US Marshals in Iowa are tasked with ensuring the smooth operation of the federal justice system, doing everything from capturing fugitives to protecting witnesses. Service with the US Marshals also frequently requires responding to requests for assistance from other law enforcement agencies dealing with particularly violent and dangerous criminals.
This highlights a key part of the US Marshal job description: the ability to work effectively on a team with other law enforcement officers from all levels of government. In Iowa this often translates into joint operations or consultations with:
- Dubuque Police Department Criminal Investigation Division
- Des Moines Police Department Region 5 Fusion Center
- Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, formerly known as the State Civil Defense Agency
- Fort Dodge Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit
- Sioux City Police Department Special Investigations Section
Preparing with the Right Education
There are several important requirements that must be met to become a US Marshal, and chief among them is education. A great way to qualify for US Marshal jobs is by having a year of graduate study in a field such as:
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Forensics
- Sociology
- Law Enforcement
- Criminal Justice
Candidates may also qualify for US Marshal jobs by having:
- A good academic standing with a bachelor degree
OR
- A year of specialized work experience in the law enforcement or criminal investigation fields
OR
- A combination of specialized work experience and education
Working in Iowa: What to Expect from a Job with the US Marshals Service
The US Marshal Service is housed in five locations across Iowa:
- Cedar Rapids
- Fort Dodge
- Sioux City
- Des Moines
- Davenport
From these operating offices US Marshals carry out their job duties, with recent examples of missions including:
- A joint operation between US Marshals and the Dubuque Police Department which saw the arrest of 144 fugitives with outstanding warrants over the period of a month. Many of those arrested were wanted for violent crimes, gang membership, or sex crimes.
- The arrest of a Des Moines man who was wanted in connection with a robbery in which the assailant shot a man at close range in the process of the street crime. Prosecutors leveled the charges of attempted murder and first degree robbery against the suspect, while the victim was expected to recover.
Making an Application and Training
The federal USA Jobs website posts available US Marshal career opportunities across the nation, and is also the site where candidates can submit their application for open positions. US citizens between the ages of 21-36 may apply for these, with age-requirement exceptions made for eligible veterans and federal officers. Applicants will need to make it through a thorough background investigation and distinguish themselves as candidates in a personal interview. Training will commence once the hiring process has been successfully surmounted.
After hire, new marshals will be assigned to an intensive training regimen for the next 17½ months of their lives. This takes place at the Federal Law Enforcement Center in Georgia, with training requirements including the passage of a fitness test for both men and women as well as seven written tests given throughout the academy over recent lessons. Topics of instruction cover:
- Firearms
- Courtroom security
- High threat trails
- Surveillance
- Driving techniques
- Search and seizure