As of 2008, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that 1,624 full-time federal law enforcement officers named Maryland as their primary state of employment. Within the field of federal law enforcement, there were 899 individuals in criminal investigations and enforcement, followed by police response and patrol (282) and corrections and detention (143).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland, has identified a number of priorities, all of which are focused on criminal matters at the federal level:
- Anti-Gang Strategy
- Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council
- Asset Forfeiture
- Human Trafficking
- Identity Fraud
- Maryland Exile (gun crimes)
- Mortgage Fraud
- Project Safe Child (online child exploitation and abuse)
Preparing for Careers in Federal Law Enforcement in Maryland
From criminal justice and homeland security to public safety and criminology, formal degree programs for individuals in federal law enforcement have become commonplace. Just a few of the federal agencies that now require, at a minimum, bachelor’s degree for its new hires, include the Central Intelligence Agency, the United States Secret Service, and the U.S. Marshals.
Beyond a college degree program, training is usually always a component of any federal law enforcement career. The major training center for federal law enforcement agencies is the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC). In addition to FLETC’s headquarters in Georgia, as well as centers in New Mexico and South Carolina, a major FLETC training site is located in Cheltenham, Maryland.
The FLETC-Cheltenham is a 372-acre training facility that is located just 15 miles from Washington D.C. In addition to federal law enforcement agencies, the FLETC-Cheltenham also provides training for more than 76 law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area.
Federal Law Enforcement Divisions in Maryland
The Maryland District’s Criminal Division is organized into a number of units, which allow federal law enforcement agencies to collaborate effectively with state and local law enforcement agencies:
Violent Crimes Unit
The Violent Crimes Unit investigates and prosecutes crimes related to federal firearms law and other types of violent crimes. It also focuses on drug-trafficking organizations, federal racketeering and conspiracy statutes, and federal anti-gang strategies.
Narcotics Unit
The Narcotics Unit investigates and prosecutes interstate and international narcotics traffickers, drug labs, and urban street gangs. Just a few of the federal agencies involved with the operations of the Narcotics Unit include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Internal Revenue Service.
Fraud and Public Corruption Unit
The Fraud and Public Corruption Unit focuses on the investigation and prosecution of federal crimes involving money or property, including telemarketing fraud, insurance fraud, and government contracting fraud, among others.
Major Crimes Unit
The Major Crimes Unit investigates and prosecutes some of the highest priorities within the Department of Justice, including identity fraud and the sexual exploitation of children. It also focuses on environmental crimes, domestic violence, stalking, and civil rights statutes.
National Security Unit
The National Security Unit includes a number of federal law enforcement agencies, which includes the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Defense, focuses on national security interests.
Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit
The Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit supports the investigation and prosecution of money laundering cases and asset forfeiture, as well as other complex areas that require special expertise.
Federal Law Enforcement Offices in Maryland
Federal law enforcement careers in Maryland are plentiful, thanks to the many law enforcement agencies found here:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- Baltimore
- Lanham-Seabrook
- Greenbelt
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Baltimore
United States Secret Service
- Baltimore
United States Marshals
- Baltimore
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Baltimore
United States Coast Guard
- Baltimore
- Catonsville
- Fort George G. Mead
- Bethesda
- St. Inigoes
- Crisfield
- Ocean City
- Oxford
- Annapolis
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Baltimore (service port)
Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Baltimore
- Annapolis
- Bel Air
- Calverton
- Dover
- Frederick
- Rockville
- Salisbury