A diversion investigator (DI) is a person who investigates the movement of money or goods from one location to another. Most of the time, this job refers to law enforcement officers tasked with investigating illegal drug production, distribution, or sale. Many diversion investigators in the United States work for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), but other organizations also hire people to look into various product diversions.
If you want to work for the DEA as a diversion investigator, you’ll need a resume that shows you have experience analyzing data, developing solutions, and learning and correctly interpreting federal and state laws. These skill sets are frequently acquired through law enforcement or military service, but they can also be developed through other careers or a relevant college degree such as criminal justice.
A medical examination will be conducted the DEA to assess your physical fitness. Although the use of glasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids is permitted, you must demonstrate good hearing and vision. Before allowing you to work as a diversion investigator, the DEA will conduct a drug test and a background investigation in addition to a medical examination. They’ll be looking to see if you’ve used narcotics or other dangerous drugs in the past. If the DEA discovers any such drug use, most applicants will not be hired.
DIs who work for the DEA are subjected to random location reassignments throughout their service. This mobile lifestyle can be taxing for some people, so applicants must determine whether or not this is a good fit for them. If you still want to be a diversion investigator, the DEA’s Diversion Operations Unit will put you through a 12-week basic training program. Basic training will provide you with investigative skills, as well as education on drugs and drug laws and hands-on experience in the field.
Aside from tracking illegal drugs, a diversion investigator can work in a variety of fields, from detecting fraudulent bank transactions to preventing illegal electricity diversion checking meters in residential neighborhoods. Before you start scouting, keep in mind that most of these jobs won’t have the title of diversion investigator, which is almost always associated with the DEA. Instead, you could be a financial regulator or an internal auditor.
To become a diversion investigator, you don’t have to make it your full-time job. To successfully resolve diversions, law enforcement agencies and businesses frequently rely on tip-offs from citizen investigators. If this is a better option, look into diversion investigator associations, which teach members how to legally assist and cooperate with professional agencies.