CBPGuy
7 Years Experience
SouthWest, US
Male, 25
I am a U. S. Customs and Border Protection Officer on the southwest border between Mexico and the United States. I know the ins and outs of the job as seen on TV/News and things intentionally hidden from the media! There's more to this job than "Anything to declare?" I dont know all but I'll do my best to answer any questions you have! All answers are my opinion, and my opinion only!
Under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), we are allowed to carry any personal firearm that can be concealed. Generally, this means pistols/revolvers. You are not required to carry only your duty weapon.
I'm not sure of any tests you mean for your personal firearm. I have carried my personal firearm off duty since day one without taking any tests.
When I went through FLETC, we had 1 to 2 classes graduating every week. Now its slowed down a bit, so its about 1 a month. FLETC is 4.5 months long, not including 6 weeks of Spanish training. In CBP, all armed positions and Agriculture Specialists go to FLETC, the others do not.
If you receive a firm offer of employment, generally its only a month or so before you report for Pre-Academy. I would recommend renting a room or an apartment for the 30 days of pre-academy. It would not make financial sense to keep the place while your at FLETC. During your last month at FLETC is when you want to start searching for apartments or possibly return to something that is month-to-month until you are more situated.
As a GS-12 (pay scale), I earn about $110,000 a year with overtime. The pay scale goes like this:
GS-5 (first year) = $35,000GS-7 (second year) = $43,000GS-9 (Third Year) = $52,000GS-11 (Fourth Year) = $62,000GS-12 (Fifth Year) = $76,000
After you hit GS 12, every year or so you get a raise of about $2,000 to $3,000. All the numbers mentioned above are approximate and include my additional locality pay.
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To be honest with you, the job satisfaction working for NYPD is much greater than working for CBP. Also, you currently have better retirement benefits with NYPD. However, you will be paid much more with CBP and also have the opportunity to travel the world (if you want to).
Its up to you on what is more important.
Not necessarily. Sometimes, being referred to secondary only means the Officer on primary wants another Officer to take a bit more time to gather information versus immediately granting you entry into the United States.
On primary, the Officer only has two thought processes; "Yes, I will allow this person in the United States." or "I'm not completely sure if I should". If the Officer is not 100% confident with the first decision, he will send you to secondary for someone else to make a better determination.
1) To be honest, I've never seen that before. It may be a local port thing.
2) That doesn't necessarily mean misrepresentation, unless the officer ascertains that you purposely were trying to hide your true intentions. It's not illegal to have a fiance in the United States, but it is illegal to lie to a federal officer regarding the real reason why you want to enter the United States.
Misrepresentation charges are used primarily for people who try to use a stolen visa or stolen passport to make entry.
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