CBP officer

[mlrtme]

Wondering,

I have already noticed several people from the Washington area that took their VBT's the same day as I did and their CASS updated as completed almost two weeks ago. Mine has still yet to update....? Starting to worry!

[audi0xpl0de]

Wondering,

I have already noticed several people from the Washington area that took their VBT's the same day as I did and their CASS updated as completed almost two weeks ago. Mine has still yet to update....? Starting to worry!

Did you take it in the same area? No news is good news. Reviewing all those tapes takes time.

[audi0xpl0de]

I checked mine today as well and it said the same thing today. Physical passed, but medical was sent for review...

The fitness test is one of the easiest things to clear, you either pass or failed. Normally it will clear within 2 weeks. All medical results need to be reviewed, this is standard procedure.

[soto2635]

if it is on the TO where would it be? i trying to mail this paper work back by the end of this week.

[mlrtme]

Did you take it in the same area? No news is good news. Reviewing all those tapes takes time.

Yes, we took it at the same place on the same day. It's tough to be patient when you find out other people passed when it was the same day, but I don't see how I could not have passed. Thanks for the info on the medical as it feels good to know that is standard procedure.

[qixfeet]

LOL! I know alot of you guys and gals out there are excited about the job. Just hang in there. you guys need to realize that it took some folks 1 to 3 years to get the job. If you only been in the process for 2 months, don't sweat it. You'll get there.

[robeans]

[/QUOTE]Merlin--I think if a vet fought the age limits with CBP, they would win the case. The MSPB has already ruled on the issue for, I believe, the State Dept. Unless there is some major change in the law, I don't see them changing their minds. I think now would be a great time for a vet to oppose the regulation. We just received 12(d) and the people who were hired before we received it don't have a retirement requirement even though they are covered by 12(d). The decision to not let vets on after they turn 37 really doesn't mesh with the current MSPB decision, the law, or CBP policies. CBP doesn't have a leg to stand on with this issue, other than "they must be hired before 37 so they can retire". That argument has already been tried and ruled irrelevant.[/QUOTE]

I read that decision last year. Very interesting, I can't believe it hasn't been tested again yet.

[MilwaukeeBucks]

Washington is the place to go for all you signing up. In my class of 42 there's like twenty from ports around Washington.

[Draven27]

Milwaukee,

Hey man!! Stop putting out the hot stuff!! You gon ruin my chances!!!
How's class? How's the PT??

[Peteylaw06]

It's funny b/c when I was taking the VBT I thought I sounded ridiculous (Like the CBPO administering the test was laughing at my responses outside). But seriously, she said that she thought my answers were appropriate. I'd imagine she has the video memorized by now. lol. But like everyone else said on the forum, use common sense and you should be fine.

[robeans]

Washington is the place to go for all you signing up. In my class of 42 there's like twenty from ports around Washington.

We've hired probably 40 or 50 just in Seattle in the past year.

[kc12]

Any former street cops who are now CBPOs- looking for some experiences and opinions on how you feel about the CBP job.

I have 5+ years on the road and finally got TO- three years after I took the test.

So, really, I'm wondering how the transition was and if you are satisfied or wish you could head back to the local level. I'm not a **** and vinegar rookie, so I'm not all about fighting people and such every day.

The port I applied for is mostly cargo ships, so I think being outside and actually moving around while doing work would be acceptable, as opposed to sitting in a booth for 8 hours.

Any input would be appreciated.

FYI, Charleston, SC is my port of choice, so any details would be great also.

Charleston also has cruise ships dock up there, so you will be talking with passengers, not just cargo. I spent three years running the streets with a local PD, had just over a year in a jail and spent 10 years running the streets with military PD. I can say I am tired of knocking down doors and getting into fights. I currently work at a cargo only seaport. I haven't seen a passenger in over nine months and can't even recall the questions I am supposed to ask. I normally sit in a truck all day and monitor cargo being discharged. I couldn't be happier. The boxes don't talk back and I enjoy the support of the supervisors and PD. All of the people in the chain at my port are very supportive of the troops. I do realize this is not the norm for the agency, but I wouldn't go back to running the streets again for anything. I have heard Charleston is a bit PC, but if your local in that area you will probably take a huge pay raise making the move. At least it was that way when I was up there several years ago.

One thing I have noticed is, at my port at least, going in with a positive attitude will get you many more opportunities than complaining about work. I'm not saying there aren't problems, but when compared to other jobs I've had this one has to be the best. I have been given opportunities as a 7 that many 11's would kill for, simply because of my attitude. At least that is what I'm blaming it on. There are a couple co-workers with similar back grounds as mine who complain, a lot, and haven't been given half of the opportunities given to me. Some of those co-workers were part of the "in" crowd with the Port Director, but they were passed over because of their attitude. Did I say I couldn't be happier?

[5hole]

kc12,
I am in a position where in the next 4-8 weeks I will have to decide between a career as a local police officer or CBPO. I have no experience with both. Are you willing to share with me what you find to be the advantages and disadvantages with both? PM me if you'd rather. Thanks.

[kc12]

If your looking for a lot of action don't go with CBP. Unless you're working the southern land border there really isn't much in the way of action. That doesn't mean we don't catch stuff, just not a lot of "knocking down doors and getting into fights." I currently work at a cargo sea port. When we catch stuff it is normally big. You can hide a lot of drugs in a sea container. Most of my job can be described as monitoring cargo discharges. There is a very small immigration portion of the job, but mostly it is cargo.

Working with the local Po-Po I was involved in much more violent incidents on a regular basis. The crimes weren't as large, but there were more of them. I also was able to see the results of my actions on the local community more than I ever will as a CBPO. Personally, I grew tired of knocking down doors and the agency I worked for didn't have a well established detective section. I couldn't see myself running the streets until retirement, my body was already getting beat up and the injuries were taking longer to heal. That would have been different if I worked at a larger agency, but then there would be more politics.

Either job has advantages. The work of CBP is more in line with my preferences at this time in my life. I don't have to worry about getting into fights anymore, but again that depends on your port. I am still considered a noob to the agency with less than 5 years in, but I am way to old and too experienced (read cranky) to be going all out and running around on the streets again. CBP has many options for specialized training that would only be a pipe dream at the local level, but because it is the federal government it can move very slowly.

[jbyrjax]

kc12 - just wanted to say thank you for your responses to this thread. I am still waiting on a new announcement to apply; however, reading your posts and many others here really make me think I've made the right decision in trying for CBP.