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Choosing a Federal Law Enforcement Agency Special Agent PositionPrepared forRecent Criminal Justice GraduatesPrepared byTaylor WestfallDecember, 2012ContentsIntroduction__________________________________________________________________2Drug Enforcement Administration_______________________________________________3Nature of Work___________________________________________________________3Government Benefits______________________________________________________3Hiring Process/ Requirements________________________________________________4Training_________________________________________________________________4Equipment_______________________________________________________________5Miscellaneous Equipment___________________________________________________6Federal Bureau ofInvestigation__________________________________________________7Nature of Work__________________________________________________________7Hiring Process/ Requirements_______________________________________________7Training________________________________________________________________8Equipment______________________________________________________________8Customs and Border Patrol____________________________________________________11Nature of Work_________________________________________________________11Hiring Process/ Requirements______________________________________________11Training_______________________________________________________________11Equipment_____________________________________________________________12Conclusion__________________________________________________________________13References__________________________________________________________________14IntroductionDeciding to seek a Federal Law enforcement positions can lead to a successful career and excellent benefits. There are several agencies that one can apply to join but all provided different types of work and aspects that accompany each agency. This feasibility report will outline various differences between the 3 primary federal law enforcement agencies; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). This report is divided into four sections; FBI, DEA, CBP, and conclusion. Each section will cover the differences between these three agencies. The main points that will be addressed are listed below.Mission objective and history of the agencyNature of workBenefitsRequirements for employment/ Hiring processTrainingEquipment All three agencies offer great opportunities and benefits but also offer different varieties of work, locations of operation, and mission objective. There are several similarities between each agency but have distinct purposes within The Department of Justice and the Federal Government. DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIONThe DEA was formed in 1973 when President Richard Nixon declared a war on drugs. It originated as several agencies that were compiled together; however, it was primarily formed from the Bureau of Narcotics. The Administration’s mission is to eradicate illegal drugs and the violence and crime that is a byproduct of drugs. The name “Drug Enforcement Administration” was chosen to convey the fact that the goal was to regulate both illegal and legal drugs and not just enforcement. As an administration they have the authority to adjust Title 21 which mandates all drug laws and statutes. They also enforce various statutes from Title 18 which is the federal criminal code. The administration has created a scheduling system that allows drugs to be placed and organized by what type and the potential the drug has for addiction. This scheduling system also allows prosecutors to determine the charges to file against an offender. NATURE OF WORKThe life of a DEA agent is very eventful. Due to the fact that the work revolves around criminal activity, the work schedule is unpredictable. Activities that Agents participate in are surveillance, property seizure, raids, and evidence transport. It is not uncommon for an agent to transport large amounts of drugs on commercial flights. Agents can also be called in the middle of the night to report to work due to unexpected criminal activity. The criminals dealt with in the DEA are very dangerous. This is due in part to the amount of money at stake involved in drug dealing. Agents will initiate an investigation, gather required evidence, arrest suspects, attend and participate in court proceedings, and finally witness sentencing before closing the case. GOVERNMENT BENEFITSThe federal government offers excellent benefit packages. In most cases up to 80 percent of health insurance premiums are paid for by the government. Life insurance is also available. What is considered the best part of the Federal Government Benefit Package is the retirement program. An employee is entitled to 50 percent of the income they earn after 20 years of service. For every additional year they work past the 20 year mark, they will earn an additional 1 percent. An agent meets mandatory retirement at age 54. If he started at 20 years old and works for 34 years and retires with a GS (General Scale) salary of $120,000, he will be entitled to $88,000 dollars per year during his retirement. Government benefits are used as a great incentive to seek a federal career. These benefits are available to all federal employees. This section should be referenced for all agencies addressed in this report. THE HIRING PROCESSThe hiring process for this for the DEA is broken down into five phases that can take up to two years to complete. After submitting an application you will receive a questionnaire in the form of an email and must answer all questions truthfully. If the applicant meets the minimum qualification he will be admitted to phase two. This stag entails more testing designed to gauge observation and investigation skills. Advancement to phase three initiates the Physical Training test (PT test). One needs to be in excellent physical shape. This is emphasized throughout the hiring process. Several PT tests are administered during this process and entail very intense exercise. The first will take place at stage 3 and again just before final selection. This ensures that all selected candidates are in top condition before arriving at Quantico. Once an applicant qualifies in the PT test, Phase four begins. Applicant will sit before a panel and be interviewed and asked questions. They will then be subjected to a polygraph and have information submitted on an applicant’s application test for truthfulness. Phase five is where the final hiring decision is made. Applicants are only notified if they have been admitted to next phase at any point in the process. If an applicant is dropped at any point, they must call to be updated on their status. An applicant must have at least a bachelor’s degree, 2 years of work in an applicable field, and be at least 21 years of age.TRAININGAfter selection for a Special Agent Position you will be sent to Quantico, Virginia for 12 weeks of training. This training includes investigative techniques, physical fitness, firearms training, advanced driving techniques, drug identification classes, close quarters combat, and drug statutes studies. Every Morning applicants will wake at 5am and participate in a 5 mile run. They will then perform PT tests until 10 am. At this point trainees have a one hour break for lunch. The rest of the day is spent in the class room learning scheduled topics and special skills that are broken down throughout the training process. A trainee must maintain an 80 percent average to say in the program. A trainee must qualify during firearms training or the trainee will be removed from the program and will no longer qualify for employment as a special agent position. This is for safety reasons because an agent must maintain proficiency with the weapons that are carried in order to perform duties as soon as possible. Upon completion of training graduates will be awarded their credentials from the Administrator during a ceremony in Quantico. Agents will then be told where they will be assigned to for their first office location. EQUIPMENTHANDGUNSThe DEA uses fairly common load-out of Handguns. Agents may choose from several different weapons to carry as a primary weapon. All handguns that are approved on three factors: magazine capacity, functionality, and reliability. Agents are authorized to carry the following models listed and pictured bellow Glock Model 17, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27, 21, and 30.Sig Saur Model 220, 229, 226, 220USP compact variantS&W revolvers GLOCK19 SIG SAUR USP COMPACT VARIANTSmith & WessonRIFLES/SHOTGUNSAgents are also authorized to carry full sized rifles. Agents may carry the Colt M4 rifle or the Rock River LAR-15. Both rifles are identical with the exception of the brand name. Both shoot the .223/5.56 NATO round. These weapons are only used during raid operations or by FAST or CERT teams. The Remington 870 shotgun is also used during raids and is commonly issued to agents. COLT M4ROCK RIVER LAR-15 REMINGTON 870MISCELANEOUS EQUIPMENTAgents also use special purpose equipment. When raids are conducted Flash bang and percussion grenades are used to disorient and pacify suspects within building or closed areas that agents cannot see into and need to make a safe entry. Drug testing and lab disposal kits are also used to quickly identify and dispose of dangerous chemicalFEDERAL BUREAU OR INVESTIGATIONThe FBI was originally known as the Bureau of Investigation and was founded in 1908. It was later renamed to The Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935 and is now headquartered in the J. Edgar Hoover building in Washington DC. The Bureau serves as an investigative unit as well as an intelligence agency. The Bureau covers all federal crimes that meet a certain criteria that justify involvement. This means that there has to be a federal link of some sort such as the crime occurring on federal property or federally insured funds. They deal with international smuggling, interstate crimes, kidnapping, serial killers, and bank robbery. This agency has been the backbone of The United States Department of Justice since the 1930’s when it was reformed into the agency it is today. Most high profile crimes today are handled by the FBI and Secret Service.NATURE OF WORKThe work of a FBI agent is very taxing on ones social life. Due to some of the secrecy of the job some relationships can suffer greatly. Agents are often called away at odd hours for sometimes terrible crimes. Agents often experience PTSD or other psychological disorders. Upon receiving a position agents can be assigned to various locations around the world depending on the type section of investigation one is assigned to. Agents in the FBI deal with the widest array of criminal activities ranging from kidnappings, murder, fraud, theft, arms trafficking, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. This variety of investigative work allows agents to move around the Bureau and experience a greater array of experience. HIRING PROCESSThe Hiring process for the FBI is the most rigorous and intense process of these three agencies. One must have a perfectly clear record, be in top physical condition, and have a high cognitive process. After an initial application is submitted and considered, an extensive background investigation is conducted that will cover everything since your 18th birthday. You will be asked to provide 3 references for every address you have lived at, job you had, and every school semester you attended. You are not allowed to use the same person twice for each category. They will ask almost anyone you have ever known about your history and attitude. While the investigation is being conducted, candidates will go through various phases such as drug testing, panel interviews, polygraph examinations, and PT tests. The first panel interview is conducted with three current supervisory agents. These agents will ask question about your skill level, education history, and criminal background. Upon progressing to later phases in the process candidates will be required to take observation tests where a video will be played and the candidate will have to recall as many facts as possible on a written test. While all of the initial phases are being administered a group of questions is being put together for the candidates polygraph. This is said to be the most intense hiring requirement in the Federal Government. An applicant must have at least a bachelor’s degree, 3 years work experience, no prior criminal history or any kind, and be 21 years of age.TRAININGAfter a candidate passes the rigorous hiring process, one is sent to Quantico, Virginia to the FBI training facility which sits next to the DEA training facility. There trainees will go through an 18 week program where they will learn investigative techniques, tactical firearms training, advanced driver training, hostage negotiation, criminal psychology, and PT training. A unique piece of training that FBI trainees receive is a trip to Hogan Alley. This a mock town set up on the outskirts of the facility that is used to simulate crimes with actors, buildings, and real life scenarios. This allows for realistic training and gives trainees a realistic experience so they may see what work is like in the field. This controlled environment allows for a safe environment but still creates that same adrenaline rush that would be experienced in the field. In the course work leading up to this, trainees must maintain an 85 percent performance score. If one falls short of this requirement they will be given one warning before they are removed from the program and will no longer be considered for an Agent position.EQUPIMENTEquipment used by FBI Special Agents is relatively standard. They use basic weapons found in most law enforcement agencies. They carry various had guns, rifles, shotguns, and protective gear. There is no commonly used specialized gear that is used among agents despite the scope of work that they are involved in. HANDGUNSFBI agents are allowed to carry a much larger selection of handguns as opposed to DEA agents. These weapons are listed and pictured bellow:All Sig Saur modelsSub Compact GlocksHK USP TacticalSmith & Wesson revolversApproved Model 1911 pistolsSmith & Weson M&P series SIG SAUR P226GLOCK 27HK USP TACTICALSMITH AND WESSON MODEL 1911SMITH & WESSON M&PRIFLES/SHOTGUNSUnlike the selection of handguns, the rifle/ shotgun selection is very limited. Agents are only allowed to carry the Colt M4. This is because Colt has a government contract with the FBI. Colt provides weapons for the agents that are inscribed with “Law Enforcement Only” and “FBI (Division to which the weapon is assigned). They also carry the Mossberg 500 shotgun. It is similar to the Remington 870 carried by DEA and CBP but it also is a contractual weapon from the manufacturer. COLY M4A1MOSSBERG 500CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROLCBP was patrolling as early as 1908. They specialize in human and drug trafficking over our international borders. Mexico is the biggest hotspot for trafficking of drugs due to the extreme violence between cartels fighting over trafficking routes with other cartels. People in Mexico often are not provided with the same opportunities as people in American and often turn to crime as an easy way out. The life expectancy for a person involved in drug trafficking in Mexico is about 6 years from the day they start. Border Patrol Agents are tasked with securing and protecting our borders so they may regulate the traffic of immigrants, drugs, goods, and currency that come across the border into the United States. NATURE OF WORKOne could expect to deal with mostly illegal aliens crossing the border or trafficking drugs. Because of the extreme violence and large amounts of money that are encountered, an Agent for the CBP is always in a state of uncertainty and danger. Any person that is encountered crossing the border in an open area is a threat. The Agent does not know if they are crossing with survival supplies or if they are heavily armed and transporting dangerous drugs. Agents always work in groups and are armed. Agents are vastly assigned to the southern border of the United States and Mexico in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. HIRING PROCESS/ REQUIREMENTSThe hiring process for the CBP is the shortest but the most extremely investigative background check performed in the Federal Government. This is due to the fact that CBP Agents are on the front line where crime is taking place. If one Agent becomes corrupt, it could cause a serious threat to national security. Candidates must complete a PT test, which is also seen as the easiest in the Federal Government. TRAININGCandidates accepted into the program are sent to Atresia, New Mexico to take part in a 98 day training course, which is the shortest of all Federal Agencies. Agents will take part in a 58 day resident course where they will be trained in the use of fire arms, off road driving techniques, PT training, Federal law statues, immigration laws, and tracking skills. Agents who are not fluent in Spanish will have to take part in a 40 day application course to learn basic language components to help them understand people they encounter. EQUIPMENTThe Equipment used by the CBP is unique compared to other agencies. CBP agents carry specialized hand guns that are quite expensive but extremely reliable. HK P2000 pistol is a versatile weapon and extremely durable in any environment. This weapon was chosen because the large majority of Agents are stationed on the Mexican border where it is dry and full of sand, which is any firearm’s enemy. Some Agents carry the Colt M4A1 assault rifle for dangerous encounters with larger groups of people crossing the border to better control the situation. The Remington 870 Shotgun is also carried by CBP Agents. This weapon is used when an Agent finds vehicles, hole, tunnels, and areas with heavy foliage. These Weapons are Pictured Below: HK P2000COLT M4A1 REMINGTON 870 TACTICALCONCLUSIONThe DEA, FBI, and CBP are all excellent agencies to seek employment with. The DEA requires a long hiring process, excellent training but is limited to a particular type or work. The FBI requires an intense and long background investigation, a very long training program, and very high standards. The CBP has a short and easy training program, simple weapons and a small location basis. Depending on what a graduate is looking for, any of these agencies are an excellent choice to pursue. A graduate should decide not on the benefits as they all receive the same benefit package, but by what it takes to receive a position. If a graduate is looking for an easier rid one should apply to the CBP. If a graduate is looking for a more intense and greater variety of work, one should apply to DEA or FBI. Any agency that it chosen is an excellent decision and is a secure career for anyone who qualifies. ReferencesUnited States Department of JusticeFederal Bureau of InvestigationDrug Enforcement AdministrationCustoms and Border PatrolGallery of guns- All pictures creditedTaylor Westfall- Personal knowledge and experience within the Drug Enforcement Administration. ................
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