Homeland security in Lincoln is provided by the public servants of various local, county, state, and federal agencies based in the city, whose goal is the protection of their citizens. Homeland security jobs in Lincoln include everything from municipal police officers to the 72nd Civil Support Team of the National Guard. In the event of a terrorist attack, major emergency, or when called upon to combat major crimes or hardened criminals, law enforcement and investigative agencies will be there to help. Teamwork is commonplace among homeland security agencies, and in Lincoln this includes partnerships with:
- Nebraska Division of Criminal Investigation
- Nebraska Fusion Center
- Lincoln Police Department
- Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office
- Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
- Nebraska Army National Guard
- FBI’s Lincoln Resident Agency
- Nebraska State Patrol
Getting the Right Homeland Security Education
There are a number of local, state, and federal homeland security agencies based in Lincoln where qualified applicants can seek careers. Many of these positions either require previous formal homeland security education or consider a homeland security certification as a candidate strength. Many law enforcement agencies include homeland security fundamentals as part of their basic training, and prospective agents can always take a 15-credit undergraduate or 30-credit graduate certification course online such as:
- Certified Homeland Security I-III
- Certificate in National Security Studies
- Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security Management
- Graduate Certificate in Security Intelligence
A degree in Homeland Security is also an option for candidates who plan to excel in the field. These are offered online for Lincoln residents at the associate and baccalaureate levels. Associate degree courses include:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Physical Security
- Introduction to Statistical Reasoning
- Fundamentals of Homeland Security
Candidates going for full bachelor’s degrees have the option to study classes such as:
- Disaster Medical Operations
- Terrorism – Counterterrorism
- Principles of Management
- Geographic Information Systems
There are several state and private schools in Nebraska that offer two- and four-year degrees relevant for homeland security policymaker candidates who have a high school diploma or GED. Degree programs are in backgrounds such as:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Urban Planning
- Political Science
Task Force Takes Down Drug Kingpins
60 members of the law enforcement community participated in a recent operation that saw the arrest of seven men believed to be some of Lincoln’s biggest drug kingpins responsible for the distribution of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine. In the process of making the seven arrests, which officials believe is just the tip of the iceberg, law enforcement authorities also seized $80 thousand in cash, a pound of cocaine and meth, and five vehicles. In addition to dealing drugs, the group also dealt in the business of stolen property and faces firearms charges.
Agencies involved in the bust range from local to federal, and by working on task forces and conducting joint homeland security training, these organizations maintain their edge over criminals. The Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Unit, working with the FBI’s Lincoln Resident Agency and DEA agents were able to conduct surveillance and undercover operations against the drug trafficking organizations. When agencies collaborate on a task force they have jurisdictional advantages; city police officers have access to federal intelligence while federal agents have unfettered local access to municipal criminals. An important part of working in homeland security careers in Lincoln is being able to effectively participate in a team.