Fugitive operations, witness security, judicial security, and criminal investigations are just a few of the many duties performed by the United States Marshal Service (USMS). These duties are often carried out through expertly coordinated task forces and special programs, such as the Wyoming Fugitive Task Force, which is overseen by the Wyoming USMS.
The Wyoming Fugitive Task Force, which was created in 2004, has a clear mission of tracking, locating, and apprehending state and federal fugitives. In addition to the Wyoming U.S. Marshals Service, this task force is composed of a number of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including:
- The Cheyenne Police Department
- The Wyoming Highway Patrol
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation
- The Drug Enforcement Administration
U.S. marshals in Wyoming operate out of the USMS’s Wyoming District, which has its headquarters in Cheyenne and sub-offices in Casper, Lander, Jackson, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
U.S. Marshal Job Requirements and Training
Meeting the Requirements – A typical job description for a U.S. marshal in Wyoming clearly outlines the minimum requirements for this federal law enforcement agency, which include being a United States citizen, being between the ages of 21 and 36, and possessing a valid driver’s license.
All candidates for U.S. marshals jobs in Wyoming must also meet the requirements of the GL-7 federal level, the level at which all deputy U.S. marshals are hired with the U.S. Marshals Service. Individuals may meet the GL-7 minimum requirements through education, experience, or a combination of the two:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with superior academic achievement
OR
- At least one full year of graduate study in a program related to law enforcement, such as criminology, emergency management, homeland security or sociology
OR
- At least one year of specialized law enforcement/criminal investigative experience equivalent to the GL-5 level
OR
- A combination of education and experience
Completing the Hiring Process – Candidates must meet the above minimum requirements for employment by the closing date of the deputy U.S. marshal job announcement. Individuals must meet the USMS three-part evaluation process are placed on a register and are hired based on the needs of the USMS.
The three-part evaluation includes:
- Meeting the minimum requirements for employment
- Completing a two-part competitive examination, which includes an assessment of situational judgment and the completion of a writing sample
- Structured interview – Only qualified candidates will receive an invitation to interview with the USMS.
All other pre-employment qualifications, including the background investigation, the medical examination, and the physical fitness examination, are conducted upon receiving a tentative letter of employment. Tentative letters of appointment are only given based on the agency’s hiring needs.
When applying for a job with the USMS, candidates are given the opportunity to select up to 8 districts and/or locations where they prefer to be assigned. Further, all candidates are required to sign a mobility agreement and may be moved at any time based upon the needs and discretion of the agency.
Participating in Training – Basic training academy training must be completed by all new hires. This course of training, which is 17 ½ weeks long, is conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. All trainees must successfully complete the program, which includes 7 examinations and a final physical fitness test, to achieve career opportunities with the USMS.