The FBI targets major crimes and prosecutes suspects alleged to have broken federal laws. Since the terrorist attacks on September 11th it has refocused its attention to prevent another similar incident, while also handling white-collar crime, major violent crime, sex trafficking and public corruption. The FBI in St Louis works in partnerships with other state, federal, and local agencies to ensure the highest level of law enforcement preparedness. The regional headquarters is located in the city of St Louis, with an additional three satellite branches located in Cape Girardeau, Kirksville, and Rolla.
Recently, the FBI’s St Louis Division has been responsible for the prosecution of several companies on charges of illegal online gambling. One company – Betonsports – pled guilty to charges of racketeering. In a separate case involving the internet, a woman was indicted for pretending to be a boy, who began first flirting and then harassing a teenage girl online, who later killed herself. Because internet crime occurs across state lines it becomes a federal crime. It has also been argued that federal jurisdiction is warranted because the World Wide Web affects the economy of the United States. The St Louis FBI Division is a partner in the Cyber Crimes Task Force based out of Clayton, Missouri.
How to Become an FBI Agent in St Louis
The FBI requirements in St Louis to begin a career start with being in good shape. All prospective special agents must pass a vigorous physical fitness test. Failure to do so three times in a row will mean the prospective agent will never be admitted as such. However any serious agent who puts him or herself on a training program should have no problem passing the test. There are also additional physical ability requirements:
- Sit-ups
- Push-ups
- 1.5 mile run
- 300-meter sprint
- Uncorrected vision of at least 20/200 or proven ability to wear soft contact lenses
- Corrected or natural vision of 20/20 vision in one eye with at least 20/40 in the other
- Average hearing loss of 25 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 hertz
- Thorough medical review including past surgeries and pre-existing conditions
All FBI employees must pass a thorough background check and be eligible to receive an FBI security clearance. Professional employees have the option to choose among the following careers:
- FBI Police
- Investigative Support and Surveillance
- Business Management
- Intelligence Analysis
- Applied Technology, Engineering, and Science
- Information Technology
- Linguistics
FBI Jobs in St Louis for Prospective Special Agents
Special Agents based in the St Louis Division have a variety of career paths to choose from:
- Two eight-member Evidence Recovery Teams
- Computer Analysis and Response Team
- 14-member SWAT Team with Hostage Rescue
- Bomb Recovery and Analysis
- Hazardous Materials
- Translations Team
The initial requirements for prospective special agents are:
- U.S. or Northern Mariana Islands citizenship
- Between the ages of 23 and 37
- Have a four year university degree from an accredited institution
- Three years of professional work experience
Upon acceptance the prospective agent will be required to complete a 21-week intensive training course at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Includes written coursework, defensive, and weapons training.