U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) operations in Washington State include fugitive investigations, transporting prisoners, judicial security, witness security, asset forfeiture, and special missions and programs.
The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, which is overseen by the USMS Western District of Washington, is the primary, ongoing U.S. Marshals special program in the state. It is a multi-agency partnership that combines resources to aid in the capture of dangerous and violent offenders.
The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of a number of federal, state and local law enforcement partners, including the Arlington Police Department, the King County Sheriff’s Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Seattle Police Department.
USMS operations in Washington are divided into two districts:
- Western District of Washington: Seattle headquarters, with sub-offices located in Vancouver and Tacoma
- Eastern District of Washington: Spokane headquarters, with sub-offices in Yakima and Richland.
Requirements to Become a U.S. Marshal in Washington
The road to becoming a U.S. marshal in Washington begins with meeting the requirements of the USMS. Similar to other federal law enforcement careers, U.S. marshals are called upon to provide security, law enforcement, and investigative services; therefore, requirements are clearly defined:
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must be between the ages of 21 and 36
- Must possess a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license
- Must be in top, physical and medical condition
- Must meet the minimum qualifications of the GL-7 federal pay level:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with superior academic achievement; OR
- At least one year of graduate-level study in a field related to law enforcement, such as criminal justice, sociology, or criminology; OR
- At least one year of specialized law enforcement/criminal investigative experience equivalent to the GL-5 level; OR
- An acceptable combination of education and experience
Individuals may not qualify for U.S. marshal jobs in Washington if:
- They have felony convictions
- They have misdemeanor domestic violence convictions
- They are unable to achieve and maintain firearms proficiency
- They cannot pass the USMS fitness standards
- They cannot pass a background investigation
- They do not have 20/20 binocular vision (corrected or uncorrected)
- They are color blind
- They do not have acceptable hearing
- They have a number of disqualifying conditions, including:
- Diabetes
- Convulsive disorders
- Hernias
- Orthopedic conditions affecting strength, stability, mobility, and/or flexibility
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
The Application and Training Process for U.S. Marshals
The USMS accepts applications and resumes only during times of open recruitment. Individuals may find information on upcoming recruiting/hiring dates by checking the USMS website or by contacting a local USMS field office.
The USMS reviews applications and resumes from individuals interested in becoming a U.S. marshal in Washington and invites all qualified candidates to take a two-part competitive exam. From there, qualified candidates are required to complete a background investigation, physical fitness evaluation, and a panel interview, among others, before being hired with the USMS.
The last stage of the employment process includes basic academy training, a 17 ½ week program that is held at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. This physically intensive program includes seven exams and a final physical fitness evaluation. Topics covered during basic training include: driver training, computer training, legal training, search and seizure training, firearms training, and defensive tactics training, among others.