Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement : Profiles of 225 High-powered Positions and Surefire Tactics for Getting Hired [Paperback]

Thomas H. Ackerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2001

This book is the most up-to-date and comprehensive source for federal law enforcement job-seekers available anywhere. It provides detailed profiles of 225 careers with more than 130 agencies, plus qualification requirements and training program descriptions; tips for navigating the federal personnel system, standing out from the crowd on application forms, and performing well during interviews; details on special hiring programs, including the four quickest ways to get hired; as well as on-line resources and many other features.

Unlike any other book, Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement provides accurate and up-to-date information on 10 categories of positions, including: Criminal Investigators, Uniformed Law Enforcement Officers, Security Specialists, General and Compliance Investigators, Probation and Pretrial Services Officers, Law Enforcement Technicians and Specialists, Intelligence Specialists, Communications Technicians and Dispatchers, Compliance Inspectors and Specialists, and Correctional Personnel. Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement is the ultimate resource for anyone who is serious about landing a career in the federal system.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a fantastic source book for anyone who is seeking valid information on federal law enforcement positions. -- Journal of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers

This book explains virtually ... in order to master the often complicated process of obtaining a position in federal law enforcement. -- "The Eighteen Eleven" (Journal of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association)

This book is easy to use and understand, and it makes the job-hunting process less intimidating. -- "Security Management" (Journal of the American Society for Industrial Security)

About the Author

Thomas Ackerman has spoken nationally and internationally at law enforcement training academies and conferences on law enforcement officer recruitment, selection, and training strategies, including the FBI National Academy, Swedish National Police College, and many universities. He has served as a Federal Agent, Police Officer, and Training Academy Instructor since 1980, and has published articles in leading law enforcement publications. He presently serves as Special Agent with a federal agency in Michigan, and as Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Grand Valley State University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Hamilton Burrows Pr (March 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0967778905
• ISBN-13: 978-0967778907
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,675,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the best!, January 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement : Profiles of 225 High-Powered Positions & Sure-Fire Tactics for Getting Hired (Paperback)

This is absolutely the best book on finding and landing careers in federal law enforcement. I have been a federal law enforcement officer for almost twenty years, and I didn't know that most of the positions profiled in this book were out there. The author also does a masterful job at explaining how to succeed in the application process, including the terminology to use on application forms and how to handle personal interviews. This is a tremendous resource for job applicants and veteran law enforcement officers alike.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Without this book, I wouldn't be a Federal Agent!, December 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement : Profiles of 225 High-Powered Positions & Sure-Fire Tactics for Getting Hired (Paperback)

After several attempts to land a career in the federal system, I bought "Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement" and used it through the search and application processes. I followed Ackerman's step-by-step advice, and I soon got hired as a federal agent with an agency I didn't know existed before reading the book! I wish I had gotten a copy before learning the hard way that getting through the federal application process and standing out from the crowd are difficult tasks - unless you're armed with reliable information and expert guidance. "Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement" was worth every penny!

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best source of federal law enforcment job listings to date., June 8, 1999

By 

Lawrence A. Jackson CPP ([e-mail]) (Ann Arbor Michgian) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement : Profiles of 225 High-Powered Positions & Sure-Fire Tactics for Getting Hired (Paperback)

Recently I was fortunate enough to obtain one of the first copies of the new Guide to Federal Law Enforcement Careers by Thomas Ackerman. I was amazed by the many lesser-known law enforcement careers listed. The book goes well beyond the normal FBI, INS listings to reveal a wealth of other positions such as the USDA Special Agents and FEMA Investigators.

I was also surprised that there were so many security-related positions available within the federal system. These positions are actually good paying professional positions as security managers, analysts and other career oriented jobs.

During my past 20 years in law enforcement I have found that you need to have an edge to be hired over other applicants. It is critical that your package looks attractive and that it helps the hiring agency visualize you as a member of their organization.

Ackerman's chapters such as "Standing Out From The Crowd" give you that edge with advice on home to fill out and submit documents in the proper federal format. The book shows you how to craft your letters and documents to minimize a lack of experience and to maximize the specific personal strengths and qualities that federal agencies are seeking.

If I had this book 20 years ago I could have saved myself a great deal of wasted effort combing the want ads and knocking on the wrong doors. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone seeking employment as a federal enforcement officer, investigator, or security professional. I plan to keep it on my bookshelf for students who are really serious about getting a law enforcement job in the federal system.