How To Be Part Of The Diplomatic Service
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A Diplomatic Security Agent Position can Satisfy your Desire to be Part of Law Enforcement and your Interest in Working Overseas
Federal law enforcement agents need to be able to work outside of the US to follow up on security threats and aid in international security programs, and a diplomatic security special agent is exactly the person to do it. There are also other positions offered in the diplomatic security bureau, which are as couriers, in the civil service and as security engineering officers. There are many opportunities with rewarding starting salaries of $37,000-$52,000, with an added 25% of law enforcement availability pay (LEAP), so get the required training to start this lucrative career.
Necessary Education
To be considered for a role in this bureau, you at least need to obtain a bachelors degree in a relevant field. Criminal justice, foreign affairs or political science are some recommendations, but a similar criminal justice degree would suffice. You should also consider acquiring an additional language, since the more languages you can speak, the more opportunities you would have. If you were accepted, you would also have to pass a series of exams: written, verbal, physical and mental, to ensure your competency, and you would need to show a willingness to travel and carry firearms if need be. Finally, you would be put through 6 months of rigorous training starting in Washington and then held at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Your training would cover areas like criminal law, investigative procedures, first aid, firearms usage and personal protection methods. You would also train for international assignments covering things like counterintelligence, electronic security, medical assistance, how to investigate cases of arson or explosives and security management.
Career Objectives
Essentially diplomatic security agents are dispatched around the country and overseas to ensure that all American policies and laws are adhered to and to be sure that diplomacy can carry on in a secure setting. Compared to other careers in criminal justice you can expect much more traveling. Agents will oversee all aspects of security, including running security programs, establishing procedures to protect all people and facilities involved and advising ambassadors on such policies and security measures. If the agent is stationed within the country, their mandate changes to investigating cases of passport and visa fraud, conducting staff investigations and protecting any foreign minister and the Secretary of State. As a new agent, you would probably be assigned to a position within the country for the first 2 years before graduating to an overseas contract. Diplomatic security may specialize in foreign affairs, but it is as necessary at home as around the world.
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