GovernmentExecutive.com

The Border Patrol is aiming to attract more women and minorities as it strengthens its presence at the border with the addition of more than 6,000 agents.

"Over the next two years, we'd like to see the numbers of women and African-American, Asian-American and Native American Border Patrol agents increase significantly," said Franklin C. Jones, special assistant for equal employment opportunity at the Customs and Border Protection bureau, in a statement.

CBP, which houses the Border Patrol, is focusing on these minority groups because there are already large numbers of Hispanics within the agency. About 2.5 percent of agents are African-American, Asian-American or Native American, according to CBP.

Women are particularly underrepresented in relation to the general population, with females making up only 5.4 percent of agents. The percentage of female Border Patrol agents is lower even than that of women at other federal law enforcement agencies. For example, 18.5 percent of FBI agents, 13.3 percent of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents, and 10.5 percent of Secret Service agents are women.

But while total numbers of women in the Border Patrol are low, 19.8 percent of those in CBP officer positions are women.

Jones said while women and minorities may be hesitant to apply, those who do can set an example for others, helping to increase diversity. "It's not necessarily the easiest thing in the world to be the only woman or black person in your academy class, but it's worth it," he said. "You are doing something good for the country, and you are paving the way for others who want to follow in your path."

There are several requirements for applying to the Border Patrol. Only U.S. citizens under the age of 40 with valid driver's licenses will be considered. Applicants must meet physical fitness standards and pass a drug-screening test, a background check and a written exam.

"When it comes to women, the prospective candidate needs to believe that she can do anything a man can do, because the physical fitness requirements in the Border Patrol are the same for women as for men," Jones said.

CBP is employing a variety of tools to meet its goal of hiring 6,000 additional Border Patrol agents by 2008. The agency has increased the age limit from 37 to 40, fanned out at job fairs across the country and run television advertisements. It also is offering a $1,500 bonus to employees who refer successful Border Patrol applicants. The Border Patrol has even sponsored a NASCAR vehicle.

In a statement, CBP said the auto racing sponsorship was designed to "increase [the agency's] household name recognition across Middle America, which will in turn encourage prospective candidates to apply for entry-level positions."

CBP has not addressed how it will tailor these efforts to target women and minorities, and did not return calls for comment.

COMMENTS

• As a female agent myself, I encourage females to challege themselves to better themselves by applying for these positions available in law enforcement. Ignorance will always be out there regarding what and what not a women is capable of doing. I know what I can do and so do my co-workers. Respect from your co-workers is what matter, when you do have it you will be referred as an agent, not a female agent. And as to the ignorant responses to only hiring certain race ethics, don't read and interpet too much into it. Border Patrol encourages all to apply, but unfornately not all races apply, so border patrol reachs out in different ways to all groups. If you don't apply you have no say. If you did not get in, it's not because of your color, it just means you need to study the study guide a little bit more, just like those of us that did pass. And as too lowering the test standards, well Border Patrol is clear "we want qualified people!" all else need not apply. Lala Posted November 20, 2008 8:38 PM
• Firt off the written exam is bogus no wonder you cant get agents. I was in the military for 12 years yes there should be testing but that test naww rethink the test and more people will be eligable Harold Helton Posted June 15, 2008 3:54 AM
• Man, you guys are harsh on women and minorities, i'm a blk college student yea you might have minorities of hispanic descent but there are not that many blk and other groups of minorities. smart guy Byron Posted September 19, 2007 9:22 PM