Known as the most versatile and oldest law enforcement agency in the nation, the federal marshals have been in existence since 1789. If you are thinking about becoming a US Marshal you’re in great company. The US federal marshal department offers a wide array of jobs and positions for people who are interested in working in law enforcement. That said, the following is an overview of what US marshals do, the US marshal job description, the US marshal employment requirements, and other facts related to becoming a US marshal.
What Do the US Marshals Do?
With regard to working for US marshals, asking what do the US marshals do is a bit of a loaded question. As mentioned, the US marshals are one of the most versatile law enforcement offices in existence. In other words, the job description of a US marshal varies depending on what role they are assigned to. That said, the following is a list of the various positions you can work in the US Marshals department:
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- Prisoner Transportation: One answer to the question as to what do US marshals do is transport prisoners. Some US marshals are paid to transport prisoners from prisons to the courthouse and vice versa. Occasionally, they also may have to escort prisoners to one-time events such as funerals.
- Provide Judicial Security: One of the top answers to the question of what do US marshals do is that they provide security to all staff working in the courthouse attorneys, as well as the prisoners, their families, and more.
- Fugitive Operations: If you are wondering about other US marshal duties, they may also be involved in fugitive operations. This means that some US marshals sign up to investigate and apprehend fugitives all over the country.
- Witness Security: One very important to the question of what do the US marshals do is that they provide witness security. This means that some US marshals are tasked with making sure that those who come forward as witnesses are able to remain safe from potentially harmful parties as they testify in federal court. Additionally, they may help enroll these witnesses in witness protection once the trial has ended.
- Asset Forfeiture: Additionally, is you are seeking another US marshal job description, they also assist in asset forfeiture. This means that they may oversee and help confiscate monies and materials that were acquired illegally by convicted criminals.
- Tactical Operations: Another great answer to the question of what do US marshals do is that they are involved in tactical operations. This means that they may be involved in tactical operations that include special missions for homeland security with regard to national emergencies and other emergencies that require federal intervention.
- Prisoner Operations: In addition to all the other positions, some US marshals are also involved in prisoner operations. This means they help oversee the detainment of federal felons across the United States.
How Many US Marshals are There?
If you are wondering how many US marshals there are, the answer tends to slightly vary. However, searching for an answer as to how many US Marshals are there, you will see that there are at least 3900 deputy US Marshals currently working for the federal government.
How to Become a Deputy US Marshal
If you are interested in how to become a US Marshal, you need to complete the following steps and requirements:
- Minimum Age: You must be between the ages of 21 and 36 to become a US Marshal.
- Education Requirements: Those who wish to become a US marshal must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or they must have specialized experience at the GL-5 level for at least one year. They must also have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA in major courses and a 3.0 in minor courses.
- Medical Examination/ Background Check: If you want to become a US marshal you must be able to a medical examination and extensive background check.
- Complete Training: Lastly, every applicant must successfully complete a 17½-week training program with the United States Marshals Service Training Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, before they are able to begin working in the field.
Overall, working for the US marshal department is a great career option for those who are interested in working in law enforcement. Not only do these positions provide employees with a challenging yet rewarding work environment, but it is also a versatile and great paying department, making it possible for many to work as a US marshal for the entirety of their career.
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