BPApepr.doc

IMPORTANT INFORMATION RELATED TO MEDICAL EXAMINATION

PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR

BORDER PATROL AGENT POSITIONS

Attached is a copy of the Practical Exercise Performance Requirements (PEPR) for the position of Border Patrol Agent. This PEPR describes the physical tasks you will be expected to successfully perform during training and on the job. These are physical activities related to law enforcement tasks, for example, conducting searches and making arrests.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The position of Border Patrol Agent has a formal training program, and you must be able to perform the tasks listed in the PEPR to successfully complete the program. In addition, completion of the training program is required for continued employment in this position.

1) Stand for two hours.

2) Hear range commands broadcast over a public address system while wearing hearing protection.

3) Have hand and finger dexterity to safely and effectively load, unload and manipulate the handgun. If the weapon is a semi-automatic pistol, the student must have sufficient hand and wrist strength to load magazines and to manipulate the slide of the pistol during charging and clearing operations.

4) Extract handgun from a tight fitting and/or stiff holster in one (1) second or less, hold handgun with both hands, arms extended in front of the body at eye level for 45 seconds. Must have adequate hand and wrist strength to control the weapon during recoil with service ammunition.

5) Able to pull the trigger of a handgun in double action mode (approximately 14-15 pounds of pressure) 2 times in 4 seconds for a total of 54 trigger pulls in 2 minutes. Trigger is pulled using only the finger of the dominant hand while holding the weapon with either the dominant hand only or in both hands at arm’s length.

6) Pull the trigger of a handgun in double action mode (approximately 14-15 pounds of pressure) 3 times in 3 seconds for a total of 54 trigger pulls in 2 minutes. Trigger is pulled using only the trigger finger of the dominant hand while holding the weapon with either the dominant hand only or in both hands at arms length.

7) Able to pull the trigger of a handgun (which has a trigger pull of 14-15 pounds of pressure) in double action mode six times in six seconds while using the trigger finger of the non-dominant hand.

8) Kneel on one or two knee(s), with or without a barricade, holding a handgun with both hands, arms extended in front of body at eye level for up to 45 seconds. Must be able to rise unassisted, without using hands or any other objects in becoming upright and standing on one’s feet and repeat multiple times in a 2-hour period.

9) Run or jog quickly for a distance of 20 yards at intervals. Must be able to conceal his/her body behind various items of cover, e.g., vehicle, mailbox.

10) Possess sufficient night vision to distinguish between targets at 45 feet.

11) See and identify all colors – cannot be color blind.

12) Have sufficient eyesight to be able to clearly focus on the sights of the handgun held at arm’s length. Corrective lenses are allowed. Must be able to visually discriminate between friend/foe targets at a distance of 25 yards.

13) Have sufficient eyesight to be able to clearly focus on the sights of a shouldered weapon. Corrective lenses are allowed. Must be able to visually discriminate between friend/foe targets at a distance of 25 yards.

14) Have sufficient eyesight to be able to clearly focus on the sights of a shouldered weapon. Corrective lenses are allowed. Must be able to visually discriminate between friend/foe targets at distances up to 50 yards.

15) Load, unload, and manipulate a seven (7) pound shotgun safely and effectively. Must have hand and finger dexterity and adequate hand, arm, and wrist strength to control the shotgun during recoil with 12-gauge ammunition.

16) Hold a seven (7) pound shotgun firmly to shoulder and have sufficient hand strength to be able to operate the slide action properly.

17) Kneel safely on one or two knee(s) and shoulder the shotgun, rifle and/or submachine gun and rise again without using hands or any other object to assist him/her in becoming upright and standing on one’s feet and repeat multiple times n a 2-hour period.

18) Have sufficient hand and finger strength and dexterity to load and unload both the magazines and rifle or submachine gun and to manipulate the weapon safely and effectively. Must have adequate hand, arm and wrist strength to control the weapon during recoil with service ammunition.

19) Hold a 7- to 9-pound rifle or submachine gun firmly to shoulder for 20-second intervals and repeat multiple times in a 2-hour period.

20) Have sufficient strength/endurance to maintain a one-or two-knee kneeling barricade position with a shouldered weapon for up to 30 minutes.

21) Able to assume kneeling, sitting and prone firing positions, shoulder the weapon and rise up off the ground without using hands or any other object to assist him/her in becoming upright and standing on one’s feet. Must be able to repeat multiple times in a 2-hour period.

22) Participate in a physical performance test consisting of:

a. 1.5 mile run/walk

b. Maximum bench press

c. Flexibility sit and reach test

d. Agility – 30’ maze course

e. Body composition as determined by skin calipers

f. Moderate calisthenic warm-up and cool down exercise

23) Participate in physical activities consisting of, but not limited to:

a.

Running/jogging/walking short and long b.

Weight training upper and lower body c.

Moderate callisthenic warm-up and cool down exercises

24) Participate in frequent physical conditioning activities, 2 hours per session, 2 to 5 times per week, including:

a. Warm-up, cool down and stretching exercises

b. Flexibility, calisthenics, weight training, jogging/running long distances, use of stationary exercise equipment, swimming, and rowing exercises

25) Run continuously for a period of 3 minutes.

26) Walk continuously for two (2) hours.

27) Have joint structures which are completely flexible and free of any abnormalities which can withstand force/pressure during non-lethal control techniques.

28) Have sufficient strength and full range of motion of both arms and shoulders and the manipulative dexterity of the hands to properly handcuff and be handcuffed in the standing, kneeling, and prone positions; and to search and control a subject properly.

29) Use rapid and coordinated body movements to control an adversary and/or defend against physical attacks.

30) Participate fully, both offensively and defensively, in all course requirements (i.e., throws, being thrown, take downs, and restraint applications.)

31) Effectively demonstrate various strikes, kicks, and blocks utilizing 100% of one’s ability.

32) Repeatedly fall from a standing position to a rubber matted floor.

33) From a lying position, repeatedly get to an upright position quickly and deliver a variety of defensive kicks to a padded bag.

34) Control an adversary physically during takedowns and all restraint techniques.

35) Strike repeatedly a hand-held bag using feet, knees, hands and elbows for 20 seconds at a time.

36) Have the manipulative dexterity to properly utilize a collapsible baton.

37) Participate and demonstrate the proper striking, blocking, and control techniques during an officer and suspect confrontation utilizing the collapsible baton.

38) Apply a sufficient amount of pressure to compress the chest of an adult training mannequin 2 inches in depth in order to produce life-sustaining support.

39) Exhale repeatedly through the mouth to produce sufficient life-sustaining lung expansion on a training mannequin.

40) Roll an unconscious person on his/her back and then administer abdominal thrusts.

41) Be able to withstand being sprayed with Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper spray) in the face from six (6) feet.

42) Lift and move 40-pound boxes repeatedly for up to two hours at a time.

43) Lift and carry at least 50 pounds unaided.

44) Execute and/or receive a series of punches to an opponent for three, thirty-second rounds.

45) Participate in practice sessions and pass a final proficiency test on the USBP Confidence Course by negotiating a series of job-related obstacles within a required time limit. Some obstacles require:

a.

Climbing a 7-foot slanted wall using a combination of upper and lower body strength b.

Climb a combination vertical rope and ladder to a horizontal rope suspended 12’6” above the ground. Traverse the horizontal rope 20 feet and then drop to the ground.

c.

Jump a ditch measuring 6-feet wide and 12-inches deep d.

Run/walk across a 30-foot long beam without falling off e.

Jump/climb over two 4-foot high walls f.

Cross a horizontal ladder suspended 8-feet above the ground g.

Crawl through a simulated culvert h.

Climb a 20-foot vertical ladder

46) Remain on the surface of the water for 20 minutes without the use of a personal flotation device.

47) Remain on the surface of the water for 20 minutes using only personal clothing as a flotation device.

48) Climb and drop from a 7-foot tall ladder suspended over the water. (Jacob’s Ladder)

49) Drive and occupy a vehicle for periods of two hours.

50) Meet all of the following physical attributes, and possess a valid State driver’s license.

a. Full range of motion in limbs and trunk.

b. Average manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

c. Average strength for age and build.

d. Acceptable eyesight and hearing.

e. Normal vocal ability.

51) Turn head from side to side and pivot body at trunk while raising right arm to shoulder level while seated.

52) Enter and exit an automobile unassisted.

53) Quickly manipulate the steering wheel, brake and accelerate pedals of a motor vehicle at slow, moderate, and high speeds.

54) Crawl for a distance of 30 feet.

55) Verbally communicate using two-way radio.

56) Possess normal night vision not impaired by dark glasses or medication.

57) Possess full range of motion in neck, back, arms, and legs with manipulative dexterity of the hands and feet to properly perform all listed law enforcement skills.

58) Bend, kneel, stretch, and climb for a period of five (5) minutes.

59) Stand, stoop and bend unaided repeatedly during a two (2) hour period.

60) Maintain squatting and/or kneeling position for 2-3 minutes repeatedly (10-15 times) throughout each two (2) hour session.

61) Maintain a kneeling position for 15 minutes repeatedly (10-15 times) throughout each 2 hour session.

62) Enter/exit a motor vehicle quickly, handle a firearm, search a motor vehicle and an individual, and handcuff an individual.

63) Sufficient manual dexterity of hands and fingers to adequately draw a scale diagram in three hours or less.

64) Must have passed the agency-specific hearing test.

U.S. BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

BORDER PATROL AGENT

SUMMARY OF CRITICAL TASKS AND PHYSICAL/SPECIAL SKILLS

The Border Patrol Agent (BPA) position is a “frontline” border-security, weapon-carrying position. The primary function of the position is the apprehension and detention of illegal aliens and smugglers of contraband across the nation’s borders.

The Border Patrol Agent must exercise sound judgment, maintain mental alertness at all times, and function under dynamic and stressful conditions in which there are time constraints, concerns for national security, and threats of terrorism. The Border Patrol Agent must have the cognitive ability to analyze data and information quickly, to make rapid decisions, and to apply logical reasoning based on facts. He/she must be able to analyze the totality of the circumstances to make critical conclusions to support the reasonableness of actions. The Border Patrol Agent must be prepared mentally and physically to respond to unexpected situations and have the functional capacity to defend self and others from threatening situations in which the use of deadly force may be necessary.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

The standard requires that the person be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without aggravating existing health problems or endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. The individual must be free of any organic, structural or functional impairment(s) and free of any existing health problem(s) that would be aggravated in response to the work environment or that would affect the safe and efficient performance of the position’s duties.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Vision

· Distant vision acuity – must be equal to or better than 20/100 in each eye without correction, i.e., without eye glasses or contact lenses

· Corrected distance vision must be 20/20

· Monocular vision is generally disqualifying

· Peripheral vision must be normal

· Depth perception must be equal to or better than 70 seconds of arc

· Color vision – must demonstrate normal color vision, without the use of an x-chromatic lens or any other artificial device

· Refractive surgery/LASIK – free from significant untoward side effects of surgery, e.g., glare, contrast sensitivity

Hearing

· Must have hearing in both ears

· In the frequency range of 500-2000 Hz, the deficit should not exceed 30 decibels in either ear

· At 3000 Hz, the deficit should not exceed 40 decibels in either ear

· Standards must be met without the use of a hearing aid during testing

BPA Critical Skills List

PHYSICAL SKILLS LIST

SPECIAL SKILLS LIST