Here, http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbull...0-seeking-advice-becoming-police-officer.html , I posted seeking advice and help concerning getting hired with the local police department. After that, I tested and failed the interview. I repeated the test later and again failed. A third time I took the test and a third time I failed the interview.
I just read my post and realize that I've matured a bit and also notice that my priorities and desires are virtually the same.
In the summer I did some learning and found that the U.S. Border Patrol might not be a bad place for me to start. While it's not something that I'm just thrilled about, I do realize the many benefits to me. It's a stepping-stone to a career in law enforcement should I continue to choose; it meets a requirement for my degree; and it possibly gives me hours toward my minor. As badly as I've wanted to post my progress with it here, I've postponed it until now.
In the past few weeks, I've applied, tested, filled out and mailed 150 pages, and passed a physical. Today I interviewed and was selected for a job, conditional to my passing the background check.
I simply felt the want to share this. Questions and comments are certainly welcome.
I am currently filling out my background info packet to test with the local PD on oct 10th. Would you have any insight on the tone of the interviews? I am sure it will varry department to department but what kind of questions did they hit you with? any input would be appreciated and i didn't mean to jack your thread, i'll go start my own.
This is what I understand. I'm going to start training immediately. I'm already proficient in Spanish and I don't think I'll have trouble with law, but PT is not my forte.
I saw somewhere that something like 40% or more of new BP agents quit within 6 months of hire.I think somebody said due to the hiring quotas and the fact a lot of people don't realise the harsh working conditions on the border.The pay with overtime is around $70,000 a year from my understanding,but the heat and job stress can be extreme.There are many incidents on the border most people never hear about until somebody gets shot or agents get charged with something.BP agents have been fired on from Mexico on a regular basis by drug runners.Good luck on your future job it can also be a rewarding career.
There are many incidents on the border most people never hear about until somebody gets shot or agents get charged with something.BP agents have been fired on from Mexico on a regular basis by drug runners.Good luck on your future job it can also be a rewarding career.
You mentioned three times that you've failed the interview. What aspect of the interview have you repeatedly failed?
From what I understand of the BP, it is an extremely grueling arm of LE. Not just the training but also the work and you have no idea where you'll be stationed. If you're having difficulty getting on with local PD, I believe you may have the same results with the BP.
While I wish you luck and admire your desire to join the BP, be sure to get as much info as possible on it as it won't be easy.
From what I understand of the BP, it is an extremely grueling arm of LE. Not just the training but also the work and you have no idea where you'll be stationed.
I strive in grueling conditions (other than while running). I was admin in the Corps and I hated being in the office. Applicants select a region and the service generally puts them in the region that they select. I selected "West Texas & New Mexico."
By God, if you were in the Marine Corps you oughta be able to make it in the Border Patrol for heaven's sake. Good luck, get back in shape and show 'em what your made of.
Thank you for deciding to serve your country again. I truly think the Border Patrol is our first line of defense these days.
IMO, anyone who made it through Marine boot camp should be able to make it through any LE academy. I found my academy to be easy compared to boot camp. OMO. YMMV
After the Marines trashed my knees and the disadvantage of my only slightly advanced age when I went to Police Academy. I found Academy a little grueling, but it was mind over matter.
I am extremely impressed at how you wrote this: a kid will blame others, while a mature adult will take ownership. I have been the interviewer in the past (not LE), and know that scoring is pretty arbitrary so I have no quarrel with your "they gave" part. But your willingness to add "I earned" tells me that you are 'there' or at least 'well on your way' to the maturity we all want for ourselves.
May the Lord bless your efforts, and protect you. Thanks for serving.
Most likely, I'll get to avoid Yuma and Ajo - although frankly, I think I could stand them and actually would like to cut teeth there - because I asked for "West Texas/New Mexico." The interviewers told me that I could easily go to Las Cruces or El Paso.
Paymeister, I'll virtually bow my head and get a little red-faced. I try, or at least honestly hope that I do.
For now, I'm still sitting around - ok, I'm running: I'd like to get up to 8k comfortably before I leave - and waiting for the background investigator to give me a call and then for a drug test and a report date.
Update:
As far as training, it's going pretty well. I'm busting my butt... but today I took off.
My background investigator called me tonight. It worried me when he said that I was 60 days delinquent on my credit card... especially considering that I've never had a credit card. Then I remembered that my dad, of the same name, had his credit card number stolen a while back. No big deal. I meet with him on Thursday.
Agave, congratulations and remember you will be working for the US Government and that you will be wearing a life preserver hanging to dear life to a boat while trying to make sense of what 150 hatians inside a skiff are screaming back at you in creole.... Yes, you will end up assigned to South Florida :rofl:
I talked to my background investigator yesterday. He said that there was no reason that I shouldn't get picked up in the first of next year. I'll celebrate when I get that call.
Those Agents in the Yuma and Tucson sectors do have their work cut out for them, very busy areas. Hard working guys and gals in a nasty environment!
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