How to Become a U.S. Federal Protective Service Police Officer

The requirements to become an FPS Officer are simiar to those of other government agencies. One must be a U.S. Citizen, be 21 years of age, have a valid driver's license, pass a physical examination, qualify for a service revolver once per year (other yearly certifications required as well), training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

Fulfilling these basic requirements will make you eligible for employment, however, as with many of the high profile agencies the federal protective service is a very competitive organization to join. One of the best ways to set yourself apart as a job candidate at the FPS is to earn an advanced education, such as a bachelor's or master's degree. Request free information from the nation's top online Criminal Justice Degree Programs through our secure form. The AIU BSCJ Special Populations Degree program can be completed in 15 months and will prepare you for government agency careers such as with the FPS. A bachelor's degree can substitute for general experience when qualifying for a criminal investigator or officer position and a master's degree will help substitute for the required specialized experience to become a criminal investigator at the FPS. An advanced education does not guarantee you a position, but will increase your chances and pay scale.

The Federal Protective Service

The Federal Protective Service (FPS) falls under the Department of Homeland Security and is one of the organizations in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. The Federal Protective Service provides law enforcement and security for more than 8,800 federally leased and owned buildings throughout the United States. There are 1,223 employees working for the FPS. The Federal Protective Service provides all aspects of security and emergency response in federal buildings including HAZMAT, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Canine, and emergency response program as well as state-of-the-art communication and dispatch Mega centers. The FPS used to be a branch of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Since the Homeland Security Act took effect in 2002 the GSA's primary interaction with FPS is in the event of a missing child in any federally owned or leased facility. GSA administers primary responsibility for the U.S. Federal Protective Sevice and locating a missing child.

Federal Protective Sevice Agency Descriptions

The Federal Protective Service officers are uniformed law enforcement agents with all the jurisdiction that a sheriff would have minus the civil responsibilities. FPS officers are responsible for interrogating suspects, preventing crimes, arresting offenders and assisting police during emergency situations. There is also a small elite force of plain clothes special agents, a physical security force and a support services divisions. The FPS also oversees nearly 15,000 contract security officers or contract guards at federal facilities nationwide. All sectors of the FPS focus on the Nation's interior security and prevention of crime and terrorism. As you can see, there are a number of areas one can find employment within the FPS agency.

Federal Protective Service Salaries

Officers are hired on at the GS-4 level and investigators are hired at the GS-7 level. A sergeant earns the GS-6 or GS-7 pay level, a Lieutenant earns the GS-7, GS-8, GS-9 level depending on education and experience, a captain can earn anywhere from the the GS-7 to the GS-11 level depending on experience and education.

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