The Secret Service agents of Louisiana’s Secret Service field offices located in Baton Rouge (225-925-5436) and New Orleans (504-841-3260) are hard at work carrying out both the investigative and protective missions of this federal law enforcement agency. Additionally, as indicated in recent headlines, one of the most important missions for Secret Service agents in Louisiana is the investigation of cyber-attacks.
According to a 2010 report, there were more than 16 million attempted cyber-attacks aimed at Louisiana’s government databases every year. The same year a cyber-attack resulted in personal information and Social Security numbers of more than 56,000 emergency medical technicians being compromised.
Experience and Education Requirements
Minimum requirements for those interested in learning how to become Secret Service agents in Louisiana include being a United States citizen, being at least 21 years old (and no older than 36), possessing a valid driver’s license, and possessing excellent hearing and vision.
Individuals who want to meet the experience/education requirements of the federal GL-7 level may do so by pursuing a bachelor’s degree. There are a number of bachelor degrees that allow candidates for Secret Service agent jobs to achieve a solid foundation of knowledge that will help them succeed in this field.
For example, a four-year bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration enables students to become authorities on the operational and technical aspects of the criminal justice system. These programs also allow students to learn evidence-based techniques needed for preventing and investigating crime.
Courses in a criminal justice administration program often include:
- Law Enforcement Operations and Management
- Criminal Investigation
- Comparative Criminal Justice
- Psychology of Violence and Aggression
- Criminal Nature
- Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
- Issues in Law Enforcement
- Crime Analysis
- Multicultural Issues in Society
Candidates may also qualify for Secret Service jobs in Louisiana if they possess at least one year of graduate-level study or at least one year of specialized experience at the GL-5 level, with specialized experience referring to work in investigations, surveillance, undercover operations, or evidnece organization.
Individuals who want to meet the minimum requirements for Secret Service agent jobs in Louisiana at the GL-9 level must either possess a master’s degree (or LLB or JD degree) or at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-7 level.
Training for Secret Service Careers in Louisiana
The Secret Service has an extensive training program in place for new Secret Service agents. Between the initial training phase and the advanced training program, new hires are expected to complete about 28 weeks of training.
The Secret Service also provides ongoing training for its team of Secret Service agents throughout their careers. Much of the training for new and existing Secret Service agents occurs at the James J. Rowley Training Center, which is located just outside Washington D.C.
Secret Service agents complete everything from firearms marksmanship and emergency medical techniques to water survival training and technology-based training.
Combating High-Tech Crimes in Louisiana
Recently U.S-based banking conglomerate JP Morgan Chase announced in December 2013 that nearly 465,000 personal pre-paid users’ card information were accessed through its network. Some of the information was stolen, although it is not clear how much. The cards were used to pay employees, for government agencies issuing credit tax refunds and for unemployment compensation. Affected state agencies included the Louisiana Department of Revenue, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. It is estimated that nearly 15,000 people in Louisiana were affected by this cyber-attack.
During the same month, a Louisiana man was sentenced to prison for producing and trafficking fake credit cards in Waveland. The Secret Service and the Waveland Police worked together on the investigation, leading to the man’s indictment on a federal charge.