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A diversion investigator (DI) is a professional who
probes the movement of money or product from its source to its destination. In
most cases, this job refers to drug enforcement professionals, who are tasked
with investigating the illegal production, distribution, or sale of drugs. In
the United States, many diversion investigators work for the US Drug and
Enforcement Administration (DEA), although other organizations also employ
workers to investigate various product diversions.If applying to become a
diversion investigator with the DEA, you will need a resume that demonstrates a
solid background in analyzing data, developing solutions, and the ability to
learn and accurately interpret federal and state laws. These skill sets can
often be acquired through experience in law enforcement or military service, but
may also be cultivated in other careers or through a relevant college degree
such as criminal justice. The DEA will also inspect your physical merit with a
medical examination. You will have to demonstrate good hearing and vision,
although the use of glasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids is permitted.
Along with a medical examination, the DEA will administer a drug test and
background investigation before allowing you to become a diversion investigator.
In particular, they will be looking to see whether you have any history of using
narcotics or other dangerous drugs. In most cases, applicants will not be hired
if the DEA finds any such drug use. Throughout their service, DIs who work for
the DEA are subject to random location reassignments. This mobile life can be
taxing on some people, and applicants need to decide for themselves if this
lifestyle is a good fit. If you still choose to become a diversion investigator,
you will undergo a 12-week basic training program conducted by the DEA's
Diversion Operations Unit. Basic training will equip you with investigative
skills, educate you about drugs and drug laws, as well as take you through
practical experience in the field. Outside of tracking illegal drugs, there are
a number of fields in which someone can become a diversion investigator, from
detecting fraudulent bank transactions to preventing unlawful diversion of
electricity by checking meters in residential neighborhoods. Before scouting,
however, be aware that most of these jobs will not carry the title of diversion
investigator, which is used almost exclusively in reference to the DEA. Instead,
you might be an internal auditor, or perhaps a financial regulator. You don't
necessarily have to make it a career in order to become a diversion
investigator. Law enforcement agencies and companies often depend upon tip-offs
from citizen investigators to successfully resolve diversions. If this is a more
viable route, seek out the aid of diversion investigator associations, which
train members how to legally assist and cooperate with professional
agencies. |
