CBPO, just got this letter......

[Lawson]

Just got this from CBP. Anyone know how this will effect testing? Will the upcoming testing process be different? Is this the LE retirement everyone has been wanting?

Dear Customs and Border Protection Officer Applicant:



Our records indicate that you have an active record on the Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) applicant inventory for the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).



Why are we sending you this letter? Changes have been made to the CBP Officer position. In accordance with Public Law 110-161, the CBP Officer position will be covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection for this position before reaching their 37th birthday. This age restriction may not apply if you are serving or have served in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d). Consequently, the current GS-5/7 inventory will be terminated effective June 30th, 2008. Therefore, if you are interested in being considered for future positions as a CBP Officer, you will be required to re-register during the upcoming open period.



Please note, we have added new geographic codes, redefined duty locations that are included in those codes, and deleted some codes. The following locations are now listed as individual codes: Presidio, Texas; Columbus, New Mexico; Key West, Florida; St. Croix, Virgin Islands; and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.



Additionally, with this new announcement, if your test score is more than one year old, you will be asked during registration if you would like to retake the written test or if you would like to use your previous test score. If you choose to retest, the most recent test score will be used. (If you choose to retest and fail the written test, you will be ineligible to be considered for a CBP Officer position. If you choose to retest and receive a lower score, the lower score will be used. Conversely, if you decide to retest and receive a higher score, that score will be used.)



What do I need to do to establish eligibility on the new register? If you wish to be considered for CBP Officer positions at grades GS-5 and GS-7, you will need to re-register on-line June 30th through July 21st, 2008 at https://cbpmhc.hr-services.org/cbpo. The CBP Officer announcement may be found on the internet at www.usajobs.opm.gov beginning June 30, 2008.



What happens if I do not re-register during the open period of June 30, 2008 through July 21st, 2008? Your eligibility will expire on June 30, 2008. Only those candidates who re-register will be considered for future CBP Officer positions. Thank you for your continued interest in a position with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.







CBP – Minneapolis Hiring Center

Recruitment and Examinations

[Kimble]

Is this the LE retirement everyone has been wanting?

According to this...

This age restriction may not apply if you are serving or have served in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

... yes, it is.

[Sierra]

I wonder how many we will lose jumping ship to become stamp monkeys for the 11.

[rix031]

unfortunately, the coverage is NOT 12(d). it IS on par with leo coverage, but it is NOT leo coverage. cbpo's will not be able to bring their coverage with them if they want to accept another leo position. most people do not realize this, but it true. of course, it is still much better than the current coverage!

[chewy]

I wonder how many we will lose jumping ship to become stamp monkeys for the 11.

HEY... be nice, our stamps CANNOT be operated by monkeys! You need to understand the calander system in order to change the date every day!!!

We've had Journeyman 11 for years.... it's the 20 LEO retirement that'll get them coming here. After all, what other LE job pays so much for you to sit on your arse for 8 hours a day and be encouraged to NOT do your job and instead just push traffic and be polite so you don't upset anyone?

[TXICE]

I know some current IEA's that will be going back to CBPO. They are saying its a no brainer, keep their coverage and go one pay grade higher then their current 9's. I still think the IEA job is better in the long run.

[1depd]

unfortunately, the coverage is NOT 12(d). it IS on par with leo coverage, but it is NOT leo coverage. cbpo's will not be able to bring their coverage with them if they want to accept another leo position. most people do not realize this, but it true. of course, it is still much better than the current coverage!

As I understand the, law all it did was add CBPO's to the list of people covered by 12(d) retirement. That makes it the exact same as the 1811's covered by the same provision. The only difference is 1811's are at the beginning of the list and CBPO's are at the end.

Here is the opinion of the union:
"If you are hired as a Border Patrol Agent or into another law enforcement position, your CBPO coverage stops and you are no longer covered by the CBPO provision. However, you may combine both the CBPO service on or after July 6, 2008, and your law enforcement service to qualify for special category retirement at age 50 with 20 years of special category service or (under FERS only) at any age with 25 years of special category service.
Other service that may be combined toward special category retirement includes service as a firefighter or nuclear materials courier, and, under FERS only, as a member of the Capitol Police or Supreme Court Police."

[chewy]

I know for my Port we have about 13 that are coming back from various other agencies due to the LEO retirement. Some have tried but can't come back due to the fact that they burned thier bridges when they left but we have a lot wanting to come back. Mostly people are excited about it. They'll be able to do some time as a CBPO and then be able to transfer to other LE jobs if they want after 37 so that's good.

[rix031]

HEY... be nice, our stamps CANNOT be operated by monkeys! You need to understand the calander system in order to change the date every day!!!

We've had Journeyman 11 for years.... it's the 20 LEO retirement that'll get them coming here. After all, what other LE job pays so much for you to sit on your arse for 8 hours a day and be encouraged to NOT do your job and instead just push traffic and be polite so you don't upset anyone?

and dont forget the comment card!!! LOL!!

[rix031]

As I understand the, law all it did was add CBPO's to the list of people covered by 12(d) retirement. That makes it the exact same as the 1811's covered by the same provision. The only difference is 1811's are at the beginning of the list and CBPO's are at the end.

Here is the opinion of the union:
"If you are hired as a Border Patrol Agent or into another law enforcement position, your CBPO coverage stops and you are no longer covered by the CBPO provision. However, you may combine both the CBPO service on or after July 6, 2008, and your law enforcement service to qualify for special category retirement at age 50 with 20 years of special category service or (under FERS only) at any age with 25 years of special category service.
Other service that may be combined toward special category retirement includes service as a firefighter or nuclear materials courier, and, under FERS only, as a member of the Capitol Police or Supreme Court Police."

incorrect. here is a statement from our gs-14 mission specialist in charge of retirement issues:

"The enhanced retirement system for CBP Officers is not considered 6c/12d, or law enforcement coverage. It is, however, on par with the law enforcement coverage of 6c/12d for retirement purposes."

if the i.e.a.'s begin jumping ship for our coverage, they can bring their coverage time with them, however, if they want to jump again to another fleo, the cbp time will NOT go with them.

[rix031]

I know for my Port we have about 13 that are coming back from various other agencies due to the LEO retirement. Some have tried but can't come back due to the fact that they burned thier bridges when they left but we have a lot wanting to come back. Mostly people are excited about it. They'll be able to do some time as a CBPO and then be able to transfer to other LE jobs if they want after 37 so that's good.

read my previous post. these guys are in for a rude awakening when the try to go to another agency from cbp.

[chewy]

read my previous post. these guys are in for a rude awakening when the try to go to another agency from cbp.

I've read your other post... I just don't agree with you.

[rix031]

I've read your other post... I just don't agree with you.

well, your not the first to disagree. i find it difficult to believe the lady (gs-14) that came around to our ports and gave us an hour long seminar about the new coverage doesnt know what she is talking about. i specifically had her put it in writing in an email to prove to others that it is not statutory 12(d) coverage. yes, it is basically the same, but it is NOT transferrable, unless another agency will accept it and is stated as such in their application process. marine interdiction side of the cbp house IS going to accept it, but it is within the same agency.

at any rate, im heading to ice in a few weeks so i really dont care.

[Merlin]

My understanding is that the only thing 'special' about CBPO retirement is that current CBPO's face no mandatory retirement age.
If a current CBPO leaves for another coverage position, he loses that benefit and forces mandatory retirement on himself. If he returns as a CBPO at some point, he's still subject to forced retirement. Anyone coming in from another covered position will still be subject to the '57 get out' rule.

[bhov97]

wow reading all this info has really made me think...

I have two tentative offers of employment on the table.
one being a Transit Police Officer for Boston/MA,
and the other being a CBPO.

I have already turned in my information for background investigation for the Transit Police and I currently just sent out my information packet to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol HR Division.

Based on what you guys know if I do happen to get so lucky and pass both pre-employment screenings which would be the smarter choice in your most HONEST opinion?

Thanks guys i really appreciate it.

-B