Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hi, I was just wondering if somebody could help me out with a question I had. I was offered an 1811 CI position with ICE. I will be heading down to FLETC shortly, but I needed to know, if for any reason I complete CITP training, and graduate from that program but am unable to stay for the ICE SA portion of the training (the last 3 Months out of the 6) would I have to repeat the CITP portion again if were to come back at a later date or if I were starting with another agency next year?

Or does the completion of the CITP portion mean that if I came back or were working for another such as SS, ATF, etc, I would only be required to attend agency specific training, but not repeat CITP at Glynco.

Also, if anybody is familiar with the rules and policies on this in specific regard to how ICE looks at this, could you please let me know. It would be much appreciated.

Any input or insights would be great!

I am just not familiar with the process yet and I need to know.

Thanks guys!

If I'm reading your post correctly, you've accepted an agent position with ICE OI, and are expected to go to CITP, but still have applications with other federal agencies, correct?

I'll be honest, there's probably no way to burn a bridge worse than accepting a job, having an agency pay for CITP or other requried training, and then jumping ship. It's a decision you have to make personally, but I STRONGLY discourage it. The mature, professional thing to do is accept a job and give it at least a year before considering other options, but you're an adult and will have to make big boy decisions for yourself.

With that said, if you complete CITP, likely you will not have to repeat it, so long as you do not leave law enforcement for an extended amount of time. For example, if hired by ICE OI, if you tried to go to USSS (the "SS" was the secret police under Nazi Germany, not the agency that protects the president) or ATF, you would only be required to complete their add-on academies. On the other hand, if you went through CITP for ICE, didn't like it and decided to return to your corporate job for a few years while reapplying to USSS or ATF, then you may be required to reattend CITP, but it would be a decision the hiring agency would make.

Hi, I was just wondering if somebody could help me out with a question I had. I was offered an 1811 CI position with ICE. I will be heading down to FLETC shortly, but I needed to know, if for any reason I complete CITP training, and graduate from that program but am unable to stay for the ICE SA portion of the training (the last 3 Months out of the 6) would I have to repeat the CITP portion again if were to come back at a later date or if I were starting with another agency next year?

Or does the completion of the CITP portion mean that if I came back or were working for another such as SS, ATF, etc, I would only be required to attend agency specific training, but not repeat CITP at Glynco.

Also, if anybody is familiar with the rules and policies on this in specific regard to how ICE looks at this, could you please let me know. It would be much appreciated.

Any input or insights would be great!

I am just not familiar with the process yet and I need to know.

Thanks guys!

So why would you not be able to stay for ICESAT?

Also keep in mind, not all agencies accept CITP even if you recently completed it. I knew one girl who did ATF, hated it (was there for less than a year), and signed on with DSS and had to do CITP all over again. You cant bank on it that is for sure.

Also keep in mind, not all agencies accept CITP even if you recently completed it. I knew one girl who did ATF, hated it (was there for less than a year), and signed on with DSS and had to do CITP all over again. You cant bank on it that is for sure.

When was that? Also, remember DSS have not been 1811s that long. Maybe that had something to do with it.

I have heard of many people going from one agency to another. In any case where the agency sends their people to FLETC for CITP AND it has been less than 5 years since having taken CITP, they were obligated to attend only the agency-specific training. I have known several that were well beyond that 5 year window, but it depends on the agency.

I know of 2 or 3 individuals that went to other agencies very shortly after graduating the academy (full term for the agency where they initially hired). I know one guy who left his agency training to go to another agency. None of the powers-that-be were happy, but no one else really blamed him. :)

I know one guy who left his agency training to go to another agency. None of the powers-that-be were happy, but no one else really blamed him. :)

We had a guy do something similar. Went through CITP and SABT with us, but had been in the process the entire time with an OIG gig, which he immediately went to after graduating (even had our agency pull strings to move him to the initial duty station of his choice before leaving due to a hardship request). He may be happy where he's at, but he killed any chance of coming back to us if things didn't work out.

When was that? Also, remember DSS have not been 1811s that long. Maybe that had something to do with it.

I have heard of many people going from one agency to another. In any case where the agency sends their people to FLETC for CITP AND it has been less than 5 years since having taken CITP, they were obligated to attend only the agency-specific training. I have known several that were well beyond that 5 year window, but it depends on the agency.

I know of 2 or 3 individuals that went to other agencies very shortly after graduating the academy (full term for the agency where they initially hired). I know one guy who left his agency training to go to another agency. None of the powers-that-be were happy, but no one else really blamed him. :)


Switch,

It was just a few months ago actually. I know as a general rule most agencies accept it, maybe she was a special case or DSS is an exception to the rule. I know everyone thought it was totally insane that she was going through the same exact training she went through just a year before. Just goes to show though, you never know whats going to happen...

...and DSS goes to FLETC, don't they?

Hmmm... plain stupid.

...and DSS goes to FLETC, don't they?

Hmmm... plain stupid.


Yep, they go to fletc for CITP, then Maryland for their add-on.

Thanks for all the responses and insight, I appreciate it.

I have to be very careful, the last thing I want to do is burn bridges.
Also, how does it work?

Once CITP is completed, do you actually go through a graduation ceremony or does it flow right into ICESAT or whatever Special Agent training you are going for?

I know ICE has their academy at Glynco, but does everything basically stay the same once CITP is over, or does your living situation and overall experience change?

Thanks again for your insights.

Way back when i went through, we had a basic ceremony just before lunch... after lunch, we were being beat down by the USMS staff. :)

The onlysignificant changes for us was a change in uniforum from a DOJ seal on our chest to a polo with the USMS star. The unifomr is all different these days. Also, we were able to drive our cars on campus. :)

You Fed flakes type funny.

Or does the completion of the CITP portion mean that if I came back or were working for another such as SS, ATF, etc, I would only be required to attend agency specific training, but not repeat CITP at Glynco.

Thanks guys!

ICE SA is a really good gig, if you left for the USSS it would be insane.

I am former UD and respect the Service but if you poll 10 USSS-SAs I'd bet most would jump for ICE...it better be a dream job because you are going to p*ss off a lot of people.

Good luck.

You have to understand that everyone has their own view of the "ideal job". If you love PSD work, the USSS is great. If you love PSD and like playing politics, then State Department is your thing. I HATE PSD work.

I am like a pig in $h1t, but there are plenty of other agents that would not like to do what I do. Similarly, there are very few agencies that I would like to go to. ICE is not one of them. If you get into narcotics, you are fine. If you get stuck on immigration, it is a miserable job and I have yet to meet an ICE agent in immigration who is happy.

So, the bottom line is, y ou have your opinion and he has his. :)

Thanks for all the responses and insight, I appreciate it.

I have to be very careful, the last thing I want to do is burn bridges.
Also, how does it work?

Once CITP is completed, do you actually go through a graduation ceremony or does it flow right into ICESAT or whatever Special Agent training you are going for?

I know ICE has their academy at Glynco, but does everything basically stay the same once CITP is over, or does your living situation and overall experience change?

Thanks again for your insights.

Just graduated from the ice academy a month ago. Yes you have a graduation ceremony for CITP then go set up your new classroom for ICESAT. It almost feels like starting all over again. Most classes stay in the same dorm they started in, but Ive heard of others having to change dorms occasionally after finishing CI. With ICE there is no break in between academies, some agencies give a break in between (like ATF).

Similarly, there are very few agencies that I would like to go to. ICE is not one of them. If you get into narcotics, you are fine. If you get stuck on immigration, it is a miserable job and I have yet to meet an ICE agent in immigration who is happy.


I was originally in an immigration group, Human Trafficking/Smuggling. I enjoyed my time there. Being in an immigration group doesn't mean you just go after illegal aliens. You can investigate any crime really, as long as it has a nexus to the border/immigration system. In the group, since Human trafficking cases were few, we did a lot of domestic drug and gun cases involving gang members (who were often immigrants), identity theft, false documents and even mortgage fraud.

I've since been moved to a customs group and the work is excellent. I get to travel a lot domestically and overseas. I'm going to Hawaii soon to brief a high ranking military officer and my group's undercover cases will be taking us to places like Austrailia, Scotland, New Zealand, Canada and Vienna.

As an added bonus, we have to sign a mobility agreement but most agents will never be forced to relocate. We even have a policy in which senior agents can do a HQ tour and then come back to the office they originated from.

For those that like to live international, we have a lot of spots overseas in embassies and consulates and secure container initiative ports. I plan on applying for a few in the future. I hear that if you have the language background you have a good chance of getting it which is encouraging.

Personally, I don't ever see myself leaving ICE OI. Unless I was offered Switch's job. :)

renli3d, see my PM about verification, which is mandatory for those claiming to be LEOs. :thumbsup:

If you get stuck on immigration, it is a miserable job and I have yet to meet an ICE agent in immigration who is happy.

For the most part I have to agree. I think the big problem is in many ICE OI offices Immigration isn't seen as a good group and is treated as such. Guess it's not sexy like guns or drugs. or there is SO much Immigration work that the office dosen't have time to do any of the COOL "Customs" work.

I know the decision was made at the upper most levels but who ever decided that there should be a split in the whole Immigration world. I.E. ICE OI & ICE DRO and USBP & CBP. I can't tell you how much of my time is wasted trying to deal with ICE (both OI & DRO) and I'm sure both OI & DRO says the same about USBP.

I find this interesting, because after FLETC and ICESAT, I was told I would just be immediately sent out and stationed at an office. I don't know exactly what group I would be working with, but I didn't realize you could actually be working a drug or weapons case without actually working in step with DEA or ATF.

Honestly, because I am this close to starting out my career with ICE, is it really looked at like the pits of LE, or is it really dependent on what section you are assigned to?

I had someone tell me the other day that while some of the jobs may be considered "boring", they are also the "busiest" agency out there and are very active especially now.

Just wanted to get some feedback from you guys.
All your insights are helpful and very eye opening.

Honestly, because I am this close to starting out my career with ICE, is it really looked at like the pits of LE, or is it really dependent on what section you are assigned to?

I'm confused what you mean by this question. When you say "the pits", the context seems to be that you assumed working for ICE would entail doing the worst aspects of law enforcement. If I'm understanding that correctly, why in the blue berry hell would you apply to and accept an offer for a job you believe to be doing something you wouldn't enjoy doing? Is your sole reason for looking at ICE to get a paycheck and some training so that you can jump ship to another federal agency? :confused5:

renli3d, see my PM about verification, which is mandatory for those claiming to be LEOs. :thumbsup:

He's all set.....I just sent in the PM. My fault for being slow. We had a "hiccup" during the verification process but thansk to our other brothers on here from ICE....it is all better.

...I didn't realize you could actually be working a drug or weapons case without actually working in step with DEA or ATF.
Many agencies work many types of crimes. Each has its niche and that niche is what brings the nexus to a specific agency. Most of the big alphabet agencies work a little of everything, yet having a agency-specific focus.


Honestly, because I am this close to starting out my career with ICE, is it really looked at like the pits of LE, or is it really dependent on what section you are assigned to?
I would never call ICE the pits. It really all depends on what you like and how you work. Back when I would have entertained going to another agency, there were only a few agencies that I would have considered (Customs, ATF and DEA). Those are all based on what I like to do and what I knew about the agencies. I had coworkers go to FBI, Immigration... even some OIG that looks only at import/export trade. Whatever rocks your boat. :)


I had someone tell me the other day that while some of the jobs may be considered "boring", they are also the "busiest" agency out there and are very active especially now.
Again... the boring thing comes down to whatever you really enjoy doing... the pace of work that you like. Do you want a long, complex investigation that may span several years or do you want to boot a lot of doors. :)

I think the busiest agency comment is a bunch of crap. The stats for each agency are all lies. They all claim stats for everything that they can get away with. There are agents in every agency that are lazy POSes... we all have them. But, generally speaking, the worker bees are humping it in every agency. There is no shortage of work.

Well, anyone that is thinking of going from years on the job with DEA to ICE, I was, unfortunately advised by many ICE recruiters, that the full ICE S/A Academy would have to be completed. The only thing is that I would keep my current GS scale. Has anyone heard different?

Well, anyone that is thinking of going from years on the job with DEA to ICE, I was, unfortunately advised by many ICE recruiters, that the full ICE S/A Academy would have to be completed. The only thing is that I would keep my current GS scale. Has anyone heard different?

I had a fellow agent lateral to ICE. He will have to do the full academy with ICE. He also indicated that ICE will match his GS 13 pay though he is dropped to a GS 12.

He did it because the agency will put him in a preferred city then the one he is currently at.

I had a fellow agent lateral to ICE. He will have to do the full academy with ICE. He also indicated that ICE will match his GS 13 pay though he is dropped to a GS 12.

He did it because the agency will put him in a preferred city then the one he is currently at.

6 months at FLETC...yikes

:biggrin5:
6 months at FLETC...yikes

Yep, Its a loooong academy

6 months at FLETC...yikes

Many 1811's go to FLETC for ~6 months. I was there for CITP and agency add-on for 5 months, but that was when FLETC was putting classes through on 6-day training schedules. :ack2::crazy:

One of my friends in the FBI Academy (who used to be with DEA) told me about a DEA Trainee who was in week 17 of 20 with the DEA, got accepted to the FBI Academy, and pretty much just walked across the street to start again week 1 of 20 (at the time it was 20 weeks).

Wow... I'm sure DEA was ticked...

I just can't see why anyone would go to the FBI from DEA... unless they were a deskjockey, already accustomed to working in a morgue-like environment. :)