CBPO's At San Ysidro Port of Entry

[ExSDSO]

I wanted to know exactly why is it that MANY senior officers have told me that A) Management is horrible B) No one cares about you C) As long as traffic comes across from mexico in a timely manner, thats all that really matters D) working 16 hour shifts 2-3 a week SUCKS.

Is it suppose to get better? Im young and I am fortunate enough to have a job right now in this economy. Some of those things ive listed above I can agree with.

I consider myself a hard charger and I enjoy looking for dope, and people who do not belong in the US, but what I don't understand is why is the morale so low at Ysidro

[rusty57]

The new T.V series "Homeland Security" left that part out. From the show, makes me wish i went CBPO instead of applying as a BPA. But, i'm hoping that its hollywood and not always like that. Stay safe.

[GB0610]

Having worked there, I can tell you that for me, it was the repetative nature of it all that eventually got under my skin enough to want out.

Saying ?Que Tri? all day long was fun for a few months. Then, standing on my feet on primary or in secondary all day really go to you. After the first 5 dope loads, they all look the same.

Thats not to say its a terrible job. Its just that when you know what else is out there, job that provide more freedom and where you are allowed to make decisions on your own without so much supervisory approval first, you make your move....or at least I did.

In regards to management....I was lucky enough to have two great direct supervisors. Terrific guys! But of course, like everywhere, there are those sups who are less understanding and less helpful. Thats part of life. And with the tremendous turnover there, you really are just a face in the crowd.

Lastly, to the guy who wants to be a CBPO over a BPA..........unless you happen to get your home town and that matters to you more than anything else, than BP is the way to go. You will have a lot more freedom and will be able to get into some truly "high speed" stuff if you so choose. Just be ready to move to the middle of nowhere for a few years.

[SHU]

Having worked there, I can tell you that for me, it was the repetative nature of it all that eventually got under my skin enough to want out.

Saying ?Que Tri? all day long was fun for a few months. Then, standing on my feet on primary or in secondary all day really go to you. After the first 5 dope loads, they all look the same.

Thats not to say its a terrible job. Its just that when you know what else is out there, job that provide more freedom and where you are allowed to make decisions on your own without so much supervisory approval first, you make your move....or at least I did.

In regards to management....I was lucky enough to have two great direct supervisors. Terrific guys! But of course, like everywhere, there are those sups who are less understanding and less helpful. Thats part of life. And with the tremendous turnover there, you really are just a face in the crowd.

Lastly, to the guy who wants to be a CBPO over a BPA..........unless you happen to get your home town and that matters to you more than anything else, than BP is the way to go. You will have a lot more freedom and will be able to get into some truly "high speed" stuff if you so choose. Just be ready to move to the middle of nowhere for a few years.

Or you might get really lucky and get SDC!:D

[Don951]

A) Management is horrible
B) No one cares about you
C) Customer oriented rather than security

Sounds like DHS to me!

[SoCalFed]

The new T.V series "Homeland Security" left that part out. From the show, makes me wish i went CBPO instead of applying as a BPA. But, i'm hoping that its hollywood and not always like that. Stay safe.

Kind of like the show COPS and the countless other "REALITY" law enforcement shows such as DEA on Spike, they show what the public WANTS to see..cool stuff, not boring parts of the job. Do they want to see an officer 'minute by minute' writing a long report in response to a break in at a stop and rob where a stack of lottery tickets and cigarettes were stolen? How about a special agent writing up a 20 page search warrant affidavit? You never see that part...just the agents doing the no knock entry.

[madchiken]

Day to day operations are exciting!! They could have seen a few of us work 8 am to 4 am (no, not a typo) yesterday to put three people in federal prison, set up 6 people for removal proceedngs and reinstate a prior order of removal.

[i8547]

The new T.V series "Homeland Security" left that part out. From the show, makes me wish i went CBPO instead of applying as a BPA. But, i'm hoping that its hollywood and not always like that. Stay safe.

I hope you were joking when you hit submit.

[ExSDSO]

If you want to make more money join CBP. We make more than bp, but we're more disgruntled lol

[i8547]

How do you figure you make more money as a CBPO as compared to being a BPA?

Base pay for a CBPO assigned to a San Diego Port of Entry would start at GS-5 ($33,361) or GS-7 ($41,324) depending on experience.

Base pay for a BPA assigned to a San Diego station would start at GL-5 ($41,146), GL-7 ($46,834), or GL-9 ($52,232) depending on experience.

Also, neither Congress nor OPM consider CBPO's to be law enforcement officers since your primary function is not to enforce criminal law, whereas a BPA does have such recognition. So guess what? CBPO's are not covered under 12(d) (law enforcement) retirement, whereas BPA's are. That is a major downfall to the position in itself.

Then you factor in other pay aspects such as COPRA (CBPO) vs. AUO (BPA), night differential, Sunday pay, 45ACT, and other premium pay. A CBPO will only "catch-up" to a BPA at the GS-11 level.

So tell me, how are you making more money as a CBPO?

[SoCalFed]

Also, neither Congress nor OPM consider CBPO's to be law enforcement officers since your primary function is not to enforce criminal law, whereas a BPA does have such recognition. So guess what? CBPO's are not covered under 12(d) (law enforcement) retirement, whereas BPA's are. That is a major downfall to the position in itself.




I'm not a CBP Officer, but have friends who are. And they DO have LE retirement (as of July 2008). Federal LE retirement (6c) is not based on enforcing criminal law alone. How would all Capitol Police have it, but FPS Police do not? Yes, some of it is based upon the position (as 'detention' duties qualify - so all BoP employees get 6c). But I think everyone can agree it it is definitely political as to why some agencies have 6c while others do not, even when they perform nearly the exact same function.

[ExSDSO]

How do you figure you make more money as a CBPO as compared to being a BPA?

Base pay for a CBPO assigned to a San Diego Port of Entry would start at GS-5 ($33,361) or GS-7 ($41,324) depending on experience.

Base pay for a BPA assigned to a San Diego station would start at GL-5 ($41,146), GL-7 ($46,834), or GL-9 ($52,232) depending on experience.

Also, neither Congress nor OPM consider CBPO's to be law enforcement officers since your primary function is not to enforce criminal law, whereas a BPA does have such recognition. So guess what? CBPO's are not covered under 12(d) (law enforcement) retirement, whereas BPA's are. That is a major downfall to the position in itself.

Then you factor in other pay aspects such as COPRA (CBPO) vs. AUO (BPA), night differential, Sunday pay, 45ACT, and other premium pay. A CBPO will only "catch-up" to a BPA at the GS-11 level.

So tell me, how are you making more money as a CBPO?

Whats your guys OT payed at? If your atleast a GS7 with CBP you already make more than a BPA starting at a GL-9. You factor in the OT, Shift Diff, Sunday Pay. As far as the retirement I think we got 6c as of last July.

Then you say they're not LE or recognize as LE? The last time I told someone to "Manos atras" they complied. The last time I pointed my weapon and told them to "Pon lay en la piso ahorita" they complied. The last time I seized dope I told the driver he was under arrest. As long as the public knows that we can detain/arrest/take your freedom away...I think they know we're LE guy.

[i8547]

I'm not a CBP Officer, but have friends who are. And they DO have LE retirement (as of July 2008). Federal LE retirement (6c) is not based on enforcing criminal law alone. How would all Capitol Police have it, but FPS Police do not? Yes, some of it is based upon the position (as 'detention' duties qualify - so all BoP employees get 6c). But I think everyone can agree it it is definitely political as to why some agencies have 6c while others do not, even when they perform nearly the exact same function.

I thought the bill was shot down, but after looking into it I see that it made it through both houses after the White House rejected it earlier in 2008. So you are correct. However, it is 12(d), not 6(c). No one hired after 1984 is covered under/eligible for 6(c). 12(d) is the correct coverage, but the language is pretty much the same. Most people still inaccurately refer to it as 6(c), however.

As far as it not being based on enforcing criminal law alone, Title 5 defines Federal Law Enforcement Officer as being an individual, whose duties “are primarily the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States, or the protection of officials of the United States against threats to personal safety." Title 5 is the language used in defining the criteria for coverage under Federal LE retirement. That is why I referenced that earlier.

[i8547]

Whats your guys OT payed at? If your atleast a GS7 with CBP you already make more than a BPA starting at a GL-9. You factor in the OT, Shift Diff, Sunday Pay. As far as the retirement I think we got 6c as of last July.

Then you say they're not LE or recognize as LE? The last time I told someone to "Manos atras" they complied. The last time I pointed my weapon and told them to "Pon lay en la piso ahorita" they complied. The last time I seized dope I told the driver he was under arrest. As long as the public knows that we can detain/arrest/take your freedom away...I think they know we're LE guy.

We have two forms of OT. AUO, which everyone gets. And 45 ACT, which is traditional OT. To simplify what can be a page-long explanation, AUO is basically automatically paid to everyone at 25% of their base pay under the condition that that they work an average of 10hrs overtime per week over a certain period of time. So as a GL-9, I automatically make $65,290.00 (listed base pay of $52,232 + AUO @ 25%) before adding in my night differential, Sunday pay, Holiday pay etc. Add that in, and we're looking at another $15,000 or so give or take. I don't have my W-2 handy, so I can't tell you for sure but that should be it mas o menos as I pulled just around $80k this year. Then if I work any 45 ACT overtime, add more.

So not sure where you're basing your numbers on. As far as your GS-7 CBPO vs. GL-9 BPA comment... once again, what are you basing that off of? I provided you with the base pay above, which is directly off the OPM 2009 wages schedule. There is a $10,908 difference between a GS-7 and a GL-9. Just like CBPO's, we also receive night differential, Sunday pay, double Sunday pay, etc. We also have our automatic 25% AUO added to our base salary, in addition to the ability to work 45ACT overtime. As a GL-7, my end of year wages were $65k IIRC and that was without any 45ACT.

As far as the retirement comment, I stood corrected after I looked it up. I believe you are a new CBPO, but prior to last year, you guys did not have law enforcement retirement coverage as OPM/Congress did not recognize CBPOs at a non-supervisory level as a FLEO covered position based on Title 5 for the purposes of retirement. I was not stating that as a matter of personal opinion in an attempt to lessen your job, but rather as a statement of (dated) fact. No offense intended. But it was a long fought argument on the part of Customs for quite sometime to get that coverage for you guys. Glad you won.

[GB0610]

I thought the bill was shot down, but after looking into it I see that it made it through both houses after the White House rejected it earlier in 2008. So you are correct. However, it is 12(d), not 6(c). No one hired after 1984 is covered under/eligible for 6(c). 12(d) is the correct coverage, but the language is pretty much the same. Most people still inaccurately refer to it as 6(c), however.

As far as it not being based on enforcing criminal law alone, Title 5 defines Federal Law Enforcement Officer as being an individual, whose duties “are primarily the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States, or the protection of officials of the United States against threats to personal safety." Title 5 is the language used in defining the criteria for coverage under Federal LE retirement. That is why I referenced that earlier.

Paragraph 1) Symantics

Paragraph 2) How is it that a BOP nurse or secretary gets 6(c) or 12(d) then? Either way, CBPO do the work described in the Title 5 passage.


Lastly, I8547, the GL/GS deal you are keep hitting on makes no difference in this senario. Since CBPO's are now covered under 6c/12d, they are under the same pay scale as you. The GL is just a job classification for Law Enforcement. I'm neither a BPA or CBPO and I'm a GL. Its neither here nor there. And most importantly, once any GS series gets to a GS-11, the difference between a GS and GL is gone.

[madchiken]

Since CBPO's are now covered under 6c/12d, they are under the same pay scale as you.

Their pay wasn't changed, they are still paid on the GS scale which is less than the GL pay scale. At 11 it no longer matters. Also, technically CBPO's are not 12d, but its basically the same retirement.

And most importantly, once any GS series gets to a GS-11, the difference between a GS and GL is gone.

Exactly.

Edit to add:
As to the GL-9 BPA vs GS-7 CBPO: I made about 86K as a GL-9. For a GS-7 to make more than that, they worked A LOT of OT. And I enjoyed every minute of chasing people on foot and in vehicles..

[ford123]

Their pay wasn't changed, they are still paid on the GS scale which is less than the GL pay scale. At 11 it no longer matters. Also, technically CBPO's are not 12d, but its basically the same retirement.



Exactly.

Edit to add:
As to the GL-9 BPA vs GS-7 CBPO: I made about 86K as a GL-9. For a GS-7 to make more than that, they worked A LOT of OT. And I enjoyed every minute of chasing people on foot and in vehicles..

It is indeed 12d retirement. Look it up.

The main difference in pay between CBPO's and Agents, is COPRA.

While I believe the Agents get 25% AUO, CBPO's are covered under COPRA.

COPRA=double time for OT. Also 15%-20% night differential, as opposed to 10%.

I am a CBPO, with seven years on. I worked a minimal amount of OT, and grossed 90,000 last year.

The Border Patrol is a great job. There are some sacrifices you will have to make though. Less so for CBPO. BP might in fact be a more rewarding career if you are looking for excitement. But as far as the checkbook is involved, it is most likely a wash/slightly in CBPO's favor...Depending on where you work.

[i8547]

Paragraph 1) Symantics

Paragraph 2) How is it that a BOP nurse or secretary gets 6(c) or 12(d) then? Either way, CBPO do the work described in the Title 5 passage.


Lastly, I8547, the GL/GS deal you are keep hitting on makes no difference in this senario. Since CBPO's are now covered under 6c/12d, they are under the same pay scale as you. The GL is just a job classification for Law Enforcement. I'm neither a BPA or CBPO and I'm a GL. Its neither here nor there. And most importantly, once any GS series gets to a GS-11, the difference between a GS and GL is gone.

Regarding BOP support personnel (mainly nurses, doctors, chaplains, etc.), I may be incorrect as I am not very familiar with the organization, but I believe they probably qualify for some aspects of law enforcement retirement based on being exposed to hazardous law enforcement duties on a full-time basis. I do know for a fact though that they are exempt from the mandatory age restrictions.

Not sure where you are getting your information, but as far as CBP and OPM is concerned, entry-level and non-journeymen CBPO's are not under the same pay scale. They are GS, not GL. Look it up on the CBP site.

Once again, I was not attempting to slight the work of CBPO's, but just stating something that was fact less than one year ago re: retirement.

ford123- what many don't understand about BP and overtime is that our AUO is basically a "free for all" form of overtime. Our "true" overtime is 45ACT, not AUO. So after seven years in, I *believe* you should be a 11-5, which is $71,847 in NY. If that is indeed the case, a 11-5 BPA in NY would gross $89,808.75 with just base + AUO prior to ANY night differential, Sunday pay, holiday pay, or 45ACT overtime if worked at all. So as you can see, you being a CBPO and grossing "about 90k" comes no where close after all of your specialty pays and a minimal amount of OT.

Just to note, I'm not looking to cause a childish argument that basically amounts to one side going "I make more than you... neener neener," "No! No! No! I make more!" I was just simply trying to determine where ExSDSO was coming from with his statement of CBPO's making more than BPA's, especially his last statement of a GS-7 CBPO making more than a GL-9 BPA. As madchicken pointed out, you would be working an ungodly amount of OT for that to be the case.

[merlin436]

A CBPO working 50 hour weeks is going to make considerably more than a BP working 50 hour weeks, that's pretty much a given.

Ford is probably averaging 42-43 hour workweeks for her money, compared to a PA who works 50+ for roughly the same.

[ford123]

Yeah, I try to work very little OT as of late.

That was my point Merlin, Under AUO, at least in the BP, you work those hours no?

Anyway, of course this is no pizzing match with the brothers and sisters in Green.

COPRA is a great system. There is talk of sheet canning it though, although I have no Idea where that rumor comes from. I think something about it expires next year, and will have to be renewed by congress.

Rumors everywhere lately.

[i8547]

Yes, you do work the hours or what basically averages out to 1.8hrs per shift in order to keep your 25% added pay. So you can work a regular 8 one day and work 12 hours the next day and still be maintaining the average. It covers things like waiting for relief, driving back to the station, and performing end-of-shift duties at the very least. On the extreme end it covers last minute loads, criminal cases, etc.

But once again, what seems to go out the window with most people understanding the BP and overtime is that we have 45 ACT for "true overtime" (the equiv. to your COPRA) in addition to our "mandatory" AUO, which in many places is simply 5.5 hours per week added when you use "break the hour" math. You also have to factor in things like FLSA.

And no worries ford, I wasn't taking the topic as a pizzing match. I just was honestly wondering what the basis for the statement was as I saw none whatsoever. The reason I say that is because if you look at the pay scale for a BPA (GL-5 through GL-9) and CBPO (GS-5 through GS-9) in the same locality, a BPA makes more. This is before any added premium/overtime pay such as night diff, sunday pay, holiday pay, AUO, COPRA, 45 ACT etc. Simply base dollar for dollar. Then, as it has been pointed out, the CBPO does not catch up until they hit their 11.

[merlin436]

But once again, what seems to go out the window with most people understanding the BP and overtime is that we have 45 ACT for "true overtime" (the equiv. to your COPRA) in addition to our "mandatory" AUO, which in many places is simply 5.5 hours per week added when you use "break the hour" math. You also have to factor in things like FLSA.

AOU + 45 ACT is the equiv. to our COPRA, not just 45 ACT alone. CBPO's get paid 2x overtime for anything over 8 hours a day and anything over 40 hours a week.

The reason I say that is because if you look at the pay scale for a BPA (GL-5 through GL-9) and CBPO (GS-5 through GS-9) in the same locality, a BPA makes more. This is before any added premium/overtime pay such as night diff, sunday pay, holiday pay, AUO, COPRA, 45 ACT etc. Simply base dollar for dollar. Then, as it has been pointed out, the CBPO does not catch up until they hit their 11.

That's true, but in the real world practically no one makes just base pay. When you factor in everything and work it out hour for hour it comes out to either a virtually tie or with the CBPO nudging ahead moneywise.

Try figuring it sometime.

[madchiken]

But Merlin, we get paid to play hide and seek and catch drugs! You can have COPRA, while it lasts...

[GB0610]

But Merlin, we get paid to play hide and seek and catch drugs! You can have COPRA, while it lasts...

aohoooooo, ****ing contest time...

[i8547]

AOU + 45 ACT is the equiv. to our COPRA, not just 45 ACT alone. CBPO's get paid 2x overtime for anything over 8 hours a day and anything over 40 hours a week.

That I did not know. Makes more sense now as to how someone could come up with such logic. So how frequently do you guys work more than 80hrs per pay period?

[ford123]

Well, most officers work well over 80 hours, at least at JFK where I work. The average might be like 90-100 hours.

But the differential is great as well. Its about an extra 10,000-14,000, per year. And is based on your entire shift not just part of it. Any tour starting at noon or later get 15%. Midnights get 20%. And time and a half for Sundays,(this is great, since it is a regularly scheduled day anyway) and of course holidays as well.

And at 68.86 an hour,(for me) you can really hammer it out if you want to. I avoid it right now by working the shift with the least available overtime. A lot going on at home and such...

[merlin436]

That I did not know. Makes more sense now as to how someone could come up with such logic. So how frequently do you guys work more than 80hrs per pay period?

I work about 85 hours a pay-period on average. I've yet to meet a PA who wasn't making more than me.:)

Smaller, less 'favored' ports tend to see less OT. In fact they tend to get shorted in just about everything.

For many Officers though, capping out is not much of a problem.

[yellowreef]

What you are all forgetting is that only CBPOs get issued a tactical rubber stamp :D

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g280/reptokill/CBPacogstamp.jpg

[ford123]

What you are all forgetting is that only CBPOs get issued a tactical rubber stamp :D

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g280/reptokill/CBPacogstamp.jpg



Now that's funny!

I have one of those without the tricks though. Thank god I havent had to use it for a long time...

[GB0610]

Thats awesome!

Praise God I left before I was forced into that position...

[SDBP619]

What you are all forgetting is that only CBPOs get issued a tactical rubber stamp :D

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g280/reptokill/CBPacogstamp.jpg

wow thank you sir. i just spit my drink out laughing at that. personally i love going down to the port to do those pet team runs. the port has all the hot chicks.

[yellowreef]

the port has all the hot chicks.

That they do.