Article from Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies- https://sps.columbia.edu/news/fbi-special-agent-deidra-strickland-turning-childhood-dream-reality?fbclid=IwAR1d-kglhbRejaRZoiPFK-KCbglATxqE-l0BlS7g4UScqOWjPrH31o5rFLM
Doing good for a living and serving her country to the greatest capacity is Deidra Strickland’s passion in life. Her career in law enforcement, and most recently at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), comes naturally for her. Columbia’s M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program helped Strickland master the dynamics of negotiation and navigate complex conflicts. She recently discussed her role at the FBI and her experience studying at Columbia.
What are your roles and responsibilities as a special agent at the FBI?
As special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, part of the U.S. Department of Justice, my duties consist of investigating violations of the federal laws of the U.S., collecting evidence in cases in which the U.S. is or may be a party of interest, and performing other duties imposed by law. Specifically, my current role is an acting supervisory special agent at FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C., within the Counterterrorism Division. I am also a team leader on the Threat Response Squad within the elite FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). I lead a team of special agents investigating acts of targeted violence, emerging domestic and international terrorism threats, and critical incidents. In addition, for special events, I am the liaison for this task force with the Crisis Management Squad. I create comprehensive operational plans, conduct briefings to deployed personnel and FBI executive staff, deploy to command posts, and serve as the principal operational team leader.
What attracted you to the world of law enforcement?
Becoming an FBI special agent was an elementary school dream! I knew about the role since the 4th grade. I am honored to be able to do good for a living, bring closure to victims’ families, disrupt terrorist activities, and serve my country to the greatest capacity. I am a firm believer in the significance of a core values-based, apolitical, collaborative, and facts-driven organization. Constitutional accountability is the cornerstone of our democracy, which the FBI reinforces throughout society. My internal desire to become a member of an elite worldwide organization with core values that embody integrity, diversity, accountability, and rigorous obedience to the Constitution aided in my daily motivation to obtain my dream. My prior entry-level and supervisory law enforcement experience at the local and state law enforcement level afforded me the opportunity to obtain an arsenal of applicable investigative skills for my career with the FBI.
Why did you decide to join Columbia’s M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program?
I decided to join Columbia’s M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program to…Read the full article here
