Transitioning From Local Police to Federal Officer/Agent/Pros and Cons

This short video explains how to best use local police experience in considering a federal law enforcement position. The pros and cons of the move are considered as well as which type of federal positions you may be qualified to enter.

[@MrTeamkikz]

Sir, you are very knowledgeable. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

Thanks.

[@ivanlowjones]

I spent 25 years as a State Police Trooper. After I was retired a few years, I was hired as a GS-0083 Dept of Navy Police Officer and I attended FLETC UPTP in Artesia, NM. Civilian/real world policing is often 180° opposite from federal government policing. The Dept of Navy is very outdated in its equipment, policies and procedures, and training. Arresting military members under the UCMJ vs civilians under the U.S Code or local state laws is challenging to say the least. I've seen high ranking Navy enlisted and officers get a slap on the wrist for misdemeanor level crimes (shoplifting, domestic assault, destruction of property, etc.). Civilian gov't employees are simply fired and barred from the military installation instead of being charged criminally for crimes like theft, drug possession, or even fighting in a workplace. I definitely had higher expectations of doing law enforcement when I was hired. The Navy emphasis is more on Anti-Terrorism Force Protection of the installation vs real policing. We work side by side with Navy M.A's (Master at Arms) and they can sometimes be intimidated by higher ranking senior personnel. Civilian Navy police on the other hand, can politely tell them not to confuse their rank with our authority. All in all, its not a bad gig for retired LEO's like myself. Decent government pay to supplement your prior LE retirement and a second gov't retirement check after a few years, especially if you're a military veteran like me with civil service veterans preference seniority.

[@ShawOutlaw]

How did you find UPTP in comparison to State Police training? Going down to Glynco soon and the only other training I’ve attended is MSP’s.

[@ivanlowjones]

@@ShawOutlaw Is this a serious question? State Police academies are similar to military boot camps. UPTP was like Boy Scout summer camp at least for me. If you're prior military or civilian LE, it won't be challenging at all. If you've done neither then you still shouldn't have any issues as long you pay attention in classes and to the other instructors. Which government agency do you work for?

[@ShawOutlaw]

@@ivanlowjones It was actually a serious question, I was letting my nerves get to me as the only thing I went through before this was a state police academy. I did just go down for UPTP and you're totally right about the Boy Scout feel. I'm out of the DC Area now.

[@ivanlowjones]

@@ShawOutlaw Were you an actual State Trooper? if so, then you should've known that FLETC doesn't even begin to compare to any State Police Academy. I had several guys from the DC area in my FLETC class, mostly in the DC and Maryland area.

[@marinecorp179]

I did two Academies, on in Maryland and another in Virginia. What do you mean FLETC is like a boy scout camp, you ain't getting ripped apart like Boot Camp everyday getting smoked, you're actually able to learn? @@ivanlowjones

[@JM-dk4ec]

Federal is the way to go to do law enforcement nowadays. Being local officer is not worth it anymore I rather go through the red tape with the federal government than deal with local politicians. I’m currently attending college and will finish my bachelors this fall semester hopefully customs and border protection picks me up. I wanted to get into NYPD but that job is dead.

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

I agree.

[@JM-dk4ec]

@@thomasryan2679 What department are those?, pretty much all departments here in NY are boot camp like.

[@jonathanpersaud9175]

@@JM-dk4ec did customs and borders work out?

[@JM-dk4ec]

@@jonathanpersaud9175 sadly it didn’t. I got to the polygraph stage and failed. I know work for the u.s department of labor

[@jonathanpersaud9175]

@@JM-dk4ec thinking about trying again? I know the wait time is 2 years after failing the poly. Also jj alumni?

[@clearlywake5690]

Appreciate your help.

[@jeromesarinas4718]

Sir Would you do a lecture about Federal Reserve police? Thank you Sir.

[@ShawOutlaw]

Adding a note to the eligibilities, I applied to the FBI with a Bachelors in CJ and a 3.0 gpa but was given a rejection stating I did not have at least 3 years experience in a job requiring a degree.

[@DustDevilRage]

How old are you?

[@ShawOutlaw]

@@DustDevilRage 25

[@DustDevilRage]

@@ShawOutlaw Good deal. Glad you replied. Have you looked at any other agencies besides FBI?

[@ShawOutlaw]

@@DustDevilRage I’ve been looking at Capitol Police, they might be a good bet

[@DustDevilRage]

@@ShawOutlaw You ought to be looking at everything you can. ATF, DEA, Customs, Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, Secret Service, US Marshals…..ect. You did CJ degree, what are you doing or where have you been working since college graduation? Sorry I haven’t replied earlier.

[@NightFight164]

Thanks 4 the advise….

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

Nice

[@bobc7800]

Great videos and insight! What’s your take on the best federal security / investigation careers for retired military or state-local LEOs?

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

It would depend on your age and education level. The best jobs for retired military enlisted were in my group my last few years in DC. They were tech specialists paid at GS-13 with availability pay and a take home car plus their E-7/E-8 retired pay they did better than I did!.

[@bobc7800]

@@federallawenforcementcaree9900 Thank you. Master’s Degree, will be retiring with 25yrs of service in local LE and have about the same in the reserves. I have a lot of familiarity with DoD agencies providing “support” work but am trying to see what else is out there. Thanks again.

[@WhatTheFawnz]

Thanks for great insight sir!

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

Thank you.

[@legendarymilkman9800]

Hello sir thanks for the great videos, I'm curious now after watching a few of them if any of these federal jobs would be able to match a metropolitan department like LAPD? As I see it through public salary viewings many officers after five years make 100k+ with their large overtime availability and that's something that interests me greatly that the 70k federal jobs don't. Am I missing something important here or will locality pay be able to match that? I'm currently finishing up my BA and will be joining the national guard so I'll be considering both.

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

Federal pay for law enforcement officers includes base pay (basic grade and step), locality pay (differs from one location to the next), law enforcement availability pay for most officers and agents which amounts to 25% of your pay added to your salary to compensate for uncontrollable overtime) and for jobs that require night shifts, Sunday Pay, Holiday Pay, that is added as well. Some positions are Fair Labor Standards Act Exempt and others are not.

[@BuiltForSin0]

Dude, LAPD pay is trash salary for the CoL, and it's a 5k bump every year. They do not clear base pay of 100k till at least 6-8 years in, and they normally have to work stupid overtime cause of CoL. Federal pay translates across the united states. Imagine making 130k+ in Texas, or Nevada as an 1811....yea. Stomps on local PD's salary for sure, maybe not in Cali bay area departments, but everywhere else. Just my take, also Federal LE work is more cush, and more focused on the mission. Local or state cop, your pretty much chasing every small violation that sneaks by and taking a lot of BS calls that leads to you being a counseling people instead of policing.

[@lukebancroft5649]

DuPage county resident in the house! Almost done with the academy now

[@BlackFeather416.]

I want to become a U.S Marshal when I get older

[@fgh1207]

My man , transitioning military reserve to CBP officer 👮‍♀️

[@douglaspolanco4154]

Excellent video.. Great job sir!

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

Thanks

[@jdog0341]

One can go from fed agency to fed agency and all benefits will follow them. Local may not be the case.

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

Yes. If you transfer from border patrol to DEA, all of your years count for retirement and you receive all the benefits you would have based on your creditable years of service. You are correct about local. That time does not count federally.

[@jdog0341]

@@federallawenforcementcaree9900 the one thing that sucked in my situation, is I lost my 6C coverage.

[@TheCollegeMuscle]

Miss ya bud!

[@JarrisVonzombie]

What about federal law enforcement jobs for retired state/ city law enforcement officers over 45? During my research I was told by recruiters to look at entry level GS 6/7 police officer positions with VA Police, DoD Police, and the GS/GL 9 Supervisory Police Officer positions with the BIA Police ( there is indian preference but they do hire non-indian applicants) because they all do not have age restrictions, meaning a person that is over 40 and/ or in their early 50's can apply and be hired. Is this a true statement as far as you know? That would be a great video regarding age restrictions within federal law enforcement and the secondary law enforcement criteria.

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

The best bet for a retired state/local over 37 would be the agencies that do not have an age limit, such as the VA and/or DOD police. There is a bill in Congress to address the issue and place these officers on the same retirement plan as other federal law enforcement, but it never seems to go anywhere.

[@michaelolszak2197]

What are the benefits of federal police versus local pd

[@ad4rmtheave359]

Does military law enforcement count as police experience for the dea 🤔

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

It would not count as investigative experience unless you were a CID Special Agent. It would count as relevant experience for other agencies such as the Border Patrol, Capitol Police, etc.

[@kylewray169]

What are your opinions on getting a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology for trying to get onto a Federal Agency? I have my eyes on the U.S. Marshals Service

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

I am going to do the next one on moving from college to the federal govt. The USMS hires sporadically, but they do not require a degree. They actually can hire someone at GS-5 level, which is the lowest grade for law enforcement in the federal service. If you go for the USMS, it will be a great job overall. Early in your career, you will do quite a lot of prisoner transport and court security. As you progress, you can move to a fugitive squad or task force.

[@kylewray169]

@@federallawenforcementcaree9900 awesome I look forward to that next video!

[@stephenhall5115]

@@federallawenforcementcaree9900 lately the USMS has been picking up a lot of lateral hires from other agencies . However, with the USMS there is no rhyme or reason on how they hire sometimes .

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

Any major that you are interested in is fine. Some agencies need applicants with psychology (FBI) or other degrees. Physical sciences, accounting, computers, foreign languages are all useful.

[@stupidmilkshake4887]

Get a bachelors in a STEM field

[@arejayheix]

I didn’t hear FPS, FAMS, or a few others.

[@luisdominguez4506]

Thank you for your videos sir. If you have 6 years patrol experience with a high school diploma can you work for the DEA.

[@manglepop]

would they consider a 2.8 gpa bachelor degree with 6 years of service as an E6? Also currently working on a Masters degree

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

Yes. The one year of graduate school will qualify for you for the GS7 level. What agency are you interested in applying to?

[@manglepop]

@@federallawenforcementcaree9900 secret service, FBI and marshal service (any of those will be fine with me)

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

@@manglepop Secret Service uniformed div is currently hiring and this could be used to move to the GS1811 position.

[@manglepop]

@@federallawenforcementcaree9900 thanks for your guidance. I'm still in active duty service so I'll apply now with a statement of service and see what happens. Hoping for the best

[@federallawenforcementcaree9900]

@@manglepop Good luck.

[@dasplanggukas958]

How can I reach out to you, I have so much questions.

[@DustDevilRage]

Like what kinda questions?

[@BriscoeMasonMusic]

you forgot FBI police, CIA Police, and NSA Police. no degrees needed

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

Not true

[@BriscoeMasonMusic]

@@emmanuelawosusi2365 how do you figure that?

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

@@BriscoeMasonMusic because it federal agencies

[@BriscoeMasonMusic]

@@emmanuelawosusi2365 you need a degree to be federal agent. But to be federal police you don’t. I just applied and interviewed brotha

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

@@BriscoeMasonMusic maybe for border patrol