How close do you have to live to the office or HQ?

[StartingOut]

Quick question somewhat related to relocation. I live very close to an agency field office. I also live within a couple of hours of a number of other field offices. If I was hired and posted to an office that wasn't local, but was within 2 hours driving, would I be required to relocate closer?

In short, are there any requirements from any 1811 agencies that state SAs must live within x miles of the office?

[Switchback]

Some offices implement requirements, as the gov maintenance and fuel costs usually come out of the local budget. Furthermore, they expect you to have an ability to respond in a timely fashion.

With that, I have known some to commute up to 90 minutes. Right now, I am doing about a 2 hour commute, but it is just a short term thing to get some special experience. Very soon now, I will be going back to my office, which is about an hour away (give or take, depending on traffic).

If I were you, unless you think that there is some reason that they may move you to the local office shortly, I would be making plans to move. You'll be the new guy and this will likely NOT be the way you want to start things off.

FYI, I had a buddy who lived in Clarksburg, WV. His initial assignment was in Wheeling. He had kids in high school, the wife didn't want to move and he believed that he would get transferred before too long. So, he rented an apartment in WHeeling and went home on weekends. He did that for 2-3 years. He is now assigned to Clarksburg.

[Kimble]

Different agencies have different policies (that goes for LE agencies at local, state and federal levels), so I can't speak for every agency, but I've known more than one person who works here (southern VA) and resides in the Washington, DC area (they tend to commute back home on the weekend).

[StartingOut]

Thanks guys. I have the "wife will not move and the kids are in school" situation, so it'll probably be a case of renting a very cheap apartment near the office - I'm in the "I can't wait until the kids are out of school because I'll be way too old by then" category.

Perhaps she'll change her mind at some point...

[BP348]

I agree with ROS & Switch. It all depends on the agency and where you get stationed.

I know a ICE 1811 who told me his best friend, who's an ICE agent in LA drives 2 hours (one way) to work, not counting traffic.

My new office is 70 miles away so I drive about the same as Switch. Of course I'm driving my own vehicle.

[StartingOut]

So would I be correct in thinking that 1811 jobs are worth driving 2 hours each way for? Initially, at least, and until I could get transferred to somewhere closer or move nearer the office?

One related question - with so many of you guys living so far away from the office, I'm guessing that there's not too many after-hours emergency calls?

[Switchback]

That depends on your agency. The other 1811 in this thread, seems to be in my boat, being relatively close. Most of the 1811s that I know, from a variety of agencies, live within an hour. A few are as far out as 1:20 in rush-hour, but not many.

Most guys that I know (USMS, ICE, DEA, ATF and even some FBI) have regular off-hour response responsibilities. Off-hours tend to be a lot faster, as there is little-to no traffic. Still, you need to be able to respond in a timely fashion.

[Big Sexy]

So would I be correct in thinking that 1811 jobs are worth driving 2 hours each way for? Initially, at least, and until I could get transferred to somewhere closer or move nearer the office?

One related question - with so many of you guys living so far away from the office, I'm guessing that there's not too many after-hours emergency calls?

You aren't going to get an answer to your question, that will satisfy you.

Are 1811 positions WORTH a two hour drive? That depends on the particular agency, the agency's responsibilities, staffing and more importantly, you.

All 1811's are not the same. What floats your particular boat, may be the a fate worst than death for another.

Everyone doesn't find working on a Fugitive, Narcotic, Gang, Cyber, Smuggling, Financial, Fraud, Health Care, Public Corruption, Child Pornography, Sex Crime, Homicide, Tax Evasion, Protection, etc, etc, Group, Squad, Unit or Division, appealing in any manner. This little list is only the tip of the iceberg of responsibilities that different 1811's in a particular agency or several agencies have.

You can post your questions, trying to cover every possible angle, until the cows come home and you are blue in the face. The only one who can decide if law enforcement in general and federal law enforcement particular is for you, is you.

[Big Sexy]

Sidenote: No one and BIG means no one, calls Headquarters, "HQ".

They especially do not refer to their home office as "HQ", but the office or the "O", but not "HQ".

[Grift]

Most guys that I know (USMS, ICE, DEA, ATF and even some FBI) have regular off-hour response responsibilities. Off-hours tend to be a lot faster, as there is little-to no traffic. Still, you need to be able to respond in a timely fashion.

I would imagine the lights and sirens help too. :D

[Switchback]

I would imagine the lights and sirens help too. :D

If traffic sucks, where can the cars go to get out of your way? They have been m ore useful in off-peak hours, responding to call-outs. People see them coming from a distance and (most) have ample time to move before you get close.

[Nole795]

Thanks guys. I have the "wife will not move and the kids are in school" situation, so it'll probably be a case of renting a very cheap apartment near the office - I'm in the "I can't wait until the kids are out of school because I'll be way too old by then" category.

Perhaps she'll change her mind at some point...

You may want to have long talk with her..."the needs of the agency" is a nice way of saying "take it in the keester" when they post you in NYC, LA, or Detroit.

[Group9]

Quick question somewhat related to relocation. I live very close to an agency field office. I also live within a couple of hours of a number of other field offices. If I was hired and posted to an office that wasn't local, but was within 2 hours driving, would I be required to relocate closer?

In short, are there any requirements from any 1811 agencies that state SAs must live within x miles of the office?

In DEA, it starts out with the rule you must live within 50 miles (one way) of the office to have a take home car. SAC's are allowed to expand or contract that milege. I know offices that allow 75 miles, and offices where agents are restricted to 35 miles.

They can't tell you where to live, but they can tell you how far you will be allowed to drive the g-car home. And, it is one of the better perks for federal law enforcement, although there are some chicken feed rules attached to driving them that defy common sense.

[Group9]

I would imagine the lights and sirens help too. :D

You'd be shocked at how little good they do in an unmarked car most of the time.

[Big Sexy]

In DEA, it starts out with the rule you must live within 50 miles (one way) of the office to have a take home car.

This is pretty much the rule in ICE. When gas was above $4.00, those with SUV's and lived more than 25 miles out, were going to have their SUV's taken away.