Elaine Xydis Lipka’s criminal justice foundation

A desire to enter law enforcement often starts at an early age, and it did for Elaine Xydis Lipka. She began college with that goal in mind and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from the University of Delaware. That was 1984. Soon thereafter, the true foundation for her three-decade career in the field was created.

From 1985 to 1989, Elaine Lipka worked with the U.S. Probation Office out of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was in its adult probation and parole department. As an officer with the state and county, she was responsible for federal and county courts. Her responsibilities included supervising probationers and parolees, investigating alleged violations, presenting necessary evidence to the District Attorney’s Office and U.S Attorney’s Office regarding the prosecution of parole and probation violators, crafting investigative reports as well as recommendations for sentencing, testifying as needed and securing and serving both subpoenas and warrants. These four years may sound like standard practices, but it was critical work toward Lipka’s long-term criminal justice career. Many of these tasks are still necessary as she works today, and since 2005, as an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigations.