Federal Agent/Federal Officer

[Chainsaw_chew]

Here is a basic question. Why did anyone within Federal Law Enforcement become an agent or officer? To all that are trying to become a FLEO or Agent why are you trying to be one? It's a simple question just want to hear some feedback from all fields from DEA to CBP.

[phillystactical]

Opportunities to advance much faster with prior LEO experience. Not to mention, a better retirement package.

[rix031]

for the cool t-shirts with cbp on them, which no one knows what it stands for and the federal govt is one of the few employers that reward sub-par performance!

as a wise fed once told me, "welcome to one of the biggest scams in america!"

ok, im only kidding. although i dont necessarily disagree with what i said, i am very fortunate to have the job and get paid as well as i do. sometimes im amazed by the money i make, thanks to o.t.!!

personally, i accepted this position before 9/11 and not many agencies were hiring, in order to leap frog into an 1811 position. next thing i know, its been 6years and im still here!!! unfortunately, i have been offered positions, but because of my inability to re-locate, ive had to decline the offers. sooner or later i will be offered my hometown, i hope!

on a serious note, one of the reasons that i chose the federal govt to work for was for the salary, promotional/training opportunities, and the relatively safer environment than when i was a police officer.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Thanks for answering! Keep em comin!

[Chainsaw_chew]

Good luck to getting an offer rix!

[fedguy889]

the federal govt is one of the few employers that reward sub-par performance!



AINT THAT THE TRUTH!!!

[EricDel]

How much is the starting pay for a federal officer? Seems like its a rather large increase for a local LEO.

[rix031]

How much is the starting pay for a federal officer? Seems like its a rather large increase for a local LEO.

that depends on location. where i am located the starting pay is quite high compared to most departments around the country. BUT, for the most part, the federal govt does pay more than state and/or local dept.

as far as your first question is concerned, that also depends. you will have to refer to the opm.gov for the salary scales including locality pay.

[ask80]

i'd say most local LEOs make better here in CA and have a better retirement system.

[budman]

civil service.. someone has to do it..

[mi562]

I've seen CBPOs leave to join ICE, thinking the grass was greener on the other side, and they've regretted it. Grass isn't always greener!!!

[phillystactical]

I've seen CBPOs leave to join ICE, thinking the grass was greener on the other side, and they've regretted it. Grass isn't always greener!!!

Mi562, your right. However, if you get back home, it's worth it...:cool:

[ujocka]

By working for the fed you can switch career fields (many times if desired), and relocate anywhere in the US (and some foregin countries) and still have a pension waiting for you when you retire. If you work for a state or lower level govt., you are stuck within its geographical boundaries to salvage your years of service. I have worked for 4 different fed agencies in 4 different states, and the years of service towards retirement have continued to accrue.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Thats a great point ujocka. The goal is to try to get into a federal agency now. Thinking of hopping over to NYPD to make my resume look more appealing and to help against the competition of getting into some of these agencies.

[matyoka]

How much is the starting pay for a federal officer? Seems like its a rather large increase for a local LEO.

Just as reference, I pulled in $80k in '07 as a GS-11 step 3. In some places overtime is great, night differential is 15%, midnight diff is 20%, sundays is time and a half, overtime is double. Scam or not, it is one of the best jobs in LE. Now with 20 years retirement, you cannot beat it. Comfy environment, no-one is shooting/stabing at you (unless you are at Roma :) ) transfer opportunities are great, work overseas etc etc etc... I could go on and on.

[johnnylawman109]

I heard there is an age restriction on when you can get hired by the FED govt. I am turning 34 next week and want to go after a FED job, however I still need to finish my BA Degree, about a 1.5 years left. Can I apply without a BA degree? I was told most FED jobs require it. I have 8 years of full-time LE experience, 7 with one agency and 1 with another (3 year gap in between). Any advice, input? Thanks!

[matyoka]

Johnylawman,

You don't need a degree to be a CBPO. It helps getting you a better entry GS-7, but with your 7 years as an LEO experience... you are set for a nicer start than most recruits(GS-5 vs GS-7). And the max age on the day of appointment has to be 37. I think BP pushed it up to 40 but I am not 100% sure on that.

[phillystactical]

Johnylawman,

You don't need a degree to be a CBPO. It helps getting you a better entry GS-7, but with your 7 years as an LEO experience... you are set for a nicer start than most recruits(GS-5 vs GS-7). And the max age on the day of appointment has to be 37. I think BP pushed it up to 40 but I am not 100% sure on that.

Affirmative on that matyoka!

[SA13]

I heard there is an age restriction on when you can get hired by the FED govt. I am turning 34 next week and want to go after a FED job, however I still need to finish my BA Degree, about a 1.5 years left. Can I apply without a BA degree? I was told most FED jobs require it. I have 8 years of full-time LE experience, 7 with one agency and 1 with another (3 year gap in between). Any advice, input? Thanks!Some fed LE jobs are "covered" by the special LE/firefighter retirement, some are not. Those that are "covered" by the special retirement have a mandatory retirement at age 57. To get the retirement you must have a minimum of 20 years in a "covered" position, which means you must be in a "covered" job prior to your 37th birthday. So yes, some fed LE jobs have an age restriction, but some do not.

Also, some fed LE jobs do not require a bachelor's degree.

On the issues of age and the degree you will need to research what is required for the jobs you're interested in applying for.

[SA13]

As a federal agent, you can be transferred to a location that you don't like.For many agencies forced transfers are extremely rare.Even if you are not forced to transfer, you will have to relocate in order to move up the ranks.Again, this varies depending on the agency, also the move to promote issue is only a factor for those wishing to move into management. In my current agency and previous agency advancement to GS-13 is guaranteed as long as the agent is doing their job competently. Additionally, the retirement package isn't so great, IMHO.Opinions on that vary. There are a few better retirement plans out there, but the fed plan is better than most. Plus, you can't do traffic stops and you have to get AUSA approval to arrest! :D :PWell that's not true, I've done a few traffic stops, and I've arrested many people without calling an AUSA first.

[SA13]

As a federal agent, you can be transferred to a location that you don't like.For many agencies forced transfers are extremely rare.Even if you are not forced to transfer, you will have to relocate in order to move up the ranks.Again, this varies depending on the agency, also the move to promote issue is only a factor for those wishing to move into management. In my current agency and previous agency advancement to GS-13 is guaranteed as long as the agent is doing their job competently. Additionally, the retirement package isn't so great, IMHO.Opinions on that vary. There are a few better retirement plans out there, but the fed plan is better than most. Plus, you can't do traffic stops and you have to get AUSA approval to arrest! :D :PWell that's not true, I've done a few traffic stops, and I've arrested many people without calling an AUSA first.

[df2338]

Cali's pension is crazy, and their pay can be very high no doubt. However, move to NC or montana and see what a local pays. Nobody makes enough in California, or NYc. But get out into smaller areas with a gs13 step 10, its payday time:)