CBP officer

[m4rk567]

Anybody can share insights on Detroit land ports?

[Istanbul52]

Hey Guys I just got the call to set up my polygraph appointment!! Finally I’ve been waiting for almost a year but now I’m super nervous. Those of you who already took it what was it like?
I applied for NYC-jfk

[fonzi7979]

Istanbul52 congrats to receiving the call for the polygraph exam. Good luck and stay positive you will be fine. I am still waiting to be scheduled for the exam and I applied for JFK as well. What announcement are you in? Keep us posted.

[Phalenxz]

Congrats on getting the call. This process gets disheartening when you have been waiting for around 1.5 years then you get people getting called in under a year. But I guess at 1.5 years whats another year.

[m4rk567]

Phalenxz I started my process in Dec 2017 and eventually got the call Oct 2020. Sadly takes a lot of patience.

[Calitown]

GL, you'll be alright.

[Istanbul52]

Thank you!

[Krisown123]

ok so i just passed the poly last week. I just received this in an email

"We are contacting you regarding the required background investigation for the Customs And Border Protection Officer position with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Your tentative selection notification stated that your offer was contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, including a background investigation, which is a condition of employment. We have been notified by The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) that you are not suitable for the position of Customs And Border Protection Officer. Therefore, your tentative offer of employment is withdrawn because you have been deemed unsuitable for the position pursuant to 5 C.F.R. Part 731. This decision is final."

I was not given any reason or anything that I know would disqualify me... has anybody been in the same position before?? Also, I did not even start the background process as no investigator contacted me as of yet..

[merlin436]

Did they drop a NOPA on you previously that you failed to respond to or responded poorly?

[Krisown123]

merlin436 I didn’t get any NOPA’s , I checked mail, emails, phone calls.... in the cbp app it says I am still pending for the background investigation. Hopefully I get some type of way to resolve this issue

[bmak18]

I’d look up that CFR to see what the possible reasons could be? Just a thought. Good luck man

[SpcCain]

§ 731.202 Criteria for making suitability determinations.
(a) General. OPM, or an agency to which OPM has delegated authority, must base its suitability determination on the presence or absence of one or more of the specific factors (charges) in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Specific factors. In determining whether a person is suitable for Federal employment, only the following factors will be considered a basis for finding a person unsuitable and taking a suitability action:

(1) Misconduct or negligence in employment;

(2) Criminal or dishonest conduct;

(3) Material, intentional false statement, or deception or fraud in examination or appointment;

(4) Refusal to furnish testimony as required by § 5.4 of this chapter;

(5) Alcohol abuse, without evidence of substantial rehabilitation, of a nature and duration that suggests that the applicant or appointee would be prevented from performing the duties of the position in question, or would constitute a direct threat to the property or safety of the applicant or appointee or others;

(6) Illegal use of narcotics, drugs, or other controlled substances without evidence of substantial rehabilitation;

(7) Knowing and willful engagement in acts or activities designed to overthrow the U.S. Government by force; and

(8) Any statutory or regulatory bar which prevents the lawful employment of the person involved in the position in question.

(c) Additional considerations. OPM and agencies must consider any of the following additional considerations to the extent OPM or the relevant agency, in its sole discretion, deems any of them pertinent to the individual case:

(1) The nature of the position for which the person is applying or in which the person is employed;

(2) The nature and seriousness of the conduct;

(3) The circumstances surrounding the conduct;

(4) The recency of the conduct;

(5) The age of the person involved at the time of the conduct;

(6) Contributing societal conditions; and

(7) The absence or presence of rehabilitation or efforts toward rehabilitation.

(d) Reciprocity. An agency cannot make a new determination under this section for a person who has already been determined suitable or fit based on character or conduct unless a new investigation is required under § 731.104 or § 731.106, or no new investigation is required but the investigative record on file for the person shows conduct that is incompatible with the core duties of the relevant covered position.

[hopefulfedle]

I applied the beginning of October 2020. Did everything in the process so far except SI, Poly, and BI. Hopefully they start proceeding with SIs soon. I know they've been on hold because of COVID.

[Redwings1993]

After 3 years of waiting, I finally took the poly but received an email that I failed. Examiner told me I was lying on a portion of the test, but I was telling the truth. 8 year veteran with clean record, sad that things like this happen. I was pressured to admitting into something that was not true. I told the examiner that I was being truthful but I guess that did not help.

Anyone have similar experiences? I honestly feel betrayed especially having served my country and my community as an EMT. What can I do right now?

edit: the examiner was very professional and established a good rapport. I want to know why something like a polygraph can ruin these years of hard work to push through the process.

[V_AntCBP]

sorry to hear that Redwings1993 Unfortunately there is nothing you can do, that decision is final. just keep your mind clear and come back in 2 years for another round, there are people took multiple times before passing. Don't let this one time discourage you. I know its suck waiting 3 years and failed the stupid poly. Something is definitely wrong with CBP poly. Thats why it has the failing rate higher than FBI or USSS. But its on CBP management, nothing we can do about it. Once again, keep your head up man, you know you were honest and truthful. The issue is the test. Apply for something else and come back in 2 years for CBP if you really want it. GL bro

[Redwings1993]

I appreciate the support. The agency needs to fix their hiring process, they are losing so many potential candidates over false readings. I feel as if those who passed were just lucky overall and I’m pretty sure that statement will offend some people. I say this because I have read other agents on the forums saying that those that failed should suck it up and obviously did something wrong. I hope others can see that the polygraph is more of a hindrance than anything. Good luck to all future applicants, it’s been a good 3 year ride with me.

[merlin436]

The polygraph is mandated by Federal law. It's also well supported by those who make decisions based solely on the positives of the polygraph. It's very unlikely to go anywhere soon.

[Dgabriel627]

Anyone currently working at the O'hare airport POE? Could you describe the shifts and environment and give any advice to someone moving out to Chicago for the first time? Thank you very much!

[OutofRoll]

All i got to say good luck. EOD July

[SpcCain]

Same here. Where are you going to be at ?

[corsair]

Passed SI 3/12/19 still no Poly - lol

[standtheman]

same boat with you... poly completed OCT 2018 still no poly

[fonzi7979]

corsair I am still waiting as well hopefully soon all of us that been waiting well over a year will be scheduled.

[adsingh22]

Happy Sunday everyone! Does anyone know if jfk or lga are open for location choices?

[merlin436]

I believe LaGuardia is a tiny sub-office of JFK. It's unlikely that they'd be hiring off the street in the best of times.

JFK has 1200 plus CBP Officers. Normally, it's an odd occasion to see JFK not hiring. In a COVID world where passenger traffic has taken a huge hit...good luck at any port...especially an airport.

[SpcCain]

I was offered JFK so it may be open. I was told some ports either don't want entry level officers or they are full

[Mike_lowrey]

SpcCain when were you offered JFK? Im waiting on the call.

[NYBseBall89]

Does anyone know if VRA requests are stll a thing? I emailed the hiring center to see if they could contact me with an eod/port selection and I'm curious if they stopped doing that because of COVID. Long story short I was called for my EOD/Port selection back in February, but due to an upcoming deployment they had to wait until FY21 dates became available. I just contacted them, but who knows how long it will take before they get back to me.

[DeputyShireReef]

Gosh I hope so duty location is the only reason why I am still interested.

VRA 19-11

[NYBseBall89]

I hope so as well. If they don't offer locations that I'm comfortable with I will deny the offer.

[Dcatw93]

Hey everyone,

I finally got to take my poly last week and basically I was told that I did not pass. But, today received an call from the examiner that they need to do additional testing. Is this normal? Anyone else experience this?

[big_bob_69]

Not an uncommon story. They may even tell you that you need to retest and then you end up passing the first one and don’t have to retest...you can never tell.

[m4rk567]

Ideally its best to "pass" on the first try. But this better than to be told you do not qualify. Go again and continue giving your best.

[aramos]

I just completed today my second polygraph today. She did not give me any results. Any one has taking a second polygraph and passed? asking for myself.

[Kreale]

Yes, I had to take my polygraph twice. I passed

[SpcCain]

I've read conflicting information so I figured Id ask in here. Are CBP officers allowed to carry off duty?

[SpcCain]

Answered my own question.
They are always armed. All of these officers may be armed 24/7 anywhere in the US or Customs territory. Many choose to be armed off duty, many don't. (The officers stationed overseas obviously don't carry weapons off duty)

[merlin436]

There are places outside the US where CBPOs are armed. It depends on the agreements with the host countries.
.
Off-duty carriage is subject to agency policy. Many CBPOs carry on state authority, especially in those states who respect the 2nd amendment.

[m4rk567]

Yes. You may .

[191121811]

It's exciting reading everyone's progress reports. Hang in there guys! Total stranger rooting for you over here, fwiw.

I have a question about after we get on board: does anyone know much about working with K-9 units in CBP? Like how far into your career does an officer get those opportunities? Is there anything I can do before I apply to make it more likely some time in the future I could work with a K-9 unit for CBP?
And same question with off-road, 4x4, horse-mounted, and dirtbike-mounted opportunities.
I'm interested in a lot of different things at CBP, but these are like huge bonuses to me! ^^^

Good luck, all.
Hopefully I'll be not too far behind you.

[191121811]

Something from cajunchik from 11 years ago, 2009: "K9 is a great gig. You have to be at a journeyman level to even be accepted for that now (gs-11). But even then, you are competing against your coworkers, so you have to build up the resume. The great thing is that K9 gets to work all over with other agencies. It isn't uncommon for us to work with locals, DEA, or CBP airwing just to name a few. I am biased but I think it is the best job we have. Only problem is you are limited for supervisor positions and transfers. The dog is about 1 1/2 years old once training starts. They work until roughly 10 years. K9 school is in the middle of the woods in virginia."

[m4rk567]

A lot depends on where you are stationed. Its very likely that in El Paso you get te chance once you are journeyman than Chicago for example.

[merlin436]

Not many opportunities for off-road, 4x4, horse-mounted, and dirtbike-mounted duties in OFO.

[merlin436]

Also, FWIW, journeyman level is now GS-12.