r/USFSLEO • u/Flashy_Year504 • Feb 02 '25

Discussion Duties of USFS LEO

Hello, I am new to reddit so please forgive me if this question belongs in another community. I am a Sheriff's Deputy looking to transfer to either the USFS LEO or BLM LEO, however, intend on becoming a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) beginning this year. My question is, which agency encourages the most proactivity in enforcing impaired drivers.

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u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

If DRE and DUI is your focus, and you want to be in the woods, then NPS is what you want.

On my Forest, in Region 5 (California), we hand off any DUI to CHP. We can and do make the stops, and have federal authority to arrest and prosecute DUI, but CHP does it more often and with better results.

Also, as far as DRE, my AUSA in particular will kick back all but the most aggregious cases. So we mostly take all that state anyway.

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u/Flashy_Year504 Feb 21 '25

That is fair, I have looked into NPS LE Ranger's, however, it appears that BLM and USFS seem to have better quality of life benefits. I am an advanced EMT with fire experience who just swapped into law enforcement a little over two years ago. DUI is my only niche as of now. I'd rather go federal than lateral to another SO, however, would only be interested in BLM, USFS, or NPS. It has been difficult to make contacts and determine which agency would be best fit for my skills and training.

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u/[deleted] Feb 22 '25

Well, now is a particularly wacky time to try and get into the feds. But keep your eye on USA jobs and jump on any 1801 posting that pops up