The Department of Homeland Security Investigations

Payton Newsome

English III Honors Pd. 6

Mr. Alburger

February 23, 2017

 Newsome 1

Payton Newsome

Mr. Alburger

English III

February 23, 2017

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations

Over the course of history, the United States of America struggled with its own borders and

the protection of those borders. The United States Department of Homeland Security exists as a

part of the cabinet for the United States federal government with obligations in public security.

Men and women across the nation put their lives in the direct line of harm to help serve their

country. Since 2002, intensely trained agents for Homeland Security Investigations within the

Department of Homeland Security hustle tirelessly to prevent danger to the nation by countering

the evolving threats the United States face.

On September 11, 2001, tragedy struck our great nation in the horrifying form of a terrorist

attack. Al Qaeda, a militant Islamist organization founded by Osama bin Laden, sent hijackers

to board four passenger planes in hopes of bringing harm to the American people (Ekstrand).

This terrorist organization successfully carried out harmonizing suicide attacks on the World

Trade Center located in New York City along with the Pentagon in Washington D.C., resulting

in ghastly executions on and off the planes. This cataclysmic event woke the hearts of the people

of the United States of America.

Since the appalling events that took place that day in the fall of 2001, every component of

the United States government had to take on a new role of doing whatever necessary to protect
 Newsome 2

the beloved country. The commander in chief of the United States contribution to the country

involves helping solve nation-wide problems such as terrorism (Creation). The forty-third

president of the United States, and the president at the time, George W. Bush, made a proposal to

congress and the American citizens for the creation of a new department to help protect the

nation from future harm. Many different proposals came up from outside sources and members

of congress. The responsible parties took pieces from few of the different proposals and

established a common ground that the majority involved in the decision making could agree

upon. This innovative department was called the Department of Homeland Security.

The unique department needed to differentiate itself from the existing Department of

Defense. The Department of Defense strives to protect the United States with military actions,

whereas the Department of Homeland Security would work in the civilian domain to secure the

United States border and protect against threats from within. The Department of Homeland

Security's stated mission is to prepare for, prevent, and respond to domestic emergencies,

particularly terrorism (Department). Grants and loans fund the Department of Homeland

Security with the help of the Funding and Sustainment Committee. The new departments

headquarters, a former naval compound based in Washington D.C., supervises tasks. The

Department of Homeland Security consists of four different divisions: Border and

Transportation Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Information Analysis and

Infrastructure Protection, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures

(Bush). Each branch of the department has a different mission and different set efforts to reach

one common goal of protecting the country.

 Newsome 3

The most interestingly complex agency of the United States Department of Homeland

Security is Homeland Security Investigations. Homeland Security Investigations maintains the

concept of an indispensable aid of the investigative arm of the United States. Homeland Security

Investigations combat criminal organizations who illegally exploit America's travel, trade,

financial and immigration systems. Homeland Security Investigations workforce includes special

agents, analysts, auditors and support staff (Become). Men and women get assigned to cities

throughout the United States and to offices around the world. Homeland Security Investigations

international force exists as the departments largest investigative presence abroad and gives

Homeland Security Investigations one of the largest international footprints in the United States

law enforcement.

The United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations Division, part of the

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, has the responsibility of investigating both

domestic and international activities that result from the illegal movement of people and goods

into, within, and out of the United States. According to the Official Website of the Department of

Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations broad authority covers the following:

financial crimes, money laundering and bulk cash smuggling, commercial fraud and intellectual

property theft, cyber crimes, human rights violations, human smuggling and trafficking,

immigration, document and benefit fraud, narcotics and weapons smuggling/trafficking,

transnational gang activity, export enforcement, and international art and antiquity theft

(Become). The threats presented by criminals in these areas have far-reaching consequences.

In response, Homeland Security Investigations uses a versatile approach to conduct operations

making it possible to achieve the best results for the nation.

 Newsome 4

The Homeland Security Investigations agency supplies many Americans with jobs. It

includes over 10,000 employees, 6,700 special agents and operates in more than 200 cities in the

United States, as well as 47 countries around the world (Homeland Detective). There are few

different names for a homeland security detective such as: investigative specialists, investigative

operations specialists, or just investigators. Homeland security detectives are called upon to

support all law enforcement efforts of any agency within the Department of Homeland Security

and any state or local government by planning and executing often-complex investigative actions

(Become). Homeland Security Investigations criminal investigators utilize innovative

investigative techniques and new technological resources to help prevent terrorism and other

criminal activities by targeting the people, money and materials that support illegal

organizations. Homeland security detectives are found in every child agency within of the

department and also all branches of the military (Homeland Security Detective). A variety of

challenging criminal and civil investigations may take place involving national security threats,

terrorism, public safety, drug smuggling, child exploitation, human trafficking, illegal arms

export, financial crimes, identity fraud, benefit fraud, commercial fraud, and more. Homeland

Security Investigations criminal investigators have a commitment to excellence and protecting

the country.

The Department of Homeland Security requires a lot of pre-occupation requirements.

Selections for these positions made contingent upon the successful completion of a thorough

background investigation, medical examination and drug test. Employment offers may be

withdrawn from those who do not provide adequate and timely responses to requests for
 Newsome 5

information (Homeland Security Detective). Potential investigators must conduct and

coordinate high-level comprehensive investigations for the interview process.

Keeping Americans safe from the threat of terrorism and international crime requires the

kind of knowledge that stems from college courses offered in homeland security degree

programs. Homeland security schools located throughout the nation and available online

provide the training and degrees that may help you serve as a homeland security detective

(Homeland). These courses can not only help one become a detective, but also a foreign

bureau agent, surveillance specialist, intelligence analyst or another specialized role.

Only United States citizens the age of thirty-seven or above may apply for a criminal

investigator position for the Department of Homeland Security or a special agent for Homeland

Security Investigations. People who qualify to apply must have law enforcement or criminal

investigation experience. Applicants must undergo this intense training as well as submit to

random drug tests and firearm tests. Future agents must complete twenty- two weeks of paid

enforcement training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia

(Homeland). There are different requirements regarding training depending on his or her

acquired level of Homeland Security professional duties. More training is necessary for a

federal-level position whereas a grassroots level homeland security professional only requires the

local-level training.

Federal criminal investigators major duties include conducting criminal, civil, and

administrative investigations complex in scope and encompass subject matters which require an

expert level of planning and coordination. Criminal detectives investigate individuals,

businesses, employers, criminal organizations, criminal conspiracies and terrorist organizations

 Newsome 6

that represent a significant threat to public safety and national security. He or she can serve as an

undercover operative, undercover program manager or a case agent in certified undercover

operations involving penetration of close-knit terrorist and other criminal groups over extended

periods of time.

The Department of Homeland Securitys police supervisors and detectives make around

the same salary. The national average salary for both careers in 2012 as $82,060 (Become ).

According to the geography of where the detective is stationed, he or she can make more than

others. The highest ten percent earn more than $125,620 on average(Homeland Security

Detective). They are paid a base salary plus any authorized locality pay for the geographic area

where their employment takes place.

Law Enforcement Availability Pay represents a giant part of the Department of

Homeland Security. The Law Enforcement Availability Pay is calculated at a flat rate of 25

percent of base salary (OMP). A law enforcement officer or investigative career requires work

on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week. These positions require substantial

overtime to include holidays, weekends and nights. Investigators must stay readily accessible to

perform this unscheduled work. To ensure an investigator's availability, the investigator will

receive extra compensation in the form of Law Enforcement Availability Pay.

Homeland Security Investigations Criminal Investigators positions have scattered

locations throughout the continental United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii,

Guam and Saipan. A large number of criminal investigator positions are in major metropolitan

areas and along the U.S. Southwest border (Become). The Federal Employees Health Benefits

program offers investigators a choice on which health plan they want which allows them to
 Newsome 7

select the kind and amount of insurance protection they require. The government pays part, not

more than seventy-five percent, of the cost of premiums. Each year employees have the

opportunity to enroll or change plans. Annual leave directly correlates between the number of

years an investigator has been in the federal service. Each criminal investigator earns 104 hours

a year for the first 3 years, 160 hours a year for the next 12 years, and 208 hours a year after 15

years of service (Become). Employees can carry over up to 240 hours to the next calendar

year. Sick leave can manageability accumulate without limit and taken when necessary. They

have the possibility to earn 104 hours of sick leave each year.

These positions have promotion potential to the GS-13 level, one of the fifteen General

Schedule levels. A career ladder promotion stays contingent upon satisfactory performance and

the satisfactory completion of all required training. Such promotions are not automatic. These

positions have additional opportunities at the GS-14, GS-15, and Senior Executive Service

levels (Homeland). However, promotions ensue through a competitive hiring process.

Criminal Investigators maintain coverage under the provisions of both the Civil Service

Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System. Employees covered by either

retirement system that reach age 50 or over with at least 20 years of service as a law enforcement

officer are eligible for law enforcement retirement (Homeland). In addition, employees

covered by FERS (all new hires to the Federal government) stay eligible for law enforcement

retirement at any age with at least 25 years of service as a law enforcement officer. Furthermore,

employees who reach age 57 with at least 20 years of service as a law enforcement officer under

his or her belt acquire mandatory retirement under both retirement systems.
 Newsome 8

The daily life of a criminal investigator for the Department of Homeland Security

fluctuates periodically. What men and women of the department do over the course of a typical

day changes working across the country and around the world to keep Americans safe and

secure (Border). The type of case determines each individual decision and effort made

everyday. Whether financial crimes, money laundering and bulk cash smuggling, commercial

fraud and intellectual property theft, cyber crimes, human rights violations, human smuggling

and trafficking, immigration, document and benefit fraud, narcotics and weapons

smuggling/trafficking, transnational gang activity, export enforcement, and international art or

antiquity theft, an investigator must maintain his or her ability to jump at any fresh indications or

material pertaining to the case at any time. According to Scott Eder, this gets difficult for an

investigator when an investigator associates his or her emotions with the case (Eder). An

investigator can not make decisions persuaded by sentiments during the case, protocol must

prevail. Every day, Homeland Security works with first responders, state, local, tribal and

territorial governments, community groups, international partners and the private sector to secure

our nation and to counter the evolving threats the United States face.

If the investigators current case focuses on preventing terrorism and enhancing security,

various things could happen during the average work day. He or she could screen approximately

2 million passengers and their already checked baggage before boarding a commercial aircraft.

The investigator would look for anything suspicious to lead himself or herself to further

conclusions. An investigator can intercept 90 prohibited items at checkpoints and prevent 1,945

prohibited items from entering federal facilities (Department). An investigator secures the

ability to deploy as many transportation security officers and or federal air marshals necessary to
 Newsome 9

protect the people traveling in public. If necessary, they can minimize the wait times of

passengers security screening to an average of less than 10 minutes.

Cases concerning the prevention of terrorism and the enhancement of security acquire

diversified measures that may or may not be taken by the agents involved. An investigator can

conduct 135 armed waterborne patrols near maritime critical infrastructure and key resources

(Department). Each investigator possesses the ability to monitor thousands of radiation portal

monitors to scan 100 percent of all containerized cargo entering the United States. Some can

train 3,400 federal agents from 89 different federal, state and local agencies in one or more of the

469 basic and advanced training programs available (Become). They must review all-source

intelligence information, conduct analysis, and develop products to disseminate to all affected

and entangles agencies as well as private partners regarding existing and cultivating threats. All

investigative agents must provide resources and expertise to support the nations 72 fusion

centers. This engages law enforcement and homeland security agencies across the country by

reporting suspicious activities and implementing protective measures.

If the investigators current case focuses on the security and management of our borders,

an assortment of things could happen during the average work day. Investigators may process

nearly 1 million travelers entering the United States at air, land and sea ports of entry as well as

inspect more than 47,000 truck, rail and sea containers (Adamczyk). This can possibly help

against draw conclusions and connect the dots during a case. They can process more than 88

million dollars in fees, duties and tariffs, seize 11,435 pounds of narcotics at or near ports of

entry nationwide and seize or remove 1,100 pounds of illegal drugs via maritime
 Newsome 10

routes(Homeland). A lot of blanks in cases should promote agents to take strict actions such

as these.

If the investigators current case focuses on ensuring resilience to disasters, an

intermixture of things could happen during the basic work day. Investigators can provide 22

million dollars to states and local communities for disaster response, recovery, and mitigation

activities (Homeland). Agents can help save money in damages from flooding across the

country through the Law Enforcement Availability Pay Floodplain Management. They can help

protect homes from the devastating effects of flooding through flood insurance policies issued by

the National Flood Insurance Program. Some agents can train emergency responders to improve

capabilities across all-hazards, to include weapons of mass destruction, cybersecurity, agriculture

and food protection, and citizen preparedness (Become). Agencies recommend their agents to

strengthen citizen preparedness and participation through funding and technical assistance in

every state and the five United States territories.

In all, each individual passionate criminal investigator working under the Department of

Homeland Security strives to do efficient work to keep our nations land, borders, and territories

sheltered from threat or violence. Since 2002, intensely trained agents for Homeland Security

Investigations within the Department of Homeland Security hustle tirelessly to prevent danger to

the nation by countering the evolving threats the United States face.
 Newsome 11

Pride Paper Bibliography

Adamczyk, Ed. "Homeland Security Arrests More than 1,100 in Multi-state Gang-related

Operation." UPI Top News. , 29 Mar. 2016. Web. 2 Jan. 2017.

<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,custuid&custid=s8455

861&db=n5h&AN=B92W920685410&site=ehost-live&scope=site>.

"Become a Criminal Investigator." Official Website of the Department of Homeland Security.

Official Website of the Department of Homeland Security, Web. 1 Jan. 2017.

<https://www.ice.gov/careers/occupation/investigator>.

"Border Security." Border Security | Homeland Security. Web. 03 Feb. 2017.

<https://www.dhs.gov/border-security>.

Bush, George W. The Department of Homeland Security. Washington, D.C.: White House, 2002.

Print.

"Creation of the Department of Homeland Security."Creation of the Department of Homeland

Security | Homeland Security. Web. 03 Feb. 2017.

<https://www.dhs.gov/creation-department-homeland-security>.

"The Department of Homeland Security." Foundations of Homeland Security Office of Public

Administrations (2011): 83-92. Web.

Eder, Scott. Personal Interview. 14 Feb. 2017.

Ekstrand, Laurie E. "Gun Control and Terrorism: FBI Could Better Manage Firearm-Related

Background Checks Involving Terrorist Watch List Records: GAO-05-127." GAO Reports,

19 Jan. 2005. Web.

 Newsome 12

<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,custuid&custid=s8455

861&db=f6h&AN=18174579&site=ehost-live&scope=site>.

GAO Reports. "Homeland Security: Justice Department's Project to Interview Aliens after

September 11, 2001: GAO-03-459." GAO Reports, 11 Apr. 2003. Web. 3 Jan. 2017.

<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,custuid&custid=s8455

861&db=f6h&AN=18214674&site=ehost-live&scope=site>.

"Homeland Security Detective Careers." Homeland Security EDU. Homeland Security, 2016.

Web. 1 Jan. 2017. <http://www.homelandsecurityedu.org/homeland-security-detective/>.

Homeland Security: Thomson Gale, 2005. Homeland Security Council, Oct. 2007. Web.

OMP U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Web. 03 Feb. 2017. <https://www.opm.gov/>.