Thread: FLEO Jobs w/o Stringent Physical Requirements?

All,

I have a lifelong interest in law enforcement and would like to just pick everyone's brain about possible avenues I might pursue given my situation. I'm 28 years old and an attorney with non-LE federal government experience. My driving interest in law enforcement is in investigations.

The problem is that I was born severely premature and had a medical excuse through most of high school gym class. I'm not overweight and I'm not a person with a disability, but I don't know if I could pass the stringent requirements for some FLEO positions, most notably FBI.

Should I focus on other Agency OIGs? 1801 quasi-LE positions? I'm not asking for a crystal ball response, but I'm asking if folks are aware of FLE positions where the emphasis would be placed entirely on my investigative, analytic and writing skills.

Bottom line is your going to have to attend and pass some academy. Only you know what you can and can't do. Some others may be able to shed some light on some orgs with a more relaxed program.

Originally Posted by cvig

I'm asking if folks are aware of FLE positions where the emphasis would be placed entirely on my investigative, analytic and writing skills.

Have you considered the Intelligence Analyst position with the FBI? They're not sworn FLEO's, but directly support the FBI's LE mission and the emphasis is entirely on supporting investigations, analysis and writing. May be a good fit...?

With a few notable exceptions, such as the USBP, USCP, PFPA, most all of the basic academies at FLETC are not overly strenuous physically. The requirements are readily available online for your research. In addition, each agency publishes at least a version of their minimum physical quals on every vacancy announcement. Once you have some of this information, it is time to have a heart-to-heart talk with your physican and yourself. It is far easier for most (but not all) people to overcome physical limitations than to overcome intellectual, mental, or social limitations. Only you know if you are that person.

On a different note: While most posters and readers here will take your post in the matter intended, in general conversation with doctors, recruiters, classmates, etc. your question could easily be misconstrued as someone who is looking to "get over" or take the easy way out. Don't let that person be you. Good Luck and keep us updated.

If I'm not mistaken, OPM has minimum standards for those holding an 1811 series position. I don't think it's all that stringent, but it is established in writing nonetheless.

Have you considered a general investigator position (1810 series)?

Originally Posted by cvig

All,

I have a lifelong interest in law enforcement and would like to just pick everyone's brain about possible avenues I might pursue given my situation. I'm 28 years old and an attorney with non-LE federal government experience. My driving interest in law enforcement is in investigations.

The problem is that I was born severely premature and had a medical excuse through most of high school gym class. I'm not overweight and I'm not a person with a disability, but I don't know if I could pass the stringent requirements for some FLEO positions, most notably FBI.

Should I focus on other Agency OIGs? 1801 quasi-LE positions? I'm not asking for a crystal ball response, but I'm asking if folks are aware of FLE positions where the emphasis would be placed entirely on my investigative, analytic and writing skills.

The BOP has probably the most lax physical requirements of any federal LE agency. We had a guy who was 350-400 pounds who not only made it through the academy, but was an honor graduate based on his scores for PT, Firearms, and academics.

Now I know that isn't investigations, but it is federal LE.

There are many non-sworn investigative opportunities in the Federal government, mostly in the 1801, 1810 and other 18XX job series. Department of Labor, for example, has 1801 investigators in several agencies working various types of cases. These positions mostly focus on civil or administrative investigations, but some also handle certain criminal cases or occasionally support criminal investigations being conducted by other agencies. ATF and DEA have non-LE investigators/inspectors, and over the last few years many OIGs have started adding 1810 Investigators to conduct (non-criminal) employee misconduct investigations rather than tie up an 1811 with those cases.