The original job of the United States Secret Service was to combat counterfeit currency during the Civil War. And, although this federal law enforcement agency has broadened its mission considerably since its earliest days, recent news out of the Omaha, Nebraska field office (402-965-9670) reveals that counterfeit currency is as prolific as it was nearly 150 years ago.
In February 2012, an Omaha man was sentenced to federal prison for counterfeiting. A year before, Nebraska Secret Service agents were alerted to a juvenile who was passing counterfeit bills at his high school by the Bellevue Police Department.
It was discovered, through a lengthy investigation, that a man was printing counterfeit bills on his home computer. A search warrant in the man’s house resulted in the seizure of counterfeit cash totaling nearly $4,000, as well as a printer, paper cutter, computer, a shotgun, a 9mm pistol, and ammunition. It was later revealed that the individual in question was able to pass more than $1,000 in counterfeit currency at nearly 30 locations.
How to Become a Secret Service Agent in Nebraska: Requirements for Employment
Similar to other federal law enforcement agencies, the Secret Service has very stringent requirements for employment. Candidates who want to learn how to become a Secret Service agent in Nebraska and achieve a career with the agency can meet the minimum requirements through either education or experience:
- At least one year of specialized experience (investigations, surveillance, undercover work or evidence organization) equivalent to the GL-5 federal level
- A bachelor’s degree with a proven history of academic excellence (3.0 overall GPA, 3.5 GPA in courses related to the major, and a ranking in the top third of the graduating class)
- At least one year of graduate education above a bachelor’s degree
For individuals without prior experience in the fields of criminal investigations or law enforcement surveillance, the most obvious path to a career as a Secret Service agent is through a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
A number of degree programs are ideal for individuals seeking Secret Service agent jobs in Nebraska. For example, a bachelor’s degree in organizational security and management teaches students management and technical skills in organizational security that can be applied to careers in private and government operations. This type of program provides students with a comprehensive education that includes study in everything from risk management and disaster recovery to homeland security and terrorism.
Upon being hired by the Secret Service, all new agents must complete the agency’s training program. This training program, which is designed to prepare agents to handle both investigative and protective assignments through the Secret Service, is nearly 28 weeks in length. Further, all Secret Service agents must complete regular training throughout their careers, which includes maintaining firearms proficiency.
New Secret Service agents must be prepared to work long and irregular hours, travel often, and conduct both investigative and protective missions.
Secret Service Task Forces in Nebraska
The Secret Service, in addition to its field office agents, has a number of task forces that are focused on specific areas within the agency’s investigation mission. There are two such task forces that operate through the Omaha, Nebraska field office:
- Financial Crimes Task Force: Secret Service agents in Nebraska’s Financial Crimes Task Force work with state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate financial crimes that threaten the nation’s financial payment system.
- Electronic Crimes Task Force: Secret Service agents in Nebraska’s Electronic Crimes Task Force are part of an established network of task forces that are focused on preventing and investigating any number of electronic crimes (cyber-attacks).