How To Become A US Marshall
|
|
Be on the Hunt for Escaped Fugitives as a US Marshall
Being a US marshall is a very focused job that centers around finding escaped fugitives, and so they are responsible for the capture of more fugitives across the country than any other agency; about 55% of all cases. It is an unpredictable job that used to be more focused on protecting the president but has now shifted priorities. It does require a high level of education and it works on the same payscale as all federal jobs. It is also expected to grow at the same rate as other careers in criminal justice, which is about 10-11% until 2018 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Applying to be a US marshall is highly competetive, so obtaining advanced degrees is recommended, but the application process can also take from 6 months to 3 years, so it is best to plan ahead and apply early with all the credentials possible to increase your chances.
Necessary Education
To work as a US marshal absolutely requires at least a 4 year bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement or another relevant field. Your criminal justice degree can be obtained online if you search for accredited schools like Kaplan University, Virginia College Online or American InterContinental University. You should also consider furthering your education to get a masters degree since it will grant you a higher starting salary and more opportunities for advancement. A GS-7 level, which a masters degree will give you, will offer a salary of about $31,000-$39,000, while a GS-5 level which a bachelors degree will give you, is only about $27,000-$34,000. Law enforcement experience of at least 3 years could be substituted for some formal education, but a degree will always guarantee you more opportunities. When you are accepted, you will have even further training for 10 weeks at the US marshals training center for specific job requirements.
Job Description
The overall mandate of a US marshal is to support the federal court. They do this by searching for and capturing fugitives, transporting federal prisoners to other facilities, ensuring the safety of federal witnesses and protecting federal judges. They also control any material goods that are seized in a federal investigation. Their authority and responsibilities are widespread and diverse which is why they need such extensive formal education and job training. A US marshall must maintain complete flexibility and diligence in order to keep up with the many, crucial tasks, and so you need to be sure you are up for any challenge that comes up.
Criminal Justice Degree |
|
