 |
|
|
|
|
|
Border Patrol Career Requirements
Training to Work as a Border Patrol Officer
The federal government has stepped up its commitment to patrolling the nation's borders. That means there may be 6,000 new Border Patrol agent jobs by the end of 2008 for students who are currently training for a career in homeland security, law enforcement, or for those with military experience. The Border Patrol conducts an official training program for its federal agents at its facility in Artesia, N.M.
Career Requirements for Border Patrol officers include successful completion of stringent language training. New agents take 19 weeks of individual classes in Spanish language as well as immigration law, behavioral science, firearms, and operations courses. They are tested twice during a probationary on-the-job training period to see if they are qualified to remain in the service. After three years of service, officers are eligible for promotions. Many advance to other Border Patrol career positions in the Immigration and Naturalization service.
Career Requirements for Border Patrol Positions
All prospective officers must also pass a psychological screening, a comprehensive background check, drug testing, and a fitness-medical exam.
Students entering the Border Patrol officer training program hail from diverse backgrounds in undergraduate or graduate schooling in majors that include law, security, or criminal justice. The minimum requirement is completion of a high school diploma.
Once enrolled, Border Patrol candidates take high-speed driving classes as well as intensive physical fitness training. Additional instruction is required in the use of surveillance equipment (aircraft observation, electrical sensors, closed-circuit television, and night-vision scopes).
Featured online career colleges:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
