Imagine a situation at your local port where an individual presents him or herself for entry. During the interview process, you trigger a nerve and they become increasingly agitated and lunge at you trying to do bodily harm – they may even have a weapon. This situation could happen at the primary booth, in secondary or in a confined area such as an office space or examination room. Would you know what to do? How would you handle the situation?

It’s scenarios like the one above and other endless possibilities that have been the nexus for increased physical standards and extensive intermediate use-of-force force training for CBP Officers both during basic training and continued throughout their career in the field.

Photo Credit: CBP Field Operations Academy

Newly hired CBP Officers receive a blast of O.C. Spray and must successfully work through the effects of the spray to graduate from the basic CBP Officer Basic program.

Back to basics During the 16-week basic CBP Officer course, the CBP Field Operations Academy provides newly hired officers with 102 hours of physical techniques training. The 102 hours of training incorporates: 32 hours of physical conditioning; 4 hours for the physical efficiency battery with increased standards for the 1.5 mile run in 16 minutes and 30 seconds or less; 18 hours teaching open-hand defensive tactics; 16 hours of arrest techniques; 18 hours of intensive training with intermediate use-of-force tools such as the baton and Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) spray; and, 14 hours focused on first aid and responder situations.

During the 16-week basic CBP Officer course, the CBP Field Operations Academy provides newly hired officers with 102 hours of physical techniques training. The 102 hours of training incorporates: 32 hours of physical conditioning; 4 hours for the physical efficiency battery with increased standards for the 1.5 mile run in 16 minutes and 30 seconds or less; 18 hours teaching open-hand defensive tactics; 16 hours of arrest techniques; 18 hours of intensive training with intermediate use-of-force tools such as the baton and Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) spray; and, 14 hours focused on first aid and responder situations.

The most notable addition to the CBP Officer basic training program is the accretion in hours and intensity of intermediate use-of-force training. Intermediate use-of-force encompasses basic officer presence and good verbal commands all the way up to defensive tactics using a baton or O.C. spray. Basic students now receive 8 hours of baton training and 10 hours of O.C. training. Mike Brown, Acting Assistant Director for the CBP Field Operations Academy Physical Techniques and Firearms Division explains that students must successfully complete a three-part evaluation with both the baton and O.C. to graduate basic training. The evaluation incorporates a written exam for both baton and O.C., a proficiency or skills test for both and completion of a use-of-force scenario which includes an exposure to O.C. spray and then having to successfully work through the effects of the spray. “Once they leave the Field Operations Academy they have the total package. They leave with the tools and knowledge and then it’s up to them to continue improving their skills through experience and on-going training with Intermediate Force Instructors in the field,” Brown stated.

Maintaining muscle memory

CBP Officers will continue use-of-force training once they return to port. Defensive tactics are now part of a trimester training regime led by Intermediate Force Instructors (IFIs) trained at the CBP Advanced Training Center in Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Field training includes, but is not limited to: continued defensive tactics and arrest techniques training; port or location specific tactical training; and, yearly recertification in the use of the baton and O.C. spray. Many of the IFIs will spend 3 additional weeks at the CBP Field Operations Academy observing basic training and assisting with the delivery of baton and O.C. “What we’re trying to do is bridge the gap between the Academies and the training that is being delivered in the field,” explained Wes Windle, Assistant Director for the CBP Advanced Training Center. “The CBP Field Operations Academy and Advanced Training Center is working together to deliver a unified and comprehensive training program out to our officers from the beginning of their training throughout their careers.”

Changing the culture

The CBP Field Operations Academy has begun incorporating defensive tactics, arrest techniques, baton and O.C. training into advanced training programs delivered in Glynco, Georgia and locations nationwide. “We’re moving towards a culture or belief system within CBP that fitness is not solely for personal gain. We have a responsibility to each other to provide back-up and assistance and to do our jobs effectively,” Mike Brown concluded.

Officers who attend Basic Admissibility Secondary Processing (BASP), Passenger Inspection and Vehicle Interdiction Training (PIVIT), Land Border Outbound Training (LBOBT), Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (AT-CET), Mobile Response Team (MRT), the Enforcement Officer program and other advanced training programs must participate in use-of-force training. To find out more about use-of-force training in your local area, contact your local Intermediate Force Instructor or field training officer. If you’re requesting training provided by the CBP Field Operations Academy, review the course outline to ensure that you are capable of fulfilling any physical requirement for a particular course.