Violent organized crime and terrorism are two of the major concerns for those employed as homeland security professionals in St. Louis. After the September 11th terrorist attacks law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies realized that more inter-agency cooperation was needed. The result of this is seen today in Saint Louis with collaborations between agencies such as:
- FBI
- St. Louis Police Department
- Missouri Department of Public Safety
- Missouri Highway Patrol
- U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
These agencies conduct regular exercises and training in St. Louis, and enjoy an earned respect from the citizens of the city.
Finding the Right Homeland Security Degree and Certification in St. Louis
Degrees – Homeland security degrees in Saint Louis are offered by local institutions of higher education at the associate and bachelor levels and prepare students with a solid foundation of skills and knowledge to make a successful transfer to a specialized homeland security career. Policy makers for homeland security agencies come from a varied educational background, including:
- Homeland Security
- Public Administration
- Social Sciences
- Business
- Economics
- Information Technology
Certification – Law enforcement and special investigations agencies at the state and federal level also include homeland security certification programs as part of their training courses for new and advancing employees.
Qualifying for homeland security jobs in St. Louis can be accomplished through several means. Training institutes offer professional homeland security certification for citizens, officers, and law enforcement agents of all stripes. The Homeland Security CHS Level I-III is one such program where qualifying entrants will learn about the Department of Homeland Security’s National Response Plan plus preparedness and mitigation strategies.
Recent Multi-Agency Actions in St. Louis
More than 150 law enforcement officers from a wide variety of local, state, and federal agencies recently busted 125 suspects in a single day multi-state operation targeting drug distribution networks including those around St. Louis in high intensity trafficking suppression operation. Local police were involved in over 240 undercover operations during the two-year investigation leading up to the bust that also aimed to curb gun violence, netting quantities of meth, cocaine, marijuana, pills, and 108 firearms. This is one example of the collaboration often practiced by those holding homeland security careers in St. Louis.
In an even more localized operation, the Saint Louis Police Department and the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force participated in the dismantling of a 16-member heroin trafficking group in the city that also saw charges filed for money laundering and firearms violations. The operation was the culmination of a joint investigation lasting over two and a half years after law enforcement officers were tipped off to the gang’s activity. Heroin is identified as one of the most addictive drugs on the black market, and is definitely not a good mix with firearms.