Delaware is the second smallest state in the U.S. Consequently, local police departments tend to be smaller which creates a greater need to work cooperatively with federal law enforcement agencies when dealing with organized crime or major crimes with potentially serious consequences. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, there are over 142 (2011 figure) federal law enforcement officers with arrest and firearms authority currently working in Delaware. These dedicated men and women help to ensure that the residents of Delaware live in a safe and lawful environment.
Federal law enforcement agencies active in Delaware include:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) – Wilmington (field office)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Wilmington (district office)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Smyma (state office)
- National Park Service (rangers) – Woodlawn National Monument
- U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) – Rehoboth Beach (station)
- U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) – Wilmington (port of entry)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services – Camden, Milton, Smyma (field offices)
- U.S. Immigration/Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Wilmington (field office)
- U.S. Marshals Service – Wilmington (district office)
- U.S. Secret Service – Wilmington (field office)
Training for Federal Law Enforcement Careers in Delaware
Federal law enforcement jobs in Deleware generally require at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Any post-graduate work or certification training is an additional asset. Delaware has more than a half dozen public and private colleges and universities with degree programs in law- enforcement-oriented fields. These schools are conveniently located throughout the state. A typical Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice is likely to include at least 45 credits in criminal justice courses in addition to the normal general education credits. The follow are an example of typical criminal justice courses:
- Survey of Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Evidence and Procedures
- Computer Operations for Law Enforcement
- Constitutional Law
- Juvenile Justice
- Ethics for Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice
- Research Methods for Criminal Justice
- Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Multicultural Issues
- Administration of Criminal Justice Organizations
National Park Service Finally Comes to Delaware
In March, 2013, President Obama declared “Woodlawn” Delaware’s first national monument, finally bringing the National Park Service to all 50 states. The 1,100-acre parcel is located three miles north of Wilmington in beautiful Brandywine Valley. It was set aside for preservation by its original owner but there has been increasing pressure by developers eager to fill the land with residential and business developments. Fortunately, that fear will now never become a reality. The first national monument declaration includes two other historic sites: the New Castle Courthouse and Dover Green where Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution. It is hoped that Woodlawn, a corner of which spills over into Pennsylvania, will eventually become a national park.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services in Delaware
Persons interested in nature and its resources might consider a career with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. The agency is dedicated to preserving the environment and its wildlife by protecting endangered species and enforcing laws governing fish and other wildlife. Areas in Delaware managed by federal Fish and Wildlife agents include:
- Delaware Bay Estuary Project
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
- Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
- Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Successful Local-Federal Law Enforcement Collaborations in Delaware
Since April of 2013, a joint effort of ICE agents and local law enforcement officers has successfully brought about the convictions of five men on charges of child exploitation.
The Delaware Information & Analysis Center in Dover, the state’s “fusion center,” is a vital component of homeland security and a prime example of local-federal law enforcement cooperation. The center is responsible for collecting and distributing information related to threats and potential hazards. It is staffed by four civilian intelligence analysts, two National Guard intelligence analysts and one Homeland Security representative. They are responsible for coordinating state and local law enforcement agencies with such federal agencies as the ATG, DHS, FBI, ICE and the USCG.