The US Marshals Service, as the law enforcement arm of the federal judiciary, is deeply involved in nearly all matters related to federal law enforcement. In addition to its investigative, security and enforcement duties, this federal law enforcement agency has overseen a number of successful operations and task forces, such as 2009’s Fugitive Safe Surrender, which was under the leadership of the Delaware District of the U.S. Marshals Service (Wilmington headquarters).
During a four-day surrender period, 1,073 individuals with outstanding warrants were able to surrender to law enforcement officials. With the help of state and local law enforcement agencies and through additional, faith-based leadership, Fugitive Safe Surrender resulted in a record number of surrenders. Results showed that the program netted more than 3,700 cleared charges and 6 arrests. About 10 percent of the surrenderees had felony warrants pending.
Requirements to Become a U.S. Marshal in Delaware
There are occasional career opportunities in the U.S. Marshals Service, in Delaware and across the country, for individuals who meet the strict qualifications.
Basic Requirements – Individuals who want to learn how to become U.S. marshal in Delaware must first meet the agency’s minimum requirements for employment, which include being between the ages of 21 and 36, being a United States citizen, and possessing a valid driver’s license. Candidates must also meet the medical requirements of the agency and be in excellent, physical condition.
Education and Experience Requirements – One of the following requirements must be met:
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any field with outstanding academic performance
OR
- One-year of graduate study related to criminal justice
OR
- One year of law enforcement experience
Physical Requirements – Medical requirements of candidates for U.S. marshal jobs in Delaware include:
- 20/20 binocular vision (corrected or uncorrected; uncorrected must be 20/200 of better in each eye)
- Acceptable color vision
- Acceptable hearing (must test at 30dB or better in each year at 50, 1000, and 2000 Hz and 40dB or better at 3000 Hz)
Possible disqualifying medical conditions include:
- Diabetes
- Convulsive disorders
- Hernias
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- Orthopedic conditioning affecting an individual’s stability, strength, flexibility or mobility
- Eye surgery
Candidates must be able to successfully pass a competitive written examination, a physical fitness assessment, a background investigation, and a medical examination prior to being hired. New hires must also complete a course of mandatory training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, which is 17 ½ weeks in length.
U.S. Marshal Career Benefits
U.S. marshals, as federal law enforcement officers, are afforded a number of benefits, including:
- Retirement: Includes a three-tiered system that consists of a pension plan, Social Security, and a Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K)
- All deputy U.S. marshals are eligible for retirement after 25 years of service or 50 years old if they have 20 years of service; the mandatory retirement age is 57
- Health benefits
- Life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Delaware’s US Marshal Task Forces
One of the major task forces in the District of Delaware is the First State Fugitive Task Force, which resulted in countless apprehensions in the state. Among these was an apprehension that occurred on October 31, 2013, when the First State Fugitive Task Force arrested a Delaware man charged with murder and weapons charges.
Other notable arrests by the Task Force and through the coordination with state and local law enforcement agencies in the latter part of 2013 included: October 24 (rape, sexual battery), October 23 (burglary, theft, credit card fraud and identity theft), September 30 (homicide), August 28 (first-degree robbery and weapons charges), and August 21 (vehicular homicide).