What federal Law Enforcement?

[Ricca716]

I just graduated from college with a BS in Political Science/ Public Administration and am thinking about Federal Law Enforcement. I have a friend in the USMS and he seem's to enjoy it and said that the FBI is much more competitive in the work setting, is that typical? I am looking for a Federal Law Enforcement group that is exciting and where more field work is normal. I know that office work and paperwork is part of every job, I just don't want it to be the whole job. Between the FBI, DEA, and USMS what are your thoughts? I know that they serve different purposes I am just looking for some direction and how to get started. Thanks

[scott715us]

It all depends on what you're interested in. USMS focuses on fugitive investigations and courtroom security, DEA focuses on drug investigations, and FBI addresses terrorism, bank robberies, and a multitude of other crimes. Regardless, you need to start putting in the paperwork now. Be prepared for a long wait. There are several threads of folks who are in the various stages of the hiring process. You can also look on the websites for the individual agency and see if they're attending any career fairs (or schools) in your area. It's important to know which area you're most interested in. Due to the time and legwork you have to put in to get hired with any fed agency, you might want to make sure you get with the one you want to be with.

[Joeyd6]

First, get a job. You need to be employed now and making money. Getting hired anywhere can take from a few months to over a year. The chance of getting a LE job on any level, especially the federal in less than six months without prior experience is slim to none, with none getting hit by a bus.

Second, you need to figure out what you want to do. You want to work financial crime? Just kick in doors all day? Work on immigration issues? Do you like contract fraud? How much travel do you want to do? Do you want to work drugs and undercover work? Etc... YOU need to sit down and decide what you want to do, and then find an agency with that mission/investigations.

Third, every job, especially in law enforcement has paperwork, and lots of it. Some title have more, some have less, but there is a lot of paperwork. I do more paperwork and writing as a fed than my days in the NYPD or FHP. I know my counterpart 1811's do the same in the OIG world...memorandums of activity, memorandums for the file, case notes, reports of investigation, progress reports, criminal complaints, search warrants, arrest warrants, affidavits, interoffice correspondence, etc... There are security based/physical protection based positions and then there are investigative positions. Security based/physical will have less writing than investigative where you tend to have to document the majority of things you do.

Finally, I think you underestimate you competition. LE is not a job you say you want and just go get. You have to be selected. A bachelors degree is not that competitive in the federal work force. Everyone coming in now has a bachelors, and CJ, PS and PA are a dime a dozen. Many are CPA's, have masters, JD's and even doctorates. Most federal investigations (not all), involves financial crime or computer crime. You have an associates or minor in that? You speak any second languages? As a guy who sits on the office hiring panel, why should I hire you over the ten other people applying? Don't tell me what a great a guy you are...I want to know what you have done to prepare yourself for this work and what you can bring to the table.

[Kimble]

If only someone took the time to write out a thorough thread with info on how someone aspiring go become a federal agent could pursue doing so... So You Want to be a Federal Agent?

[scott715us]

JD's and even doctorates

Hey.....JDs are doctorates!

...and yes I'm pursuing a JD.

lol

[Joeyd6]

Hey.....JDs are doctorates!

...and yes I'm purusing a JD.

lol

LOl...I know...I got mine recently. Nobody will call me doctors though......I keep getting "counselor" which I take as an insult.....I am not a lawyer....I am a cop!

[DeltaV]

As others have said, a bachelor's degree is simply the bare minimum requirement for most federal criminal investigator jobs. With some agencies a BS in political science doesn't even meet the minimum requirements. You're going to need more than that if you seriously want to have a chance at a job.