The U.S. Marshals Service in the District of Columbia is organized according to the Federal Court system. Washington, D.C. constitutes one of this federal law enforcement agency’s 94 districts. However, U.S. marshal career opportunities in Washington D.C. can be found in either the District Court or the Superior Court.
Education and Experience Requirements to Become a U.S. Marshal in D.C.
Individuals who want to learn how to become a U.S. marshal in Washington D.C. must be able to meet the strict requirements set forth by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS):
- Candidates must be United States citizens.
- Candidates must be between the ages of 21 and 36.
- Candidates must be in excellent physical condition.
- Candidates must possess a valid driver’s license.
Further, candidates for U.S. marshal jobs at the GL-7 federal level must possess one of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with superior academic achievement (3.0 overall GPA, 3.5 GPA in major course of study); OR
- One full year of graduate study in a program related to law enforcement (i.e., criminology, criminal science, sociology, police science, homeland security, etc.); OR
- One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-5 federal level; specialized experience must be in criminal investigations, law enforcement, apprehension, search and seizure, and related activities; OR
- A combination of education and experience
Upon applying for a U.S. marshal job in Washington D.C. and submitting an application and resume, qualified candidates must complete a competitive exam, which allows the USMS to rank candidates. From there, chosen candidates must complete the pre-employment process, which includes a complete background investigation, a physical fitness assessment, and a panel interview.
Training Requirements for U.S. Marshals in Washington D.C.
New deputy U.S. marshals in Washington D.C. must complete the 17 ½ week U.S. Marshal Basic Training Academy, which is completed at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. The training program requires many hours of strenuous physical activity and defensive tactics training; therefore, the USMS stresses the importance of arriving to basic training in excellent physical condition.
For example, trainees are required to participate in running distances that may range from 1.5 to 10 miles in length, to complete repeated calisthenics, including sit-ups, push-ups and mountain climbers, and to complete obstacle courses, sprints, and related conditioning activities.
Areas of study at the U.S. Marshals Basic Training Academy include: driver training; physical conditioning; firearms training; defensive tactics; legal training; officer survival; court security; and protective services training, among others.
During the last week of training, all trainees are given a final physical fitness test. Only those students who pass this final test graduate training.
Working in Washington DC’s Superior and District Courts
Washington D.C. Superior Court – Washington D.C. U.S. marshals of the Superior Court created a U.S. Marshals Sex Offender Investigations Squad, which resulted in the capture of 50 sex offenders on violations of sex offender registration laws. The Sex Offender Investigations Squad was created as to enforce the Adam Walsh and Child Safety Protection Act of 2006 and the District of Columbia Registration Act of 1999.
The District of Columbia Superior Court also oversees the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), a multi-agency effort that is focused on investigations for the apprehension of wanted persons. In addition to Washington D.C., U.S. marshals from the Eastern District of Virginia and the District of Maryland coordinate the efforts of this task force.
Washington D.C. District Court – U.S. marshals of Washington D.C.’s District Court made headlines countless times during the last two years for their investigative and enforcement efforts:
- November 2013: Deputy U.S. marshals arrested a foreign fugitive wanted on an outstanding federal warrant involving charges that he abducted his two children and fled to the U.S.
- February 2013: U.S. marshals arrested a fugitive on an outstanding warrant stemming from a large heroin network that took place in the D.D. metro area.
- October 2012: U.S. marshals in Washington D.C. arrested a sex offender wanted on an outstanding warrant involving violating he conditions of his release.