MPD vs. uniformed FLE for 1811 experience....

[Colonials322]

Hello everyone,
I am graduating from college here in DC in May and my ultimate goal is to get an 1811 job. But I realize that without much experience aside from two internships I will need to get some more before I am competitive enough. I got rejected by some OIGs, NCIS, and Secret Service, (not really too surprised) but plan on applying to DS anyway. I also applied to MPD, USSS/UD, and will apply to Capitol Police and Border Patrol.

Ideally I would like to stay in the DC area, but was wondering, what would be better experience for someone who hopes to land an 1811 job after 3 or so years of uniformed LE?
Would USCP be considered qualifying experience despite the large amt. of time spent standing at posts? I would ideally like to get into some "hands-on" work right from the start in whatever agency I end up working.
I realize MPD (or Park Police - but they will not be hiring for a while) would provide the most "real" LE work, and I guess the only main drawback I see is that they aren't federal. Then again I also hear a rumor that cops applying for 1811s are a "dime a dozen" so it doesn't always help (??).
Border Patrol seems to produce a lot of 1811s, and the job seems almost "fun" in many ways, but I can't see myself relocating to the SW border at this point.

Anyway, sorry to ramble on a bit, but any advice on what path to take is greatly appreciated.

-Chris

[Kimble]

Hello everyone,
I am graduating from college here in DC in May and my ultimate goal is to get an 1811 job. But I realize that without much experience aside from two internships I will need to get some more before I am competitive enough. I got rejected by some OIGs, NCIS, and Secret Service, (not really too surprised) but plan on applying to DS anyway. I also applied to MPD, USSS/UD, and will apply to Capitol Police and Border Patrol.

Chris,

Ahh, another familiar posting from 911jobforums ( :D ).

Ideally I would like to stay in the DC area, but was wondering, what would be better experience for someone who hopes to land an 1811 job after 3 or so years of uniformed LE? Would USCP be considered qualifying experience despite the large amt. of time spent standing at posts?

USCP (and similarly USSS-UD) is LE experience, period. It's true that USCP and USSS-UD involve a lot of standing post, particularly in the beginning of one's career in these positions. Are these the most exciting job available in the DC area? I guess that's debatable, but it's still federal LE that offers excellent training and the opportunity to pursue special units and assignments within the agency. I don't believe either are 6c-covered positions (though I could be mistaken about USSS-UD), so it won't be qualifying towards retirement in the way that other uniformed FLE positions are.

EDIT: upon further investigation I believe that both USSS-UD and USCP are 6c-covered postions (source: http://www.911jobforums.com/vB/showp...76&postcount=3).

I would ideally like to get into some "hands-on" work right from the start in whatever agency I end up working.
I realize MPD (or Park Police - but they will not be hiring for a while) would provide the most "real" LE work, and I guess the only main drawback I see is that they aren't federal. Then again I also hear a rumor that cops applying for 1811s are a "dime a dozen" so it doesn't always help (??).

Two things, MPD and U.S. Park Police are two different agencies. U.S. Park Police are absolutely FLE, and I believe they are also 6c-covered. While those with LE backgrounds applying for 1811 positions may be "a dime a dozen", that doesn't mean that every LEO applying for 1811 positions are stellar candidates. The USSS office I interned with was almost entirely former local and state LE. To be competative with LE in your background you will need to show a background as an excellent cop, whether it be in investigations, a special ops unit, or other division. LE can be an excellent background for an 1811 so long as you show yourself to be an excellent worker.

Border Patrol seems to produce a lot of 1811s, and the job seems almost "fun" in many ways, but I can't see myself relocating to the SW border at this point.

Many 1811s are former Border Patrol Agents. It's a 6c-covered position that will give you the opportunity to gain a second language and offers some terrific training/experience. If you admit that it is an excellent beginning towards becoming an 1811, and becoming an 1811 is really what you want, is relocation to the SW really that bad?

Just my two pennies.

[jarobins]

I got rejected by some OIGs, NCIS, and Secret Service, (not really too surprised) but plan on applying to DS anyway. I also applied to MPD, USSS/UD, and will apply to Capitol Police and Border Patrol.

These agencies all have fairly different missions, which makes me ask why do really want to be an 1811? What I read is you don't care who you work for as long you are an 1811. It makes it seem like your motivation is money. I know that should be a consideration is any career, but be prepared to answer the same question during hiring panels. If you are motivated by money and not a real desire to work for that specific agency it will show through during the interviews.

Ideally I would like to stay in the DC area, but was wondering, what would be better experience for someone who hopes to land an 1811 job after 3 or so years of uniformed LE?

For the most part, the agency you work for won't be that big of a factor. It will be how YOU distinguished yourself within that organization. Every agency has its own unique advantages. Larger agencies may offer you a better chance to get promoted, but smaller agencies often require patrol officers to handle major cases than in the larger agencies may have been passed on to detectives. I know just as many 1811's that came from small local PD's as I do ones that came from large state and federal agencies. You may end up somewhere and after a few years on the job realize that being an 1811 is no longer as appealing as it now. So I guess the answer is find an agency that you want to work for and that you would be able to spend 3-5 years working for.

I realize MPD (or Park Police - but they will not be hiring for a while) would provide the most "real" LE work, and I guess the only main drawback I see is that they aren't federal.

What do you consider "real" police work? :confused: The statement sounds rather insulting to me, and I don't even work for MPD or USPP.

[Colonials322]

Jarobins,

First off, no offense was intended. The reason I put it in quotes was because it is something that I have heard in from other people..."real" police work being what they define as the hands-on , patrol-oriented stuff, making drug busts, pursuits, etc, that is indicative of MPD or many other local PDs.

Secondly, I have never based my career aspirations on money. If that was the case, heck, I would jump in line to get a spot with Nassau or Suffolk County. The reason I listed all those agencies was because at this point, as a soon-to-be college grad without the luxury of choosing where I want to work as an 1811, I am just using the shotgun method to try and get my foot in the door. My goal is to get on board with DS, ICE, or FBI (probably my top 3 choices), but I am interested in so many aspects of FLE that I would not care where I started out.

Thanks again for your input.

[tunlrat]

Graduating in May? Yikes, you should have applied to these agencies in your junior year. Pass that on to your junior classmates because no one told me how long it takes to get ANY LE job. :mad:

MPD, USPP, USCP, USSS UD--all solid agencies to work for as a "stepping stone" or as a full 25+ year career. Since you're already in DC & don't want to move, to me, your best shot to land an LE (0083 or 1811) job is to stay there as there are so many Fed, state, county, & local agencies you can work for. However, if you REALLY want to be a federal employee, be prepared to move anywhere CONUS (or OCONUS) for it.

Coming straight out of college, trust me, you cannot afford to be too picky. My advice to you is to go with the first agency that offers you a position. If I was in your position (based solely on who's currently hiring)---my top 2 choices would be MPD & USPP (so don't send me angry pms please)! :D

[Colonials322]

I would certainly apply to USPP as they are one of my top uniformed FLE agencies, except they are not hiring right now and apparently will not be for some time.

[chewy]

They all would be ok LE experiance but if you really want an agent job you might want to try for a Uniformed position that is "covered" under 6c. Some of the jobs that are not will look good as experiance but not as good as a covered job. Your best bet is Border Patrol because they are always hiring people as long as your willing to work the southern border for a few years which is really the place to be for action and diversity. Down there they are always getting into things, lots of drug seizures, shootings etc plus they do foot patrol, vehicle, boats, four wheelers, horse, aviation...they got it goin on! There are other covered jobs, Bureau of Prisons is, I think Federal Protective Service is however they are a journeyman GS-5 or 7 I think. There are others, you just have to look.

[Kimble]

There are other covered jobs, Bureau of Prisons is, I think Federal Protective Service is however they are a journeyman GS-5 or 7 I think. There are others, you just have to look.

Also, I've heard that uniformed FPS positions are top-notch, as they are receiving much better training and responsibilities now under ICE/DHS than they did under GSA (and they're 6c-covered ). Even better, FPS has 1811 SA positions. As an agency within ICE, uniformed officers with FPS may also know of internal announcements for SA positions for ICE as well (i.e. the immigration and customs investigations). All-in-all, FPS is not a bad way to start out.

[steve1568]

Keep an eye out, FBI-UD will be doing a very l;arge hiring drive in the near future as well. It isnt a "kicking doors down" job every day but you have access to awesome training and resources.

[LEOWannabe]

What is this "6c-covered" you guys keep referring to? I'm still kinda new at this stuff, but if you could explain that would be great.

[Kimble]

What is this "6c-covered" you guys keep referring to? I'm still kinda new at this stuff, but if you could explain that would be great.

6c is the retirement system for federal LE positions (though not all positions with all agencies are covered). Nearly all 1811 positions that I can think of are 6c covered, which means that the same retirement system would follow you from one position/agency to another. Since the 6c system has a manditory retirement after 20-years of 57, you must be 37 years of age or younger before starting a position that is 6c-covered (ex: since a Special Agent position with FBI is 6c-covered, you could not be accepted if you were 38 years old or older unless you had previously held a 6c-covered position, either with FBI or another agency).

[Nole795]

Best advice to you...research the agencies and apply. It will take time, so get your work experience down and don't give up. Stay in shape also.

[Bearcat06]

Also, I've heard that uniformed FPS positions are top-notch, as they are receiving much better training and responsibilities now under ICE/DHS than they did under GSA (and they're 6c-covered ). Even better, FPS has 1811 SA positions. As an agency within ICE, uniformed officers with FPS may also know of internal announcements for SA positions for ICE as well (i.e. the immigration and customs investigations). All-in-all, FPS is not a bad way to start out.

FPS isn't 6c covered.....as of yet. There is a rumor that they are going to get it but it's just a rumor. And the way the budget is, who knows.
I applied for a FPS position in KCMO about 2.5 years ago and made it through everything.....then got bitched slapped by the budget problems and have been waiting ever since.
They are starting to finally hire again but the only announcements I have seen are out on the West Coast/Alaska area.

[LEOWannabe]

6c is the retirement system for federal LE positions (though not all positions with all agencies are covered). Nearly all 1811 positions that I can think of are 6c covered, which means that the same retirement system would follow you from one position/agency to another. Since the 6c system has a manditory retirement after 20-years of 57, you must be 37 years of age or younger before starting a position that is 6c-covered (ex: since a Special Agent position with FBI is 6c-covered, you could not be accepted if you were 38 years old or older unless you had previously held a 6c-covered position, either with FBI or another agency).

Does that mean that if you were a capitol poice officer for 10 years (assuming for the sake of this question it is 6c covered), then became a FBI agent, you could only be an agent for 10 years since it would add up to 20?

[Kimble]

Does that mean that if you were a capitol poice officer for 10 years (assuming for the sake of this question it is 6c covered), then became a FBI agent, you could only be an agent for 10 years since it would add up to 20?

It means that manditory retirement is at 57, period. If you get a 6c job at 23 yoa (by USCP, FBI or any other 6c-covered position), you'd have 34 years to work until you reached 57. If you are hired at 37 and worked for USCP for 10 years, then yes, you would only have 10 years left with FBI. You have to put in at least 20 years for retirement, and you have to be out the door at 57.