Before FLE?

[LEOWannabe]

As a college student, I was wondering what you guys (or ladies) did after you graduated college (assuming you have a degree) until you got your current job? Specifically, I assume that most of the FLE agencies dont normally hire people right out of college, so what did you do after college? Post-grad degree, local police, etc. If you dont have a degree, what did you do after highschool?

[Nole795]

After college, seven years of local and state law enforcement before getting picked up to be a FLEO. Best times of my life, and I don't regret one bit it taking that long to be in the position that I am in. I learned more about police work being a street cop.

[Kimble]

Specifically, I assume that most of the FLE agencies dont normally hire people right out of college, so what did you do after college? Post-grad degree, local police, etc. If you dont have a degree, what did you do after highschool?

You can certainly be hired in FLE after college, but it is a rarity for the federal criminal investigator positions (i.e. 1811 or "Special Agent" positions). Some will hire graduates with exceptional academic achievement, but still, most 1811s are not hired directly out of college. Other uniformed agencies do hire larger numbers of college graduates than the 1811's (USSS-UD, USCP, USBP, etc.).

While I'm not an 1811 or federal LEO, I am working towards becoming one. I went on to get my master's degree after college, and now work in a management position in higher education. I'm also applying for OCS with the Coast Guard.

I know of only one federal agent without a college degree. He's a member on another LE forum, but I won't divulge too much about him on a public forum. Suffice to say he had an extensive military and LE background before gaining his 1811 position.

[Nole795]

I have only met a few people who were hired as agents straight out of college. One was a bilingual masters student who was sent to a small post near the Texas border, the other was a magna *** laude of an ivy league school, and the third was the son of a high ranking official.

[Swat1]

I know of only one federal agent without a college degree. He's a member on another LE forum, but I won't divulge too much about him on a public forum. Suffice to say he had an extensive military and LE background before gaining his 1811 position.

- ROS

That fits me to a tee. I do not have a college degree, however, spent 9 years in the military, five of those as a Counterintelligence agent, then spent 6 years as a local LEO, 1 1/2 on patrol, the rest in investigations and as an FBI task force agent on a violent crimes TF. I was hired on a direct lateral announcement into an 1811 position as a GS-12, but that is extremely rare.

Swat1*

[Switchback]

First of all, I know a few 1811s without degrees, but they fall into 1 of 2 categories: hey are either old school (nering reitement) or have a rather extensive military and/or LE background (with specialties).

I was hired as an 1811 about a year out of college. I have an unrelated degree with some unrelated work experience. i also have a couple MOSes from the national guard and then ROTC.

[JBT]

CJ degree and loss prevention internship/work experience. Lots of surveillance, computer, report writing, credit/check fraud, internal theft, and being the store was in Detroit, handcuffing experience.

[intheaircop2]

I know of one dumb a_ _ who got hired as a 1811 2 years ago who had no college, no military, 1 year as a Border Patrol agent and six months as an Air Marshal and now is a 1811 with HUD. This guy was a complete retard and I could not understand how the heck he got in. Not to say HUD is a bad place to be but I think it is the only place he could of gotten in without even 1 college class under his belt.

[Sleuth]

I got hired as an 1811 with U.S. Customs directly out of college. But, that was a long time ago.

[tunlrat]

Right after college? I "partied" like it was 1999--because it was! Spent several months doing odd jobs while waiting for my app. process to finish up with my local dept. Even was an usher at a football stadium. It was the ultimate fun job--but obviously no long term potential. Did some 3 years with my local dept., applied w/ legacy US Customs on 09-17-01 (inspired by 9-11), got hired as an 1801 in summer 2002. Decided that job series wasn't for me, spent some tortuous years in the private sector :eek: , & now am returning to my old dept.

Circle of life man, circle of life...

[tunlrat]

I had a FLETC classmate who got hired right out of college. She had no prior LE or military experience. So it does happen. You never know until you apply.While not necessary to land the job, I HIGHLY recommend one gets LE experience somewhere; e.g. military, local, etc. Like Nole795, I wouldn't trade my local experience for the world AND it'll teach you one of the most important things they DON"T teach you at FLETC--officer safety.

[foxmulder]

graduated college in 2003. Applied with USCP one month after graduation. During that year began taking classes towards my JD, hired exactly one year after application.

[AndrewTx]

\ I wouldn't trade my local experience for the world AND it'll teach you one of the most important things they DON"T teach you at FLETC--officer safety.

Just wondering if you could expand a little on that, tunl, or anyone else with similar experience. Are you referring to 1811 positions or are you including other FLE positions in lacking sufficient training for officer safety? Curious about that. Thanks :cool:

[Switchback]

I would hope that he is referring to a fed corrections job, relative to the street. I know that we cover plenty in officer safety.

[tunlrat]

Can't talk about CITP; I can only gripe about the program I went through.

The legacy Customs (& pretty much the INS) Inspector program AT THE TIME were basically a joke when it came to officer safety issues. Maybe things have changed though with the big CBP merger (don't get offended Chewy! ).

They do teach safety issues, e.g. contact-cover, cover/ concealment, weapon side away from interviewee, & the like. It's just that they don't STRESS these issues enough in my opinion.

I just think if one is going to a port of entry, especially a land border, one should be brainwashed about officer safety, officer safety, officer safety especially when you're constantly outnumbered by people who can turn against you at any time.

This is all my humble opinion. I'm not trying to start a "my dept. is better than your agency-vice versa" kind of thing. Again, I can only talk about the course I attended. I know, through observance & through talking to other students in the mess hall line, g-bar, whatever, that there are many top-notch programs at FLETC---just not all of them.

Any former cops have any similar gripes? I can't be the only one! :(
(crickets chirping...)