TBI Special Agent Criminal Investigator

• Be willing to and able to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons; nor shall applicant be prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm per 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) or any other state or federal law;
• Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date of application;
• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license;
• Upon appointment, be willing to and able to obtain a Security Clearance.
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check;
• Complete a criminal history and background disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority and agree to release all records involving any criminal history or necessary records to the appointing authority;
• Be subject to an intense background investigation in a manner prescribed by the appointing authority, which includes but not limited to a check of State and Federal criminal records, driving history, social media accounts, credit check, education, military, previous employment, drug use, and reference verification as well as a polygraph examination to this effect, which will require some travel to the appointment;
• A candidate must not have been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendre to any violation of any federal or state law or city ordinance considered a felony or a misdemeanor based on integrity (to include, but not limited to: force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, DUI, or controlled substances). This includes a sufficient number of misdemeanors, of any nature, to establish a pattern of disregard for the law. Violations considered "youthful indiscretions" or experimentation (domestic related offenses excluded) may be considered on a case by case basis by the appointing authority;
• Have no conviction for a felony or have been discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces;
• Must participate in pre-employment, random and for cause drug and substance abuse testing as required by departmental policies and procedures;
• Pass a physical examination administered by a licensed physician that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position;
• Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a licensed mental health professional that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position;
• Upon appointment, successfully complete the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Academy that includes the following coursework: interviewing and interrogation; drug enforcement training and surveillance/undercover operations; communication skills, interpersonal skills, and/or leadership skills; case organization training; basic financial crimes investigation; handling informants; and training and instructor development. Must also successfully complete the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA), if TLETA or other TBI approved basic police training has not been previously completed
   

TBI Special Agents are sworn law enforcement officers with the authority to investigate and enforce state and federal criminal laws. Special Agents conduct criminal investigations including, but not limited to, violent crime, drug violations, conspiracies and organized crime. Agents must be able to interview individuals, seize property, handle evidence, attain information contained in computer databases and arrest suspects. Thoroughly documenting work activities as part of a case file and gathering evidence to be used by a state or federal prosecutor is of the upmost importance. Testifying before Grand Juries, judges and jurors, and handling records or evidence in a criminal case is expected. Special Agents audit financial records to determine if fraudulent activity is occurring. Agents may be selected to take part in special investigations including marijuana eradication, methamphetamine lab eradication, polygraph testing administration, and/or aerial surveillance. After a successful completion of a two-year training period, all Special Agents will be promoted to the next higher class. Inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in demotion or termination.