Every year, the United States Marshal Service makes more than 50 percent of all federal fugitive arrests. That’s more than all other federal law enforcement agencies combined. In 2013 alone, the U.S. Marshals Service served more than 45,000 warrants at the state and local level and more than 38,000 at the federal level.
The importance and value of the U.S. Marshals Service in Connecticut is just as great as it is across this federal law enforcement agency’s 93 other districts.
The headquarters of the Connecticut District of the U.S. Marshals Service is located in New Haven, with additional field offices in Bridgeport, Hartford, and Waterbury. Federal courthouses in Connecticut are also located in New Haven, Waterbury, Bridgeport, and Hartford.
In addition to the U.S. marshal career opportunities that exist through the District’s four field offices, marshals in the state also oversee the Connecticut Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, which coordinates efforts at the federal, state and local levels when seeking to bring fugitives to justice. The Connecticut District of the U.S. Marshals Service allows federal law enforcement agencies to pool their resources and their manpower to work toward the common goal of tracking down the state’s most wanted fugitives and bringing them to justice.
Qualifying to Become a Connecticut-Based U.S. Marshal
Individuals who want to pursue a career in this esteemed federal law enforcement agency must meet the USMS’s minimum requirements for employment. These include being a United States citizen, being between the ages of 21 and 36, and possessing a valid and current driver’s license.
U.S. marshals are hired at a minimum federal pay grade of GL-7; therefore, to become a U.S. marshal in Connecticut, individuals must meet the minimum requirements of the GL-7 level, which include:
- Possessing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with superior academic achievement, which means earning a 3.0 overall GPA, a 3.5 overall GPA in all courses related to the major course of study, and graduating in the upper third of the class; OR
- Possessing at least one full year of graduate study in a field related to law enforcement, such as:
- Criminal justice
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Forensic psychology
- Public safety
- Public administration
- Emergency management; OR
- Possessing at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-5 federal pay level; specialized experience includes law enforcement/criminal investigation, including executing warrants, completing search and seizure activities, planning and carrying out criminal investigation, and dealing with the public, subordinates, and prisoners; OR
- An acceptable combination of education and experience
Individuals who meet the minimum requirements for employment must first apply to become a U.S. marshal during a recruitment period and complete a U.S. Marshal Competitive Exam. The exam is used to rank individuals based on their knowledge and skills.
From there, chosen candidates must successfully complete a physical fitness assessment, a medical examination, and a background investigation, among others. According to the USMS, the entire employment process may take anywhere from 9 to 12 months.
Completing Mandatory U.S. Marshal In-Service Training
All new U.S. marshal hires must complete a 17 ½ week course of training conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia.
Due to the physically demanding nature of U.S. Marshal Basic Training, the USMS strongly encourages new trainees to enter training in top, physical condition. All new hires must pass a physical fitness test given by USMS personnel within six months of attending training. Further, all individuals must be available to attend training within 160 days of applying, so becoming physically fit should be a priority for all new hires.
Just a few of the topics covered in U.S. marshal basic training includes:
- Legal training
- Court security
- Driver training
- Officer survival
- Building entry and search
- High threat trials
- Computer training
- Protective service training