As part of an ongoing effort to make Customs more effective and responsible, the Service established and instituted a core value system emphasizing high standards and professionalism for all employees. This core value system includes five key components of Customs workforce behavior: Integrity, Accountability, Fairness, Service, and Pride.

To support this effort and to respond to a recommendation in the Recruitment, Retention and Advancement Committee Report (2000) that the U.S. Customs Service Academy "... promote high standards of professionalism" and "develop and issue a 'code of conduct' contract for students," the Office of Training and Development (OTD) has developed and implemented the Developmental Assessment and Feedback Program (DAFP). The main goal of the DAFP is to introduce all trainees to the Customs core values and to integrate them into their daily work lives.

Measure of deportment
OTD Academy training experts, OTD HQ training evaluation staff, and Office of Field Operations (OFO) supervisors created the DAFP instrument to assess students' deportment (i.e., conduct, professionalism, decorum, and demeanor) while participating in the basic training programs at the Customs Academy and during on-the-job training (OJT) in the field. The DAFP instrument is designed to identify and assess seven areas of conduct closely related to the Customs core value system.

There are seven areas of conduct known as Assessment and Feedback Areas (AFAs) (see sidebar). The AFAs were developed from a comprehensive list of past training situations (or incidents) and are designed to reflect actual behaviors that students may or may not exhibit relative to their own personal core value system during the training experience. In a nutshell, the AFAs represent benchmark examples that can be used for assessing students' deportment while participating in basic training at the Academy and during OJT in the field.

DAFP implementation
The pilot of the DAFP, which will last one year, began with students enrolled in the Inspector Basic classes commencing in April 2001. Students will be assessed three times during the basic training/OJT process: 1) at the mid-point of basic training (during the sixth week of an eleven week course); 2) at the end of basic training (during the eleventh week); and, 3) approximately 3 to 6 months into OJT at the field (port, land border, etc.) location.

Inspector Basic class coordinators, with input from other instructors (Customs Academy, FLETC, INS, Fish and Wildlife, APHIS, etc.), assess students in their assigned classes. In addition to assessing students' deportment during training, class coordinators give students feedback on their behavioral improvement areas. During this feedback process, class coordinators give students advice, behavioral strategies, and opportunities for additional training and mentoring from a number of sources, including instructors and fellow students. The goal is to help students improve and succeed in all areas of professional conduct and demeanor by giving them information on the types of behaviors and attitudes that are expected from a representative of the U.S. Customs Service in a training and work environment. Any student receiving a "needs further development" rating on one or more of the AFAs will be given the opportunity to improve his/her standing through the feedback process.

After two assessment and feedback "sessions" at the Academy, students' deportment ratings will be sent to their field-training supervisors who are responsible for their third and final rating. DAFP assessment instructions will be forwarded to port directors and training supervisors in sufficient time to perform the third assessment and feedback session on the trainee inspectors. At that point, Customs employees, under the tutelage of senior inspectors or supervisors, should have the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate the core value system into their daily work lives.

OTD is committed to a holistic approach to training that includes providing individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their jobs, and the development of a professional demeanor and value system that will guide the conduct of each and every individual during his/her tenure as a Customs employee. By implementing the DAFP during Customs basic training programs and field OJT, new employees will be given opportunities to develop and internalize the professional behaviors and attitudes associated with a Customs position.

Seven AFAs 1. Time Management The ability to use time effectively to accomplish the mission of the U.S. Customs Service. 2. Approach to Learning The ability to demonstrate a positive approach to instruction and willingness/openness to learn. 3. Maturity and Decorum The ability to maintain self-control at all times; to approach volatile situations, events, and people in a calm, professional manner; and to maintain an appropriate level of self-confidence and emotional stability. 4. Teamwork and Cooperation The willingness to work with others and to demonstrate the appreciation of collective action for mutual benefit. 5. Adaptability The ability to modify one's own behavior to address a work/training situation at hand or to meet the challenges and/or expectations of others. 6. Accountability and Integrity The ability and willingness to accept responsibility for one's own actions; to conduct oneself in such a way as to avoid or prevent any actions and/or situations that are unethical or inappropriate or would give the appearance of unethical or inappropriate behavior. 7. Follows Policies and Guidelines The ability to accept and follow formal written/oral policies and guidelines as mandated by the USCS Conditions of Employment, the FLETC student handbook, the Academy’s orientation to training, and any other Service-wide directives.