve any warrants either.

LOL@ Mike & DntTrdOnMe. I've never been one to walk away from a challenge with the firearms... I may have earned a beer or 2 on the range. :)

I'm sure you have Switch, maybe after we patch up the double tap in my chest you can give me a few pointers over a cold one haha :cheers:.

Oh, why "waste time" on the range. I am sure there is some local brewhouse that has a couple vacant stools. :)

It's too bad. I was reading this thread to try to gain some additional insight as to some of the daily aspects on the job in CSCEP, but no one actually wrote about that. Oh well, I'll just keep browsing the threads.

It's too bad. I was reading this thread to try to gain some additional insight as to some of the daily aspects on the job in CSCEP, but no one actually wrote about that. Oh well, I'll just keep browsing the threads.

Are you currently in CSCEP? I am and and have passed everything, and have not heard one thing from them in the last three months. Any insight. I have a paper saying what CSCEP applicants do, if that would be any help.

Are you currently in CSCEP? I am and and have passed everything, and have not heard one thing from them in the last three months. Any insight. I have a paper saying what CSCEP applicants do, if that would be any help.

No, I'm not in CSCEP. I'm a freshman CJ major student, but I'm transferring to a different university that has CSCEP. I have actually met the with the recruiting officer in the federal district that I'm moving too, so hopefully he will remember me when I apply in a year and a half. That paper you have would actually be excellent if you could send it to me.

CSEP participants (called Co-ops) usually rotate through each section of a district office spending time in Operations, Civil, Forfietures,Warrants. The mostly perform clerical and logistical duties (shredding documents FTW!). They do not handle prisoners or participate in warrant service. If you are lucky you may get to go to the range and get some trigger time.

Sounds like a normal internship. Thanks for the info. Doesn't really matter anymore since they closed the program.

Sounds like a normal internship. Thanks for the info. Doesn't really matter anymore since they closed the program.

The difference is that when you graduated and if you completed the Co-op program you could get sent right to our academy and begin your career as a deputy. Just because the program is currently closed does not mean it is gone. Anyone in a recently participating school should keep a close eye on it.

Hey I am currently doing the CSCEP. I started in my office a month. It is a lot like an internship but the main difference is that you are hands on while the intern is not. The intern is more of an observer. The guaranteed upon successful completion is also the other major difference.


A Deputy that helps out at FLETC told me that they are more than likely going to do away with the coop program soon and go back to the testing format.

Good Luck

Hey I am currently doing the CSCEP. I started in my office a month. It is a lot like an internship but the main difference is that you are hands on while the intern is not. The intern is more of an observer. The guaranteed upon successful completion is also the other major difference.


A Deputy that helps out at FLETC told me that they are more than likely going to do away with the coop program soon and go back to the testing format.

Good Luck

In case you didn't notice, March 5th was the day to apply on the most recent announcement. It was finally open to ANYONE to apply AND there will be a test administered.