Federal LE (6c covered) without degree?

[pablo_conn]

I'm interested in a career change from IT to a federal law enforcement position. Unfortunately, I didn't finish college when I was younger, so I'm very limited as most federal positions require at least a bachelors. I also have the age 37 'kiss of death' birthday just over 3 years away. The chances I can finish college while holding down my current full time job before then are pretty slim.

I know that once you get into any 6c covered position, you can apply to other 6c jobs after age 37. Thinking that it might be a good idea to look into getting into something now to stop the clock, so to speak.

I know you are eligible to apply for the Border Patrol and the SS Uniformed Division without a degree. Anyone have a listing of the other 6c positions that are open to non-college graduates?

[Switchback]

There are plenty of jobs that you can get without a degree. It is just more difficult. You can get in the USMS and ATF wihtout a degree. It's not likely, but you can do it.

I know about the 1811 jobs so those are the ones I refer to. However, applying to non-1811 jobs will be a great deal less competitive.

[Group9]

I just had a good friend get hired on as an ATF 1811 without a degree. It is not an easy way to get hired, though, and competition is pretty intense for those non-college degree slots from what I understand. You have to have a pretty good LE resume as well.

[Piggy]

I believe BOP is 20 year retirement and they hire all the time. It's prison work but you'll stop the clock.

[cecilVA]

Are you willing to move? There are a number of 0083 uniformed federal LE jobs in the DC area, USSS UD and USCP are the two that are hiring at this point. They don't require college degrees. There is also Customs Inspectors which are nationwide, don't think they require a degree.

[tunlrat]

cecil VA is right. Also don't forget US Park Police & Supreme Court police. Although, Park hasn't had an open announcement in some time (actually--don't take my word on Supreme Court--not sure, but they did have openings earlier). Customs & Border Protection (formerly legacy Customs & Immigration Inspectors) officers don't require a degree. I believe Detention Enforcement Officers w/ various agencies--US Marshals, ICE, etc) are also 6c covered & no degree required. It seems to me a lot of people go the "BOPPER" route to stop the clock, apparently because their hiring process seems faster than most. One of my classmates at FLETC told me he got out after 20 years in the military at age 37 & was scooped up in a snap by BOP. He's now w/ Customs & much happier, but he was able to "stop the clock."

[tunlrat]

Throw Pentagon Police into that 6c mix too. Although, their hiring process seems SUPER slow!

[Piggy]

I thought Customs Inspectors were still under 30 year retirement? Or am I thinking of Immigration Inspectors? Of course they've all changed titles now with the new DHS merger.

[Chaynsaw]

Switchback,

What is 1811?

[Sleuth]

The 1811 series are Federal Criminal Investigators. They are all 6c Retirement covered positions.

[AndrewTx]

For those familiar with these 0083 positions or those who have been through their application processes..

Notwithstanding that the differences in current needs/vacancies/ other variations between agencies, etc. makes this question a little difficult to answer, what backgrounds are considered competetive when applying for non-1811 federal LE positions?

[chewy]

I thought Customs Inspectors were still under 30 year retirement? Or am I thinking of Immigration Inspectors? Of course they've all changed titles now with the new DHS merger.

Customs Inspectors and Immigration Inspectors are now the same title, GS-1895 Customs & Border Protection Officers. We have a thirty year retirement, are not 6c covered but are sworn Federal Officers. The bad thing is that we don't have 6c and have to work thirty years but the good thing is that they can't call us back to work from home, we have union protection (for now until Bush and his Hitler Security Department disband our unions and make us do what ever they want us to without even being covered...don't get me going), and our overtime is double time. It isn't as glamours of a job as some of the 1811's but I think you'll find that a lot of the 1811 jobs aren't all door kicking like people think either. CBP Officer can be a great job and best of all you can be over 37y/o AND don't need any degree to get in. If you do decide, try for the southern border or California/Florida seaport/airports, they are generally faster pace and more gung ho enforcement. If you go to the Northern border your best bet for ports are places like WA & NY. As Switch said, you can get 1811 jobs without a degree but it is much harder, you might consider 1895, 1801 type jobs. Good luck.

[intheaircop2]

Chewy ?

Sworn federal officers? Isn't every law enforcement postion in the govt. sworn? I think Bureau of Prisons corrections officers are also sworn. Is it true you CBP inspectors do not have arrest authority? Now I know you are going to say yes but I am talking about not while you are at work but when you are off. I am not talking about a citizens arrest either. I am talking about ( 49 U.S.C. section 44903(d), to carry firearms and make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States or for a felony under the laws of the United States) . I have a close friend who is a inspector and we argue about this all the time. Can you spill the beans because my friend will not.
Aslo one more ?. Why is it you guys wear a weapon in a secure area in the airport. Now I understand why the inspectors have to have them while on the border but I can't firgure it out when I get back from an international trip why every one of you guys are packing? I mean it is a secure area of the airport and very secure. I can't even go into your customs area without that customs sticker on my airport ID,and my badge can not get me into the customs area either. When was the last time a inspector had to draw down on someone in the secure area that you guys are in. I am not beeing a smart A__. Just making conversation.

[steve1568]

FBI Uniformed Division will be doing a hiring canvass sometime this year for the Miami and Chicago offices according to the rumor mill.

[chewy]

Chewy ?

Sworn federal officers? Isn't every law enforcement postion in the govt. sworn? I think Bureau of Prisons corrections officers are also sworn. Is it true you CBP inspectors do not have arrest authority? Now I know you are going to say yes but I am talking about not while you are at work but when you are off. I am not talking about a citizens arrest either. I am talking about ( 49 U.S.C. section 44903(d), to carry firearms and make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States or for a felony under the laws of the United States) . I have a close friend who is a inspector and we argue about this all the time. Can you spill the beans because my friend will not.
Aslo one more ?. Why is it you guys wear a weapon in a secure area in the airport. Now I understand why the inspectors have to have them while on the border but I can't firgure it out when I get back from an international trip why every one of you guys are packing? I mean it is a secure area of the airport and very secure. I can't even go into your customs area without that customs sticker on my airport ID,and my badge can not get me into the customs area either. When was the last time a inspector had to draw down on someone in the secure area that you guys are in. I am not beeing a smart A__. Just making conversation.

Yes, we do have 44903-arrest authority. We can arrest off duty for felonies if we have PC that they have been, are being or will be committed and misdemeanors if they are committed in our presence. We just got the full authority a few years ago but we were told they still didn't want us arresting anyone even though we could, they still wanted the agents to do it. This is one of the sore spots with OPM and us. We keep petitioning congress to give us some sort of LE status or 6c because we are full police officers, we do have full arrest and carry powers both on and off duty but we still are not considered an LE position. It doesn't really make sense. One of the problems has always been that we don't have the strict physical standards. If they changed the standards we would get rid of some dead weight and have a better group I feel. Although DHS now, along with pay banding and grooming changes (which are already in place) is going to start making us adhere to stricter physical fitness standards so maybe we can finally get a shorter retirement. As for the airports I don't know. Some airports the Officers don't carry, only the supervisors, some it is optional and some (I think the majority) it is required. I never really understood it. I know in Detroit we always had to because we could get sent from the airport to the border at anytime or if we got ordered to overtime after our regular shift but now the airport and border are separate ports so they can't make people go back and forth but they still have to wear their guns. If I were in a position to make these decisions this port wouldn't be as F'ed up as it is!