cybercrime enforcement in california

[alpine]

Hi all -

I'm considering a career switch to some form of law enforcement. I've got a strong computer background (my current profession), and it would be nice to find an organization where I can put that knowledge to work. I've applied to the FBI and I'm looking at other federal agencies, but being able to remain in sunny California is a big plus for me. To that end, I'm looking for information about California LE agencies (everywhere except LA) with a presence in Cybercrime.

Before anybody jumps on me, I know nobody's going to hire me straight into an investigative role, that I'm going to work patrol and then eventually try to transfer/promote into the position I'm looking for, and that even then, there's no guarantee I'll wind up there. Even so, I'd rather start somewhere with a possible future for my tech skills than somewhere without.

The CHP has a computer crimes investigation unit that I've been able to find out precious little about. I'm not really into working traffic full-time, though, and they're a traffic agency; I think I'd be setting myself up for failure by applying there and praying like hell I got onto a special detail.

CA DOJ is another possibility, but I can't find anything on their website about cyber-related work. It's certainly not one of their major units (narcotics, firearms, gambling, and medical fraud, as spelled out in another active thread here). Also from what I can gather they've stopped hiring people without LE experience; I could always work somewhere else and try to transfer, but I'd feel a little dishonest having some department sink serious cash into hiring and training me just so I could get my 2 years' patrol experience and bail to CA DOJ.

I haven't found much one way or the other regarding county sheriffs and local PDs doing cyber work, but this seems to be my best bet. Any advice?

[ask80]

in regards to federal levels, a lot of agencies do have a cybercrime division, like secret service, postal service. but in regards to local levels, they are usual part of a task force. like here's one for San diego called CATCH

http://www.catchteam.org/

[hbliam]

I have a buddy that's in the FBI. He works cybercrime. He has from day one. I'd go that route if that's what your interest is. Even the local agencies that have cyber units aren't doing anything on the scale of the FBI. And he was able to stay in CA no problem. THe cost of living keeps some agents away.

[jato]

To that end, I'm looking for information about California LE agencies (everywhere except LA) with a presence in Cybercrime.


I think we have 2 Deputy Sheriff's (out of 2000+, -0.1%) attached to the cyber unit. For my department you can expect at least 10 years of duty before you rate such an assignment.

[alpine]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll wait to see how the (very long) FLE hiring process shakes out first, as this sounds much more likely to deliver what I'm looking for.

[LA DEP]

alpine,

You would probably have better luck on the Federal or State level for this type of stuff.....If you want to stay in CA, try CA DOJ....they have several different task forces, and different levels of investigators.....

[L-1]

The Department of Technology Services oversees most of the State of California's computers and is the first to know of any attempts to hack into those systems. They can probably point you in the right direction as to who's who in cybercrime investigations in California and who might be recruiting. You can reach them at:

Department of Technology Services
P.O. Box 1810
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-1810
(916) 657-9974

[avalon42]

I think a few local PDs do this type of cybercrime enforcement...

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local&id=3934590

...only thing I don't like about these is that I can already hear a defense lawyer screaming "ENTRAPMENT!" at the top of his lungs...

...and I'm not even a police officer yet, I'm just studying CJ.

[krzyray]

I am in the same boat as you. I have been working in IT for over 5 years and it's getting boring.

I was thinking of becoming an officer at LAPD or another local agency that has a computer forensics dept.

[Socal-Cop]

I don't know about most local agencies here, but I know our computer forensics department is just starting to take shape .. its mostly been run by part time retired cops .. but now we just made it a full time detective position and I'm sure we will be adding a 2nd spot .. The demand to process computers and cell phones is increasingly growing .. As some of the other guys posted, your best bet would be to look into state or federal jobs and not municipal police .. Local agencies want investigative skills and experience for the positions which is why they typically only hire from within