U.S. Marshals in the district of South Carolina serve the major cities of Columbia, Charleston, Spartanburg, Aiken, Florence, Greenville, and Anderson.
The flagship career opportunity for U.S. Marshals in South Carolina is overseeing the Operation Intercept, one of the oldest U.S. Marshals Service task forces in the nation. Operation Intercept was founded in 1986 with the mission of targeting federal, state, and local fugitives.
Operation Intercept collaborates with a variety of law enforcement agencies and has been responsible for several recent arrests, including:
- May 2013: Operation Intercept concluded its participation in a nationwide initiative to identify and arrest dangerous, non-registered sex offenders. Through this effort, U.S. Marshals in South Carolina arrested two violent sex offenders in the state of South Carolina for failure to register.
- December 2012: Operation Intercept located and arrested a dangerous fugitive who had been hiding out in an apartment complex in Conway, South Carolina. The fugitive was wanted in Ohio for two Robbery charges, one Burglary charge, and one Dangerous Drugs charge.
- December 2011: Operation intercept arrested one of five escaped inmates who fled Elmore County Jail in Alabama. The fugitive went on a crime spree from Alabama all the way to South Carolina and was finally captured at a local hotel.
- July 2011: Operation Intercept and local law enforcement agencies undertook the “Shine the Light” initiative to track down 158 sex offenders and 10 violent fugitives across the state of South Carolina.
How to Become a U.S. Marshal in South Carolina
There are two main avenues for individuals interested in becoming U.S. Marshals: applying for service during an open recruitment period or the Centralized Student Career Experience Program.
Open Recruitment and Competitive Examination – The U.S. Marshals Service fills jobs in South Carolina during open recruitment periods and events. For more information about recruitment in South Carolina, contact the district office and ask to speak to the District Recruiting Officer.
Applicants will first be evaluated to determine whether they meet the minimum qualifications for U.S. Marshals Service:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must be between 21 and 36 years old
- Must have a valid motor vehicle license
- Ability to pass background investigation
- Must possess specialized experience or education at the GL-07 level
- Must meet minimum health qualifications (physical examination will be administered)
Applicants who meet these minimum qualifications will be subjected to a competitive examination that includes a section on situational judgment, as well as a writing sample. Applicants will also go through a structured interview.
Centralized Student Career Experience Program – The Centralized Student Career Experience Program (CSCEP) is a 16-week work/study program for undergraduate students who want to pursue careers in the U.S. Marshals Service.
Students must attend a college or university that has a CSCEP agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service. The list of participating schools is subject to change annually. In addition, students must meet minimum eligibility requirements and must be studying in one of the following areas:
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Social Sciences
For more information about eligibility requirements and participating schools, visit the U.S. Marshals Service website.
U.S. Marshals Service Basic Training Academy
All U.S. Marshals in South Carolina are required to complete basic training at the U.S. Marshals Service Basic Training Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga.
Basic training lasts 17 ½ weeks and includes a combination of rigorous physical conditioning and tactical training with a variety of classroom courses. Trainees will be expected to pass several exams in order to graduate.