What Is the Difference Between an FBI Agent & Investigator?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation employs a variety of highly skilled individuals, including special agents and investigative specialists. While both career paths work to support and enforce more than 300 federal statutes, the two do so in very different ways, with each requiring a selective set of qualifications and training.
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FBI Agent
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Special agents are responsible for performing sensitive national security investigations. Agents have a range of investigative duties that can change on a daily basis. Some of these duties may include working on counter-terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, cyber-crime, civil rights crimes and drug trafficking, in addition to many others. Likewise, special agents may be required to testify in court one day, execute a search warrant the next and make an arrest on another. An agent may also spend his time simply catching up on necessary paperwork.
Qualifications
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To work as a special agent for the FBI, applicants must meet a strict set of qualifications under the one of the FBI's special agent entry-program fields. The fields include accounting, computer science, language and law. Agents must be at least 23 years of age when appointed, but not more than 37 years old. A bachelor's degree in any background is also required, as well as three years of professional full-time work experience. Passage of a physical fitness exam is mandatory for appointment as a special agent.
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Investigators
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FBI investigative specialists have the essential task of providing support functions through physical surveillance activities. Investigative specialists provide support by gathering information in areas like foreign counterintelligence, and counter-terrorism. Specialists also collect, analyze and disseminate this information for use by other FBI personnel, as necessary. The information acquired during surveillance operations is used to asses each surveillance mission and determine a course of action for field agents.
Requirements
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Because investigative specialists utilize various technical and communicative equipment during surveillance, knowledge of this type of equipment may be beneficial when applying for a position with the FBI. Applicants must have a valid driver's license in their state of residence, as they are required to obtain clearance to operate government-owned vehicles during operations. Special agents can be assigned to any one of the 56 FBI field offices based on the changing needs of the bureau.
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References
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