How long is cbp officer academy

CBP currently employs almost 60, employees, which include 21, CPB officers and 20, border patrol agents. These professionals must meet specific requirements for employment with this federal law enforcement agency, which include:.

Candidates for CBP officer or border patrol agent jobs must be able to qualify, at a minimum, at the GS-5 federal grade level, which requires applicants to have at least 3 years of full-time general experience, which includes working well with people and displaying an ability to learn.

Candidates may also qualify through education if they lack experience. Although specific degree requirements are not necessary, many individuals choose to pursue degrees in such areas as: criminal justice, criminology, police science, emergency management, and homeland security. This day program is focused on operational effectiveness, enhanced enforcement tools and tactics, and building capacities as to ensure border security and prevent terrorism.

CBP officer training includes hours of practical exercise training, classroom time, and interactive scenarios. New trainees must pass 7 practical exercise tests, 8 written examinations, and 23 graded practical exercises.

The actors have detailed instructions, like to smile and flirt with the CBP trainee, or their script may call for them to avoid eye contact, bite their nails, and appear to be nervous. Madison, can you step aside for me for one second? A CBP trainer watching over the candidate's shoulder cracks a grin of approval and informs the officer in training that she successfully sidelined a would-be smuggler. This real-world scenario occurs at the federal law enforcement training center in Brunswick, Georgia.

These hopefuls are trying to be among the approximately candidates who graduate annually to become CBP officers. CBP officers work at official ports of entry and they decide who enters the country and who doesn't. But their broad authority has some civil rights advocates raising concerns. The curriculum for a CBP officer-in-training is broad, from constitutional law and computer training to firearms training and tactical role play. CBP officers are responsible for more than job-specific tasks, like upholding immigration laws and trade and commerce laws.

But the facility's Branch Chief Nick Sunderhaus says the focus is always on security. Since November , getting into the training academy may have gotten a little easier. Some specially qualified applicants no longer need to take the entrance exam and CBP is accepting slightly older applicants, increasing the age limit from 37 years old to the day before a candidate's 40th birthday.

President Trump has not mandated a hike in hiring for CBP officers like he did with border agents , but Sunderhaus says there has been a bump in candidates coming through the academy, and morale is good. I do have a criminal justice degree so I'm always trying to look for the next step.

And after graduating, the next step for Provost is up to Norton, Vermont, where he's been assigned to a border crossing in one of the most remote regions of New England.