Considering BOP

[Xarrion]

Hey guys, im sure theres bound to be a few BOP guys on this forum so i have a few questions. Im currently a city marshall (underpaid traffic warrant service) in a mid size town, the pay is a bit low ($2,400.00) but the work was exceptionally fun and enjoyable. However we just found out we are expecting a child, and fun and enjoyable have to come second to diapers and formula. A federal probation officer told me that the BOP might be a good place for me to work since we are trying to move near Austin, Tx, the PDs near the area are highly competitive and hard to get on at.

So ill start ringing out the questions. Hope its not too much

-How long does the application process typically take, and how many times am i going to have to take off work and drive 4 years to interview.

-I heard BOP officers are allowed an off duty weapon, is this true? How soon after start is it authorized? Otherwise im going to need to secure a handgun liscense for if/when im no longer a registered peace officer.

-Whats the overtime like with BOP, last time i did corrections it was mandantory 4-5 shifts a week, making life hard. I dont mind overtime at all, but no sleep and no days off got hard. (im looking at big springs tx, and bastrop tx if anyone has any firsthand knowledge)

-Can anyone tell me about the PAT, specifically the obstacle course. I run a mile and a half in about 13:00, im not in the worst of shape, but things like monkey bars are hard for me due to my large size (6'6" 270lb).

-How does the relocating work, i know at the border patrol you go to your station, they fly you to the FLETC from there and you go to school. Is it similiar in BOP? What im reading makes me think you go straight to work and they have to send you for training in the first year.

-Is there anyway to get a list of locality pay, specifically looking at bastrop and big spring if anyone happens to have it handy. I need to consider salary and cost of living

If anyone has answers to any of these i would humbley thank you for them.

[decypher]

Originally Posted by Xarrion

Hey guys, im sure theres bound to be a few BOP guys on this forum so i have a few questions. Im currently a city marshall (underpaid traffic warrant service) in a mid size town, the pay is a bit low ($2,400.00) but the work was exceptionally fun and enjoyable. However we just found out we are expecting a child, and fun and enjoyable have to come second to diapers and formula. A federal probation officer told me that the BOP might be a good place for me to work since we are trying to move near Austin, Tx, the PDs near the area are highly competitive and hard to get on at.

So ill start ringing out the questions. Hope its not too much

-How long does the application process typically take, and how many times am i going to have to take off work and drive 4 years to interview.

-I heard BOP officers are allowed an off duty weapon, is this true? How soon after start is it authorized? Otherwise im going to need to secure a handgun liscense for if/when im no longer a registered peace officer.

-Whats the overtime like with BOP, last time i did corrections it was mandantory 4-5 shifts a week, making life hard. I dont mind overtime at all, but no sleep and no days off got hard. (im looking at big springs tx, and bastrop tx if anyone has any firsthand knowledge)

-Can anyone tell me about the PAT, specifically the obstacle course. I run a mile and a half in about 13:00, im not in the worst of shape, but things like monkey bars are hard for me due to my large size (6'6" 270lb).

-How does the relocating work, i know at the border patrol you go to your station, they fly you to the FLETC from there and you go to school. Is it similiar in BOP? What im reading makes me think you go straight to work and they have to send you for training in the first year.

-Is there anyway to get a list of locality pay, specifically looking at bastrop and big spring if anyone happens to have it handy. I need to consider salary and cost of living

If anyone has answers to any of these i would humbley thank you for them.

1. Depends on if the prison you are applying to needs officers. It can take a months to a few years. Mine took 2 years from date of applying.

2. After you go to FLETC

3. Again depends on needs. My facility has cut over time with agmentation

4. It is cake, that is the last thing you need to worry about. We had a big guy. Atleast 400lbs. Don't stress.

5. You go to IF class for 2 weeks to learn about the job and the facility. Then they throw you to the wolves for a few months then they send you to glynco.

6. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (LEO) 2008 GENERAL SCHEDULE LOCALITY PAY TABLES

Hope that helps.

[Movementarian]

Originally Posted by Xarrion

-How long does the application process typically take, and how many times am i going to have to take off work and drive 4 years to interview.

It took me three months and two trips to the prison. You don't have to interview at the institution that you are applying for if there is one closer to you. You can get a courtesy interview.

Originally Posted by Xarrion

-I heard BOP officers are allowed an off duty weapon, is this true? How soon after start is it authorized? Otherwise im going to need to secure a handgun liscense for if/when im no longer a registered peace officer.

Yes it is true and you can carry once you complete training at FLETC.

Originally Posted by Xarrion

-Whats the overtime like with BOP, last time i did corrections it was mandantory 4-5 shifts a week, making life hard. I dont mind overtime at all, but no sleep and no days off got hard. (im looking at big springs tx, and bastrop tx if anyone has any firsthand knowledge)

You will work 5 eight hour shifts. Currently there is very little OT at most institutions due to budget problems.

Originally Posted by Xarrion

-Can anyone tell me about the PAT, specifically the obstacle course. I run a mile and a half in about 13:00, im not in the worst of shape, but things like monkey bars are hard for me due to my large size (6'6" 270lb).

The PT and obstacle course is not difficult. In fact it is a joke. There are no monkey bars.

Originally Posted by Xarrion

-How does the relocating work, i know at the border patrol you go to your station, they fly you to the FLETC from there and you go to school. Is it similiar in BOP? What im reading makes me think you go straight to work and they have to send you for training in the first year.

You will attend some training at your institution the first two weeks and then you will work until you attend FLETC.

Originally Posted by Xarrion

-Is there anyway to get a list of locality pay, specifically looking at bastrop and big spring if anyone happens to have it handy. I need to consider salary and cost of living.

US Office of Personnel Management

[GUNNER]

Run the other way...Fast

[SeaLom94]

Originally Posted by Xarrion

Hey guys, im sure theres bound to be a few BOP guys on this forum so i have a few questions. Im currently a city marshall (underpaid traffic warrant service) in a mid size town, the pay is a bit low ($2,400.00) but the work was exceptionally fun and enjoyable. However we just found out we are expecting a child, and fun and enjoyable have to come second to diapers and formula. A federal probation officer told me that the BOP might be a good place for me to work since we are trying to move near Austin, Tx, the PDs near the area are highly competitive and hard to get on at.

So ill start ringing out the questions. Hope its not too much

-How long does the application process typically take, and how many times am i going to have to take off work and drive 4 years to interview.

-I heard BOP officers are allowed an off duty weapon, is this true? How soon after start is it authorized? Otherwise im going to need to secure a handgun liscense for if/when im no longer a registered peace officer.

-Whats the overtime like with BOP, last time i did corrections it was mandantory 4-5 shifts a week, making life hard. I dont mind overtime at all, but no sleep and no days off got hard. (im looking at big springs tx, and bastrop tx if anyone has any firsthand knowledge)

-Can anyone tell me about the PAT, specifically the obstacle course. I run a mile and a half in about 13:00, im not in the worst of shape, but things like monkey bars are hard for me due to my large size (6'6" 270lb).

-How does the relocating work, i know at the border patrol you go to your station, they fly you to the FLETC from there and you go to school. Is it similiar in BOP? What im reading makes me think you go straight to work and they have to send you for training in the first year.

-Is there anyway to get a list of locality pay, specifically looking at bastrop and big spring if anyone happens to have it handy. I need to consider salary and cost of living

If anyone has answers to any of these i would humbley thank you for them.

I'll try and answer a few of your questions from the top of my head. I'm sure there are others that will have more detailed information.

Not sure how long the process is supposed to take but, today as I sat in on our LMR (Labor Management Relations) meeting, our Employee Services Manager said that if there is anyone intersted in Seagoville, (just outside of Dallas) to let him know. We're hiring officers.

Yes. BOP staff are allowed to carry an off duty weapon under LEOSA after you complete the class at FLETC.

The PAT. If you can finish it. You pass.

Overtime is mostly volunteer. There are times when you may be mandated to stay, but that should be rare. At this time of the year, a lot of institutions have depleted their OT budget.

You do go to work first. You'll attend an Institutional Familarization class (IF) when you first start then you will be sent to FLETC. Depending on the budget is when you'll attend FLETC.

Go to OPM.gov and type in "locality pay table" into the search block. You will see where it pulls up:" LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (LEO) 2008 GENERAL SCHEDULE LOCALITY PAY TABLES " . There you can sarch accross the country and see different pay localities.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Xarrion, don't for a minute believe that the BOP is some kind of high-speed or professional organization. It's not. Most state systems are better ran. The pay & benefits are great, but those are the only positives unless you are the type of political animal who enjoys the taste of ass.

Understand that, and you won't be disappointed.

[Xarrion]

Originally Posted by GUNNER

Run the other way...Fast

That bad?



btw thx for the info guys

[BossMan]

Avoid the BOP. Go Border Patrol, ICE, or FAMS.

[KBCraig]

Welcome to the forum.

BOP has positives and negatives. Pay and stability are positives; you said you want to be near Austin, so I assume you've got family ties or other reasons to move there, and will want to stay there.

You already know that Bastrop is the closest facility. It's also one of the most livable joints in Texas, because it's a small town, but has good access to Austin (30-40 minutes). The I-35 congestion is a bee-yatch if you want to travel north or south from Austin, though.

On the upside, once you get hired as an officer at the place you want to be, you're set. Nobody can tell you that you have to move. You won't get TDY'd to distant locations. You'll make a decent wage, currently from the high $30K to mid $50K range; more where higher locality play applies.

Three Rivers, Bastrop, Fort Worth and Texarkana are your least likely prospects in Texas, because they tend to be "homestead joints": people homestead there, and never move. If you can get hired on in Seagoville (or Houston, or Carswell), you can expect a 2-4 year wait to transfer to another institution.

Good luck with it, however you choose to go.

[Xarrion]

KBcraig do you know anything about the Big Spring Texas facility? Its not austin where i want to be, but its only a 45minute drive from here, could be a "first stop" on my way to bastrop if its less staffed and would get a quicker hire.