US Border Patrol

[Son of a Cop]

Hey guys, my first post here.

I'm seeking employment with the Border Patrol and I have a couple of questoins.

1) How hard is it to get into the Border patrol?
2) Does the Border Patrol allow personal pistols rifles to be carried?
3) Since I speak spanish, will that help me get hired?
4) What is it like working for the Border Patrol?
5) Also Miami Dade Police is hiring at this moment. Should I apply to them or continue trying to get into the Border patrol?

My father has been a cop for over twenty five years. He's told me that both the US Border Patrol and Miami Dade are great departments. Do any of you guys work for these two departments?

[cecilVA]

1) Pretty tough, they take a long time to hire people and their academy is considered by some to be the most difficult in Federal LE.
2) No, you carry a Berretta .40 and I think you can checkout M4s if available. Last I heard anyway
3) Maybe. The written test consists of either an artificial language test or a spanish test. I've heard you only take the spanish test if you really good at it since its pretty tough. Spanish is a requirement at the Academy.
4) Best place to go would be www.honorfirst.com. One stop shop for all things USBP, they have a link to a BP forum that is pretty informative.
5) Sure why not, whouldn't hurt to have multiple irons in the fire. USBP isn't known for hiring people quickly

[Kimble]

1) How hard is it to get into the Border patrol?

Depends on what you have to offer. Since I know nothing of your background, I can't expound any further yet.

2) Does the Border Patrol allow personal pistols rifles to be carried?

I'm almost certain this is an absolutely not.

3) Since I speak spanish, will that help me get hired?

Yes, because if you don't speak Spanish they will send you to training so that you can. Since you already speak the language, it will be a benefit to you.

4) What is it like working for the Border Patrol?

Can't answer that one, as I don't have direct experience with BPA

5) Also Miami Dade Police is hiring at this moment. Should I apply to them or continue trying to get into the Border patrol?

Apply with Miami Dade PD, as it's good to have a backup plan. BPA is a federal position, which can sometimes take quite a while before being brought on board. If you're able to start with Miami Dade before hearing from BPA, you'll have some additional skills and training that my prove useful when working as an agent with BP.

[cecilVA]

Oh yeah, just wanted to mention, I don't work for USBP but at one time I was really interested in them and did lots of research into the agency.

[Sleuth]

I was an investigator with U.S. Customs along the Mexican border, so I worked with BP a lot. Usually, a fine group of people. Expect to be assigned to the Mexican Border, nights, in a very remote area (Look up Eagle Pass, TX, or Ajo (Lukeville), AZ). The job can be very frustrating, as the people entering this country looking for work are some of the best and brightest of Mexico. Mixed in are the scum of the earth. One group will be all workers, the next mostly drug smugglers.

There is some real danger, as some of the smugglers shoot first. The only Federal Officer killed last year was a BP Agent, who drown while trying to rescue a woman from a river.

BP is a frequent 1st job with the Federal Government - it starts the retirement clock ticking, while preparing you for other positions with the big G. Many of my fellow Special Agents were former BP.

If you like the outdoors, BP is a great job.

[Son of a Cop]

Sorry I haven't responded in awhile.

As for background. I'm prior service US Army 11B. Cuban American, speak spanish. Been shooting all my life. ANd my old man has been a cop for over twenty five years. He's been Metro Dade and FDLE and now is semi-retired (Reserve cop). He says that Border patrol is a better option than Miami Dade police because it's a federal department. Thanks fo the advice you guys have given me.

Son of a Cop

[Son of a Cop]

Oh I love the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, and camping. Plus I loved being out in the field when I was army. So I think I would enjoy the US/Mexico Border.