The U.S. Marshals Service in the state of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest branches in the country, serving the state since 1789. Today, U.S. Marshals serve three distinct districts: Eastern, Middle, and Western.
Eastern District — The Eastern District of Pennsylvania includes the cities of Philadelphia, Easton, Allentown, and Reading. U.S. Marshals in the Eastern District perform fugitive investigations, coordinating several local law enforcement task forces throughout the area. These task forces include:
- U.S. Marshal Philadelphia Fugitive Task Force
- U.S. Marshal and Reading / Berks County Fugitive Task Force
- Lancaster County Fugitive Task Force
In addition to these multi-agency task forces focused on fugitive investigation and apprehension, U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia also work as part of the High Density Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. This Federal National Drug Control Enforcement Command Agency works to identify and arrest felony fugitives linked directly to drug-related crimes in an effort to help fight the nation’s war on drugs.
Middle District — The Middle District of Pennsylvania includes the major cities of Scranton, Williamsport, and Harrisburg. U.S. Marshals in the Middle District of Pennsylvania fulfill a number of duties associated with the U.S. Marshals Service, including the coordination of local law enforcement task forces in all of the major cities in the district. They are as follows:
- Harrisburg Fugitive Task Force
- Williamsport Fugitive Task Force
- Scranton Fugitive Task Force
Western District — The Western District of Pennsylvania includes the major cities of Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown.
U.S. Marshals in the Western District of Pennsylvania oversee the Western PA Fugitive Task Force, a multi-agency task force that works to locate and apprehend felons within the 25 counties of western Pennsylvania. These felons are often wanted on charges on of firearms, narcotics, and violent crimes.
How to Become an US Marshal in Pennsylvania
Individuals interested in pursuing career opportunities in the U.S. Marshals within the state of Pennsylvania must meet the following minimum requirements for service:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must be between the ages of 21 and 36
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Meet the GL-07 level education or specialized experience requirements.
To meet the GL-07 experience requirements for U.S. Marshals jobs, candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with documented superior academic achievement or one year of graduate level study in a field closely related to law enforcement.
Candidates interested in learning how to become a U.S. Marshal should also have one year of specialized experience in an area of law enforcement or criminal investigations. A combination of education and experience may also be accepted.
Candidates who meet these requirements and are selected to continue the application process, will submit to the following:
- Structured interview and assessments
- Physical examination
- Background investigation
Candidates selected for U.S. Marshals service in the state of Pennsylvania will be required to attend the demanding 17 ½ week U.S. Marshals Service Basic Training Academy in Glynco, GA. Trainees will be tested through 7 exams, including a FIT test, throughout the duration of the training program and candidates must pass all of them with a 70% or higher in order to graduate.