Border Patrol Selection Process

CJA/214
December 06, 2010
Deborah Alsup

Border Patrol Selection Process A border patrol agent is a federal law enforcement officer who prevents illegally people from entering the country. Border patrol agent’s job can be difficult and demanding; in the United States security is their main priority. Because there has been an increased in terrorist threats, keeping weapons and terrorists from crossing the border is the key priority of a border patrol. In this paper, I describe the selection process for a border patrol agent. I will also include the training process and career development programs for officers.
Border patrol officer’s jobs can be overwhelming: to walk the beat and safeguard more than 5,900 miles of land boundaries and on the coast more than 1,999 of boundaries. Today the canyons, mountains, deserts and beaches of the United States are safeguard by roughly 10,000 plus border patrol agent. They patrol by helicopter, boat, all-terrain vehicle, foot, horseback, motorcycle, bike and snowmobile.
The process to becoming a border patrol agent can be difficult for an individual thinking about presuming a career in this field. To eliminate amateur applicants the interview process can be complicated. It can take up to eights to complete the process from beginning to end. Border patrol prospects must be in good health, demonstrate cleverness, bravery, and speak a foreign language or capable to be taught to speak bilingual.
The age is for border patrol applicants is 39 and under. Applicant must hold a legitimate driver’s license, must be a citizen of the United States. Some experience and education or the combination of both is considered, preferably a bachelors degree. The applicant cannot have impaired hearing and must be able to read clearly something from 100 feet away, also can read only at 20 feet. Application for a border patrol agent has to be completed and submitted online. To apply for a posting there are five levels to the process that consist of an online application, written examination, selection process, oral interview, and pre-employment screening. Upon completion of an application the individual will be evaluated to determine whether he or she meets the requirements to proceed further with the process.
The Border Patrol Training Academy is known as one of the federal law enforcement most challenging programs. All newly recruited Border Patrol Agents must attend the academy for their basic law enforcement training. A 19-week resident course of instruction must be completed by each border patrol agent in physical training, driving, integrated law, Spanish, and firearms instruction. A passing score is requirement by each border patrol trainee in all courses of instruction to stay aboard.
An important step in becoming a border patrol agent is physical training. To ensure that they are physically fit to perform their duties trainees must go through several trails on a day-to-day basis. To a valid slight to no personal harm recruits be able to deal with hazardous circumstances and trained to respond to obstacles on all types. Physical abilities and self confidence is important at the academy. To ensure proper job performance and functionality after leaving the academy trainee must maintain a relationship with physical fitness. Recruits will have to pass three timed events to complete the physical exam learned throughout the course. To graduate from the academy and to complete a physical training recruits will have to complete a 220 meter dash, a confidence course, and a one half mile run in a set time.
In addition to physical training, an average of 70% is required of border patrol recruits to pass four law courses in order to become a border patrol agent. Immigration law, statutory law, criminal law, and nationality law are the four courses new recruits have to pass. In the United States 90% of detain immigrates speaks Spanish only, the border patrol training is taught to communicate effectively in Spanish. Recruits are tested shortly after arriving at academy on their language capabilities. A 55-day course is required if a trainee need improvement on their language requirements. The course is need recommended if a trainee is already proficient speakers in Spanish.
How it is important that all trainees pass the firearm training course, new recruits will be trained in survival techniques with firearms, instinctive reaction shooting, safety, and judgment shooting. Trainees will be re-evaluated for eligible for the program and granted additional time to pass if he or she fails to complete the firearms course. Similar to the firearm program, recruits must learn to operate and the proper way to perform a vehicle in the correct way and to graduate from the academy a test must be passed in multiple areas.
Border Patrol Agent work hours consist of 40 hours but will be required to work long hours with consistent of overtime, be prepared to work shifts under grueling situation, and be skilled in the use of and carry a handgun. Periodically there will be random drug testing. On short notice agents may be sent on short-term assignments and to any duty site on permanent reassignments. The Southwest border is the place all Border Patrol Agents begin their careers.
A Border Patrol Agent job salary is dependent on a grading scale from $38,000.00 to $64,000.00 per year. A specific sector and station placement determine the adjusted salaries for locality. Occasionally hazardous but rewarding there are a retirement program, overtime compensation, a uniform allowance, annual salary increases, a variety of life and health insurance programs, and a benefit package that includes vacation days.
In short, capturing violators of the immigration and nationality laws both before and after entering the border is the Patrol agent job or primary focus. Smugglers of both aliens and narcotics are often capture and detained by patrol agents safeguarding the border areas. Many times patrol agents reply to risky situations alone without help frequently on foot and carry out their duties in rural areas. To deal with armed and dangerous persons each patrol agent is required to be prepared both psychologically and physically. With the employment screening and training borders patrol agents are definitely equipped to perform their job duties.

References
Border Patrol Recruiter. Retrieved from http://www.borderpatrolrecruiter.com/border_patrol_academy_training Wallace, O. (2010). WiseGeek. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-prepare-
for-a-career-as-a-border-patrol-agent.htm