California Alcoholic Beverage Control Investigators

The Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board governs California's Alcohol Beverage Control Act. The organization was formed as a way to regulate and enforce alcohol related laws (mainly taxation) after prohibition was abolished in the U.S.

As an interesting side note, it was agencies like the California ABC which helped bring down the Mafia and greatly weaken the power the Mafia held over American society. As soon as the American public realized that paying the high taxes on alcohol was worth staying out of jail over a moonshine conviction, they no longer had to do business with the Mafia gangsters in order to enjoy their nights out on the town.

The ABC Board is headquartered in California's capitol city of Sacramento. From these offices the ABC splits its duties into three main functions; administration, licensing, and compliance. The administrative branch is responsible for just that, the behind the scenes administrative process that is necessary for any governmental organization to run efficiently. Licensing is charged with reviewing licensing applications and issuing those licenses to applicants who meet the board's licensing requirements. The enforcement division is responsible for enforcing the Alcohol laws of California.

ABC Investigators are fully certified police officers in the State of California. They have full arrest authority anywhere in the state, carry firearms, and must meet the same standards as any other cop in California. It is their job to investigate and make arrests for violations of the of the Business and Professions code. Areas within their primary jurisdiction are areas and premises which are licensed by the ABC.

Minimum qualifications for the entry level ABC Investigator position include: four year college degree with major or minor in law enforcement / police related field OR two years of college with majority of study completed in law enforcement / police related field and two years of law enforcement experience OR completion of the 12th grade and one year in California State service performing duties comparable to an ABC Investigator Trainee or one year of experience as a law enforcement investigator.

Currently, the ABC offers continuous recruitment for new Investigators. This means that a person may apply with the agency at any time and there are no application deadlines to meet. The ABC is very specific that emailed and faxed applications will not be accepted because applications received by the ABC must bear the original signature of the applicant. U.S. mail or hand delivery are the only two options for getting your application in.

Sources:

Investigator I. California Alcohol Beverage Control.

Mission Statement. California Alcohol Beverage Control.