Does Anyone Know About The VA Police?

[FPS207]

I am going to interject with a tidbit. The FPS (Federal Protective Service) I believe is also far from security guards and by far do more proactive police work more than any other Federal Police Agency. Though our numbers are depleted (thanks to GSA) we are currently trying to revive our numbers and run with the best of the Federal Police Agencies with our 700 plus officers nationwide. I would never belittle another Federal Police Agency and feel the VA police have an extremely difficult and dangerous job. However our 3 month national academy at FLETC is one of the most rigorous I have attended and I think I work for a premier "National Police Force". Security guards we definitely aren't.

[FotoTomas]

As a VA officer it bothers me that we are often looked down upon by the staff, patients and other federal LE. On the otherhand I do my job and try to not take it personal. I know that the opportunities for "real police work" are there and I have a good working relationship with the locals near my VA facility. I passed the firearms instructor school and am responsible for the firearms training in my station as well as passed a bike patrol school and keep the peace on my patrol bike. The pychos and homeless we deal with can sometimes make life interesting and the slightly slower pace makes family life pretty good as well.

As in all things it has its ups and downs. In my case the ups are pretty good.

I would love a crack at CBP BUT at 48 years of age that option is closed to me. As far as moving on...might happen might not but while I am here my jurisdiction will get real police protection by an officer that cares.

[tunlrat]

FotoThomas:
If you're referring to being a CBP 1811, unless you have prior 6c coverage, that's the only series I'm aware that you cannot still get into. I had FLETC classmates for legacy US Customs, series 1801, who were around your age if not older. Some of them (the older ones) didn't even have prior Federal status. So if you want to still be an Inspector / Canine or, I guess they're called CBP "Officers" now, I believe you still can.

Sorry, didn't mean to digress from the subject of this thread. ;)

[chewy]

Yes, were CBP Officers now (this includes INS Inspectors, Customs Inspectors, and K-9's), under 1895. Our position doesn't have an age restriction as long as you can pass the physical stuff and academy. When I went through about seven years ago I had people in my class that were mid sixties. They are getting more strict on age and fitness and talk is that in the near future they are going to impose physical standards much like the other fed jobs including 1811's. I would encourage you FotoTomas, if you really think you want to try CBP to go to the cbp.gov website and sign up for careerfinder so you can upload your resume' then just apply for CBP jobs directly from there. Good luck, feel free to PM me if you want any further info.

[FotoTomas]

I will keep that in mind. The customs communications center is in my back yard and I have a friend that works there. I considered an inspector position once but it was to be in Detroit. I have a new assistant chief that had many years in Customs inspection prior to returning to the VA. He has sort of inspired me to look into it again but alas I have a home here and a wife with her family nearby. I imagine that a CBP job would take me a long long ways away in the beginning. Something to think about though. It definatly has more career opportunities and I am not getting any younger.