The Eastern and Western Districts of Washington within the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecute cases investigated by a number of federal law enforcement agencies operating out of Washington, including:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Department of Homeland Security – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Internal Revenue Service
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service
As of 2008, 2,285 federal law enforcement officers named the State of Washington as their primary state of employment, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Of these federal law enforcement officers in Washington, the largest group was in the area of criminal investigations, followed closely by the area of inspections and noncriminal investigations and then police response and patrol (490).
Federal Law Enforcement Education and Training in Washington
Many careers in federal law enforcement begin with the completion of a college degree program through a regionally accredited college or university. Many federal law enforcement agencies demand, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree, while still others accept a four-year degree (or higher) in lieu of experience as to meet the minimum requirements for employment.
Beyond the completion of a college degree program, individuals hired by federal law enforcement agencies must usually complete a course of training as set forth by the hiring federal agency. The majority of training at the federal level occurs at one of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) locations.
The closest FLETC training site for federal law enforcement professionals is in Artesia, New Mexico. The FLETC-Artesia is located on 220 acres in the City of Artesia. Just a few of the federal law enforcement agencies that train out of the FLETC-Artesia site include the United States Border Patrol, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Transportation Security Administration.
Careers in Federal Law Enforcement in Washington
Federal agencies in Washington often collaborate with a number of state and local law enforcement agencies to develop programs that best address current issues throughout the state.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has developed the following units, thereby highlighting the presence of federal law enforcement jobs throughout the state:
Complex Crimes Unit
The Complex Crimes Unit investigates and prosecutes white collar crimes, including public corruption, corporate and investment fraud, computer crimes, healthcare fraud, and environmental crime, among others. The Complex Crimes Unit combines its efforts with a number of federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Inspectors General of a number of federal agencies.
The Complex Crimes Unit also works to investigate and prosecute crimes involving the Internet and computers, such as intellectual property violations and Internet fraud. As such, this unit works closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service.
Criminal Enterprises Unit
The Criminal Enterprises Unit focuses its efforts on organized criminal groups in Washington that are involved in both drug and non-drug criminal enterprises in the State of Washington. The U.S. Attorneys of the Criminal Enterprises Unit works with agents from the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, among others.
General Crimes Unit
The General Crimes Unit focuses on reactive criminal cases, including border crimes, thefts, violations of immigration laws, illegal firearms, bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, crimes against children, and crimes of violence. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the General Crimes Unit works with nearly all federal agencies, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies.
Terrorism and Violent Crimes Unit
The Terrorism and Violent Crimes Unit was created to combat terrorism. Working closely with all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the Terrorism and Violent Crimes Unit coordinates the sharing of information related to terrorist activity within Washington.
Federal Law Enforcement Offices in Washington
Washington is home to the following federal law enforcement agency offices:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- Spokane
- Yakima
United States Coast Guard
- Kennewick
- Spokane
- Vancouver
- Ilwaco
- Westport
- Port Orchard
- Bremerton
- Tacoma
- Kent
- Seattle
- Everett
- Port Townsend
- Bellingham
- Neah Bay
- Port Angeles
- La Push
- Silverdale
Bureau of Land Management
- Spokane
- Wenatchee
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Pasco
- Spokane
- Wenatchee
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Spokane
- Yakima
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Lacey
- Seattle
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Spokane
- Yakima
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
- Spokane
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Spokane
- Yakima
Postal Inspection Service
- Seattle
United States Secret Service
- Spokane
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Spokane
United States Forest Service
- Colville
- Wenatchee
- Winthrop
United States Marshals
- Spokane
- Yakima