The state of Connecticut offers exciting opportunities for potential FBI employees. Because the state is located near major population centers on the eastern Seaboard and is home to many major ports, it has historically served as a hub for illegal activity. While the number of agents in the state is not as large as other states, Connecticut does offer plenty of opportunities for applicants to land a job with the agency.
The main FBI headquarters office for Connecticut is located in the city of New Haven. Other, smaller field offices, also known as residencies or satellite offices, are located in the towns of Bridgeport, New London and Meriden. New Haven is the largest and busiest of the locations. The Meriden location is the second largest because of its location near the college town of Hartford, one of the most populated areas in the state.
FBI Jobs in Connecticut
The FBI presence in Connecticut is made up of a small group of agents who are all asked to perform various duties, rather than serving in a single, highly specialized role. While the number of agents employed in the state in smaller than most states, its location on the Eastern Seaboard influences what these jobs involve doing:
Evidence Recovery and Processing: The Connecticut team consists of 16 members. The Evidence Recovery and Processing team is responsible for assessing crime scenes and collecting evidence. The evidence can be in the form of physical evidence like fingerprints, DNA samples and blood found at the scene, as well as evidence like bullet hole trajectory, blood splatter patterns, weapon identification and other forms of data and evidence analysis.
Tactical Support and Crisis Response: This team specializes in the use of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and is used in a variety of high-stakes situations. The situations include hostage situations, the handling and apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals and the infiltration of barricaded and guarded structures.
Bomb Recovery and Analysis: The state FBI has one bomb expert who is responsible for evaluating, handling and dismantling explosive materials. These experts work closely with Terrorism Task Forces and are often called in to assist local law enforcement.
Weapons of Mass Destruction/ Hazardous Materials: This team consists of one employee who specializes in the handling and identification of weapons of mass destruction, which are typically used in potential terrorist attacks.
The FBI Application and Training Process
Potential agents are typically found through various regional recruiting events that the FBI hosts around the country. People interested in meeting the standards to become FBI agents must complete an application and meet the minimum requirements for the respective jobs. Here is a list of some of the basic requirements that must be met:
- Must be a citizen of the United States
- Must be between the ages of 23 and 36 (exceptions apply in special circumstances)
- Must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four year school
Once an application is submitted, the FBI will go through a background investigation in which they look for past criminal activity, drug use, family problems, school performance and other factors which determine whether they think a person is fit for work at the FBI. A physical fitness requirement must also be met before training begins.