The major duty of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), both in Minnesota and across the country, is to act as the law enforcement arm of the federal judiciary. This includes serving these functions:
- Witness security through the Witness Security Program
- Prisoner operations through Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities
- Fugitive investigations and operations
- Tactical operations, which include responding to homeland security and other national emergencies
Court locations in Minnesota include St. Paul, Duluth and Fergus Falls.
Requirements to Become a U.S. Marshal in Minnesota
The U.S. Marshals Service in Minnesota hires only during open recruitment/hiring events. As such, it is important for individuals who want to learn how to become U.S. marshals to check the USMS website for information on upcoming hiring programs.
Before applying for a job as a U.S. marshal in Minnesota, however, individuals interested in attaining U.S. marshal jobs should first ensure they meet the agency’s minimum requirements for employment. Specifically, candidates must be between the ages of 21 and 36; they must be United States citizens; they must be in excellent physical condition; they must possess a valid driver’s license; and they must be able to pass a comprehensive background investigation.
Individuals must also qualify at the GL-7 federal level, which includes: possessing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with superior academic achievement; or possessing at least one full year of graduate-level study in a program related to law enforcement (social science; criminology; sociology; criminal justice, police science, etc.); or possessing at least one year of specialized experience at the GL-5 level; or possessing a combination of education and experience.
The U.S. Marshals Service, during an open recruitment period, requires that all qualified candidates begin the employment process by taking a competitive examination, a two-part exam that is used to rank eligible candidates. Part 1 one of the examination assesses an individual’s situational judgment. Part 2 requires the candidate to submit a writing sample. Both parts of the examination are standardized and are administered at 15 different locations across the nation. Candidates should expect the test to last between 2 and 3 hours.
Other pre-employment qualifications for U.S. marshal jobs that must be met include: a medical examination, a physical fitness examination, and a structured panel interview.
Training Requirements
Before attending the mandatory basic training program through the USMS, new hires should ensure they are in excellent physical condition. Due to the demanding nature of the training, which is 17 ½ weeks in length, the USMS strongly encourages all trainees to ensure they are physically fit before attend training.
In addition to physical conditioning and tactical training, new trainees are required to complete a number of programs within their basic training program, including defensive tactics, legal training, search and seizure, first aid, physical conditioning, and firearms training, just to name a few.
Operation Falcon in Minnesota
The U.S. marshals in Minnesota form and oversee a number of operations/task forces that help advance their mission of providing federal law enforcement services. One such program was Operation Falcon, which resulted in 258 arrests in Minnesota in 2009, 18 of which were sex offenders. Operation Falcon, which was one of the largest fugitive initiatives ever focused on capturing individuals who were wanted on felony charges.
Since its nationwide inception, Operation Falcon resulted in more than 91,000 arrests and cleared nearly 118,000 warrants, making it the most successful fugitive apprehension program in U.S. Marshals history.
The U.S. Marshals Service operates in Minnesota under of District that is organized into six divisions. The U.S. Marshals Service headquarters are Minnesota is located in Minneapolis, with sub-offices located in Duluth and St. Paul.