U.S. Marshal

The U.S. Marshals Service is one of the nation's first law enforcement agencies. U.S. Marshals have been serving the nation since 1789. U.S. Marshals enforce orders issued by federal courts. There are currently 90 national braches of the U.S. Marshal Service, a branch for each federal judicial district. The President appoints U.S. Marshals. More than 3,000 criminal investigators and deputy marshals are employed by the U.S. Marshal Service. U.S. Marshals are responsible for tracking and arresting federal fugitives, managing the Witness Protection Program, providing security at federal courts, transporting inmates in federal prisons to hospitals and courtrooms, enforcing court orders, and seizing illegally acquired property.

Major Duties of the U.S. Marshal Service:

Judicial Security
Although U.S. Marshals are not known for this, they're responsible for protecting federal judges and other judicial officers, including U.S. attorneys and federal jurors. Marshals utilize sophisticated technology to secure federal courtrooms.

The U.S. Marshal Service's Court Security Officer (CSO) division is comprised of experienced marshals who've served in various capacities. These marshals are contracted employees, so they typically do not receive other assignments when serving with the CSO division. Utilizing sophisticated screening technology, CSOs screen court attendees for firearms, explosives, and other prohibited items. Additionally, CSOs provide security at other buildings housing offices of the federal judiciary.
Transporting Prisoners/JPATS
In 1995, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Marshals Service worked together to develop the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS). This system has been used to effectively transport federal prisoners and criminal aliens.

Currently, the JPATS is one of the world's largest prisoner transportation systems. The agency processes more than 1,400 prisoner relocation requests daily. Requests come from foreign nations, judicial districts, and prisons. Using busses, motor vehicles, and airplanes, the JPATS moves over 350,000 prisoners and illegal aliens annually.
Investigative Operations
The U.S. Marshal Service specializes in locating and arresting fugitives. Every year, U.S. Marshals arrest more fugitives than all other police agencies combined. U.S. Marshals arrested over 40,000 fugitives during 2010.

The U.S. Marshal Service supervises 6 regional and 90 district task forces. Task forces are responsible for locating and apprehending federal fugitives. The U.S. Marshal Service collaborates extensively with other law enforcement agencies, including foreign agencies, to track and arrest fugitives.
Prisoner Operations
The U.S. Marshals Service supervises more than 58,000 prisoners detained in prisons throughout the nation. This agency contracts with municipal and state governments to lease space in state and municipal correctional facilities for prisoners awaiting sentencing. More than three-fourths of prisoners supervised by the U.S. Marshals Service are housed in these facilities. The other one-fourth are housed in federal prisons.
Tactical Operations
The U.S. Marshals Service organizing and conducts numerous special tactical raids every year. U.S. Marshals are also called upon to provide assistance natural disasters and national security threats.

The special operations tactical unit is comprised of well-trained Deputy Marshals who are frequently required confront heavily armed and dangerous criminals.
Asset Forfeiture
U.S. Marshals are responsible for seizing stolen and illegally acquired property. Additionally, U.S. Marshals handle and auction seized property, which brings in about $1.8 billion of revenue each year. This revenue is used to fund and support law enforcement agencies. This program is known as the Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture Program.
Witness Security
U.S. Marshals mange the nation's Witness Protection Program. Many witnesses are fearful against testifying in court against organized crime and other criminal organizations because of possible reprisals against them and their families. Since the early 1970s, the U.S. Marshal Service has protected, created new identifies for, and relocated more than 10,000 people since the 1970's.

The Witness Protection Program has made it possible to prosecute and convict numerous criminals and has been a significant tool in breaking organized crime operations. Deputy Marshals working in this program are considered to be some of the world's premier witness security and relocation experts. As a result, these Marshals teach other federal government and foreign law enforcement agencies how to protect potential witnesses.

Qualifications for Becoming a U.S. Marshal

Have proof of American citizenship
Be between 21-36 years of age
Hold a bachelor's degree or possess 3 years of relevant law enforcement experience. Candidates with both experience and education have a better chance of being hired
Demonstrate exceptional physical fitness. Applicants must pass the U.S. Marshal Service's fitness test
Possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record
Pass a thorough interview
Undergo and pass an extensive background check
Meet all medical qualifications
Complete a rigorous 17-½ week training program in Glynco, GA at the U.S. Marshals Service Training Academy

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Qualifying Experience

GL-5 - GENERAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A bachelors' degree OR at least 2 years of applicable work or volunteer experience

GL-7 - Superior Academic Achievement:

Bachelor's degree with any of the following superior academic achievement designations:
Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher for all passed undergraduate credits or for passed undergraduate credits passed during the final 2 years of study
Rank in the top one-third of your undergraduate class

Basic Training Requirements

Initial Marshal training is completed in Glynco, GA at the United States Marshals Service Basic Training Academy, a branch of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Training is administered by U.S. Marshal and FLETC instructors, and it lasts 17-½ weeks.

Recently hired deputies are classified as GS-0082 series Deputy U.S. Marshals.

Trainees will complete training in the following subjects during initial training:

Self-defense Tactics
Legal Training
Physical Conditioning
Firearms Training
Courtroom Procedure and Evidence
First Aid
Driver Training
Computer Training
Prisoner Search and Restraint
Deputy Survival
Court Security Procedures
Building Entry and Search
Search and Seizure
High Threat Trials
Protective Service Training
Physical Surveillance