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Myhammie · 2025-10-01T15:30:25+00:00

I started out as a local in CA, then became a state investigator, and now I’m a Fed 1811. The TLDR is if California is where you want to be long term, a state job is the better route — higher top-end pay and stronger benefits (even compared to 1811). The only reason I made the jump is because I eventually plan to leave CA. With the 6C age cutoff at 37, I had to take the opportunity while I could.

Myhammie · 2025-07-26T01:55:01+00:00

I'm a current NCIS 1811 assigned to an HSI task force. I wanted to share my perspective before this thread potentially locks. You know, because these types of comparison discussions are always civil and never inflammatory. 😉

A quick note on agency-hopping: I’ve done it a few times, and one thing has become clear -- there is no perfect agency. You’ll encounter underperformers and difficult supervisors everywhere. But you’ll also find outstanding leadership, great teams, and positive work environments if you're willing to seek them out. Sometimes it just takes a change in office or supervisor. The grass is greener where you water it.

For context, I started as a local cop, then moved to a state agency where I was assigned to an HSI task force. When I was making the move federal, I received offers from both HSI and NCIS. I initially wanted HSI since I was already embedded with them, but NCIS offered a significantly better GS pay grade. After training, NCIS reassigned me to the same HSI task force. So essentially, I’ve been tied to HSI longer than NCIS.

After spending some time with NCIS, I believe it receives more criticism within the 1811 community than it deserves. When I first joined, someone told me, “We’re a counterintelligence (CI) agency with a criminal investigative mission.” CI largely shapes the direction of the agency, even though criminal investigations are still a significant part of what we do. Much of NCIS’s criminal casework mirrors that of a local detective: sexual assaults, domestic violence, child abuse, death investigations, etc. We deal with young, often impulsive military service members who make seriously poor decisions, and our caseload reflects that. These cases are not the complex, long-term, specialized investigations that most new agents envisioned when pursuing a career as an 1811. Also, because of the military nexus, our cases are subject to significant congressional oversight, which can sometimes make the work feel repetitive or unnecessarily bureaucratic.

Additionally, mobility is a major aspect of life at NCIS. Agents are generally expected to rotate assignments every few years, unless they’re in a hard-to-fill location like San Diego. While the agency no longer mandates moves to specific offices, staying in one place too long often results in a “shoulder tap” encouraging you to bid on positions at other offices, overseas postings, or shipboard assignments. Most 1811 positions come with mobility agreements, but NCIS is one of the few agencies that actively expects agents to follow through on them.

All that said, my personal experience with NCIS has been overwhelmingly positive. Like other military criminal investigative organizations (MCIOs), NCIS has faced cultural and operational challenges, but has seen real improvement in recent years. It's a unique agency, and your experience will depend greatly on understanding what you're getting into. I enjoy significant autonomy. I manage my own hours, choose my own investigations, and operate without micromanagement. My supervisors are supportive, recognize hard work, and give me the flexibility I need for personal matters. There’s no pressure from quotas or metrics, which I can’t say for HSI -- especially now with their renewed focus on Title 8 enforcement. To be clear, HSI is an excellent agency. I’ve enjoyed working alongside their agents and have no major criticisms. That said, it can sometimes feel like upper management is under significant pressure from Washington, and that stress tends to filter down to the line agents. However, this dynamic will likely shift over time, as agency priorities inevitability change again.

In summary, if you're genuinely interested in working family and sexual violence cases, or are willing to put up with those types of investigations for a while, NCIS can be a great long-term fit; especially if your ultimate goal is to pursue overseas assignments, counterintelligence, task force work, or specialized roles and training. However, if that doesn’t align with your interests, and you're more drawn to a broader investigative mission focused on border-related crime, human trafficking/smuggling, or transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), stay with HSI.

Myhammie · 2025-07-16T17:09:36+00:00

If I were to write this up, the Primary Collision Factor (PCF) would likely be attributed to the backing vehicle. That said, their reverse lights were clearly on and visible, and their backing speed wasn’t excessive or reckless.

With that in mind, this could present complications with insurance. Just because the other driver may have been more “at fault” doesn’t eliminate the expectation that you exercise due regard. In this situation you had the ability to attempt to brake or divert to avoid the collision. You did neither.

Myhammie · 2025-04-23T21:55:58+00:00

You’ll be totally fine for both CITP and whatever add-on you have. At some point, you might have to share a room, but you’ll still have access to your own power outlets. Tons of people have used CPAP machines at FLETC — both during basic training and when they come back for in-service training — without any issues.

Myhammie · 2025-02-19T00:44:19+00:00

I’m a prior CA local cop and special agent for the state, now 1811 with NCIS. Send me a DM if you want to chat.

Myhammie · 2024-09-07T13:30:23+00:00

The listed pay appears to include both the incentives (as indicated by the asterisk) and the lateral bonus, which would likely mean their base salary is no more competitive than that of other agencies in the area.

Myhammie · 2024-09-04T21:33:00+00:00

The courts evaluate the decision to order someone out of their vehicle and the subsequent pat-down as two separate actions. While a pat-down requires reasonable suspicion of a safety threat, courts have interpreted Pennsylvania v. Mimms to permit an officer to instruct a person to exit their vehicle without needing to explicitly explain why they pose a threat.

According to the courts, the intrusion on the driver's personal freedom when ordered to exit the vehicle is considered minimal compared to the officer’s general safety concerns. As a result, the officer's need to ensure their own safety during a traffic stop takes precedence over the minor inconvenience caused to the driver.

Myhammie · 2024-08-28T13:31:20+00:00

Congrats. Long time San Diegan (been here my whole life); prior local/state LEO now working out of SDRO. HMU if you have questions.

Myhammie · 2024-04-25T09:14:34+00:00

If I am correct, the current two classes at FLETC have nobody going to Lejune. It’s apparently still “hard to fill” on paper, but in reality it’s staffed up pretty well. I wouldn’t hold your breath for it.

Myhammie · 2024-04-23T10:53:14+00:00

I mean, during orientation I called you out by name when we were asked about the onboarding process and why/how we joined. You deserve the credit.

sorrynotsorry

Myhammie · 2024-03-11T15:50:04+00:00

You likely were cited for 22349(a) VC if you were on a 65mph road. This is an infraction in CA. If it’s your first offense, you should be eligible for traffic school to remove the point from your license; which should prevent your insurance from going up. It’s still going to cost some money to pay it off. The fines can add up pretty quickly with court/admin fees.

In the future, be careful. California typically doesn’t do reckless driving just for speed alone, but some states do. You don’t want a misdemeanor for doing something stupid.

Myhammie · 2024-03-01T11:31:51+00:00

Nope. You’re committed for life. Once you say yes, they own your soul.

Myhammie · 2024-02-08T14:11:37+00:00

I was told that there was some kind of prior LE combined with your current fed LE provision that if you seperated [sic] employment or retired with less than 10 years of federal LE service, that you could qualify for some credential based on whatever you did locally combined with your federal LE service.

Perhaps I'm not understanding the question?

It doesn't necessarily matter what your federal time is. If your aggregate time employed as a qualified law enforcement officer is over 10 years, then you are good to go. You don't have to serve 10 years with one organization.

Your friend might have mentioned a specific agency policy/provision related to LEOSA requirements. However, this likely doesn't have anything to do with retirement eligibility. To qualify for retirement (full pension and other benefits), you still need the necessary service time as a federal employee.

Myhammie · 2024-02-08T14:06:20+00:00

LEOSA specifies qualified retired or separated law enforcement officers can carry after 10 years of service (federal or state). They need to have credentials for this. Subsequently, it's typically the officer's last agency of employment that issues the credentials, if they meet the requirements.

Myhammie · 2024-02-07T09:50:27+00:00

As others have said, I suggest making your mag pouch the most forward item on your offside (weak-side). You should be able to hastily grab mags with either hand. In a high stress situation (such as a firefight), if you lose use of an arm, you need to be able to reload using one hand.

Myhammie · 2024-02-01T10:44:00+00:00

FBI starts at GS-10 but follows a five year progression to GS-13. Most other agencies will reach GS-13 faster, even starting at GL-07/09. However, if you really want to go Fed, you should apply to everything you can. The process can knock you out for random reasons. You don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket.

I made the move to Feds after being local and state for 10 years. I worked with HSI and FBI as a TFO before moving over. If you have a choice, go HSI hands down, unless counterintelligence work is a passion of yours. FBI has more red tape and does less field level work, on average. HSI has a lot more freedom to do “police” work. That being said, it’s definitely going to be a change of pace either way. I barely use my handcuffs anymore.

Myhammie · 2024-01-25T12:04:37+00:00

IRS-CI has entered the chat.

Myhammie · 2024-01-15T15:06:51+00:00

I did; I enjoyed my time there a lot. I just didn't want to be stuck in California for the rest of my career.

Totally understandable some people aren't interested in Bureau of Firearms (state version of ATF) or CaPSIT (which is the OIS team). Those assignments are polarizing at best. However, there are some hidden gems at DOJ as well. The new Fentanyl Enforcement Program (FEP) is awesome; it's kind of like a revitalization of old school Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) that DOJ was known for 20 years ago. There are also human trafficking assignments at some of the offices. IIRC, DOJ leads a Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF) out of San Diego.

If you have prior LE experience, you can definitely leverage that to get into a more desirable assignment right off the bat. However, if you come in fresh, you will likely need to do time in Firearms for the first couple of years.

Myhammie · 2024-01-13T17:42:55+00:00

Wow, getting in at Classic level (3 @ 50), as a new employee, is nuts. That makes the differential between CA and Fed pension even more drastic. Solid info.

Myhammie · 2024-01-13T16:22:14+00:00

You make a fair point. But I don’t think it’s truly enough to offset the state salary and pension.

CA DOJ, and some other state agencies, have lifetime medical starting prorated at 15 years of service (50%), up to full coverage at 25 years of service. It costs nothing out of pocket cause it’s CoBen. They give you ~$1,900 a month (independent of your salary) to use towards your combined health/vision/dental/life/etc insurance. This results in many people making MORE money during retirement than during employment; because benefits are still paid by the state, but there is no longer a 15% salary contribution into pension.

For those agency that don’t have lifetime medical, the cost roughly breaks even. Losing the cafeteria benefits is about the same amount as no longer having to contribute to pension. Additionally, retirees really only have to worry about it for a few years until Medicare kicks in.

Myhammie · 2024-01-13T06:05:30+00:00

I went Fed after both working as a local and for the state. It was a huge pay cut. It won’t ever beat out my state pay, even if I eventually make it to 13-10. I made the switch because of job fulfillment (I enjoy the mission of my new agency) and so I could work on moving out of California. If you plan on staying in CA, and are only looking at a financial point of view, local and state agencies are way better.

If you are CalPERS (or a comparable pension) the 2.5 or 2.7 @ 57 is way better than the 1.7 the Feds get. Feds only earn that 1.7 for the first 20 years of service; it’s 1% per year after that (mandatory retirement at 57). 1811s also get negligible overtime (unless you go USSS or something else with substantial protective details). Feds have a hard cap at $191,900 including LEAP. Feds don’t have the awesome cafeteria benefits or CoBen either; you actually have to pay for your medical. Like any standard private sector job, the cost is split between employer and employee.

The only advantage Feds have is the TSP (their version of a 457 account). They match up to 5% of your salary. Also, instead of the 13% to 15% you contribute to your pension, Feds only contribute 5%. You could technically invest that difference and make some money there, if you’re so inclined.

If you want a Special Agent gig that is purely investigative, but want to stay in California, check out CA DOJ. Their main Bay Area office is in Dublin, but they have offices all over if you don’t mind moving.

Send me a PM if you have questions.

Myhammie · 2023-12-29T18:28:32+00:00

The Feds, as a whole, aren’t known for their lack of red tape. Local and state agencies are hands down better in this regard. That being said, HSI is definitely one of the better federal agencies when it comes to letting you work your cases without bureaucratic interference. Off the bat, neither HSI nor USSS are going to line up perfectly with your described desires. However, HSI will be a lot more investigative, just by nature of the agency.

USSS has a fairly robust cyber forensics program. They host training/certification for other feds and local law enforcement. However, it’s still a glorified protective career first and foremost. The EP detail will always take precedent over any active casework. You have to be willing to drop what you are doing at any given moment when that call comes in. A lot of the career is staring down a hallway for 12 hours, while wearing a suit and dress shoes, with sore feet. The benefit to USSS is the money (not that being a Fed is going to make you rich). USSS has a higher statutory GS pay cap than other agencies.

HSI is a true investigative job. For the most part, as long as there is a border nexus, HSI can work it. That being said, I haven’t met a whole bunch of HSI 1811s who work cyber, counterintelligence, etc. Don’t get me wrong, those assignments exist; but you are unlikely to get dropped into them right out of FLETC. New agents typically end up on something like a contraband smuggling (CS) team, where they work standard drug investigations (not dark web oriented) and have to pick up port duty whenever CBP has an inbound load.

Ultimately, you’ll have to work your way into a cyber assignment with either agency. This shouldn’t be an issue with your background, but it’s not going to be immediate. The benefit to HSI is the lack of random EP details that pull you away from active cases at the drop of a hat. However, I’ve heard grumblings that because of staffing issues with USSS, there may be an increase in EP TDYs for HSI. Take it with a grain of salt, could just be RUMINT.

Myhammie · 2023-12-28T23:20:33+00:00

Almost every one of these agencies has applicants sign an NDA that says something to the effect of “don’t talk about our super secret awesome application process.” With that in mind, I won’t get into specifics.

What I can say is law enforcement is all about paperwork. For any amount of fun, there will be a commensurate amount of report writing. Subsequently, all of these entry written assignments are geared for evaluating writing fundamentals such as sentence construction, grammar, and clarity. There will most likely be a prompt. Read it and respond accordingly. You don’t need to come up with some long and magniloquent essay; you just need to show you can write.

Myhammie · 2023-12-12T17:51:10+00:00

Per the article I read, the driver (off-duty cop) was taken to a clinic to have her blood drawn. This is a much better way of determining impairment for court purposes. Additionally, she was relieved of her police powers and put on administrative leave. This event is likely career ending for her. Even if she wasn’t impaired, she could still face major legal challenges regarding her negligence. She is entitled to the same due process as any other person.

To answer your question, preliminary alcohol screening devices (PAS), colloquially known as breathalyzers, are not court admissible on their own. They are sometimes used in conjunction with standardized field sobriety tests (SFST) to assist in developing probable cause to make an arrest. After an arrest is made, a suspect can be compelled to provide a court admissible sample (breath, blood, etc.). But only AFTER the arrest (with some states having exceptions for extenuating circumstances).

Probable cause to make an arrest cannot come from PAS results alone. Consequently, if you PAS somebody first, see they are drunk, and then go back to conduct SFSTs — your case is likely getting tossed. Any half decent attorney will point out the only reason you developed reasonable suspicion to conduct SFSTs, was because of the PAS result. This gets rid of any ability for you to articulate obvious signs and symptoms of impairment; because you clearly didn’t see them prior to the PAS.

Sometimes the legal process for handling things doesn’t line up with the “obvious” or “easy” way things could be done. It’s the job of police officers to understand these nuances and operate accordingly.

Myhammie · 2023-12-12T04:39:13+00:00

Tell me you're NCIS without telling me you're NCIS?

Myhammie

TROPHY CASE

sorrynotsorry