70 L
AW
E
NFORCEMENT
E
XAMS
During the required 14-week training period at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
(FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia, appointees must satisfactorily complete the prescribed training in
immigration law. Training may also include courses in the Spanish language (depending on the location
of the position being filled), human relations, and physical education.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR, IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION
SERVICE (SPECIAL AGENT)
Candidates for the position of Criminal Investigator must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 37
at the time of appointment. This age limitation, however, is waived for applicants who are at present in
federal civilian law enforcement positions or have prior experience in this field. Other requirements
include a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, an equivalent combination of
education and work experience, or three years of work experience. Qualifying experience may be
administrative, professional, or investigative, indicating that the applicant is able to perform the basic
duties of a Criminal Investigator. One academic year of full-time undergraduate study may be substituted
for nine months of work experience. Applicants must also earn a competitive grade above 70 on the INS
Criminal Investigator examination. When chosen from this list by the Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS), applicants undergo a comprehensive medical examination to determine physical and
mental fitness as well as freedom from any impairment that would prevent the normal performance of
duties. No exceptions to these standards are made. Since the duties are exacting, there are specific
requirements for this position: Manual dexterity--comparatively free motion of fingers, wrists, elbows,
shoulders, hips, and knee joints is required. Vision--you must possess sufficiently good vision in each
eye with or without glasses. Hearing--the ability to hear the conversational voice and whispered speech
without the use of a hearing aid is required. Applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any
physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself or to others would
disqualify the applicant for appointment. The standards are considered minimum and will not be waived
in any case. Candidates are interviewed by INS personnel and are evaluated for such factors as
appearance, poise, and the ability to communicate effectively. Lastly, a personal background investiga-
tion is conducted to determine general character, honesty, and overall suitability for this job. At the time
of appointment, each candidate must possess a valid driver's license.
Newly hired Criminal Investigators are initially given 14 weeks of training at the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. The subjects taught during this training
program include INS rules, regulations, and procedures; immigration and nationality law; laws of
evidence; court procedures; investigation techniques; methods of arrest, search, and seizure; surveillance
and undercover operations; use of legal warrants; care and use of firearms; physical training and methods
of self-defense; fingerprinting; preparation of reports; and Spanish language training. Upon successful
completion of this program, new investigators are assigned to INS field offices across the country where
they work with experienced investigators and are guided by supervisory personnel until they are able to
function on an independent basis. Periodically, Criminal Investigators receive additional training that is
designed to keep them abreast of new developments affecting their work activities.
DEPORTATION OFFICER
The Deportation Officer candidate must be a U.S. citizen under the age of 37. The age limitation may be
waived if the applicant is currently in a federal civilian law enforcement position or has served in such
a position in the past. The applicant must have a bachelor's degree, three years of responsible experience,
