The Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA) Board ispleased to announce it granted accreditation status to the U.S. Customsand Border Protection (CBP) Enforcement Officer Training Program (EOTP)and Agriculture Specialist Program (CBPAS), and the U.S. Border PatrolSpanish Instructor Training Program (SITP), at the April 7, 2011meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.
CBP Enforcement Officers manage and process criminal violationsoccurring within the U.S. Ports of Entry. CBP Agriculture Specialistsare uniformed personnel with the authority to seize prohibited orcontaminated items to protect American agriculture and the food supplyby preventing the introduction of harmful pests, plant and animaldiseases, and biological threats.
Mr. James W. Cobb, Director of the CBP Advanced Training Center(ATC) at Harpers Ferry, WV, accepted the certificate awardingaccreditation of the EOTP. He noted this is the first program presentedfor accreditation at the new ATC and they look forward to the start ofa great relationship with FLETA. Mr. Paul Eggert, Associate DeputyAdministrator, USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine Service, acceptedthe certificate awarding accreditation of the CBPAS. He thanked theBoard and assessment team, saying “On the Hill, this program is held upas how government agencies should work together”.
The U.S. Border Patrol Spanish Instructor Training Program is aprogram designed to prepare and certify prospective Spanish instructorswho will deliver the Task-Based Language Training program instructionto students at the Border Patrol Academy. FLETA Board Member Paul Bakercommented on how the program shows the rigorous selection process CBPSpanish instructors go through.
To achieve accreditation, an agency must undergo a voluntarythorough assessment of their academy and/or program to ensurecompliance with the FLETA standards. These professional standardswere developed to increase agency effectiveness and efficiency. The standards address Program Administration, Training Staff, TrainingDevelopment, and Training Delivery, with an additional 20 standardsspecifically for Academies. To maintain accredited status,agencies are required to submit annual reports to the FLETA Board andparticipate in a reaccreditation process every three years.
The FLETA Board is nationally recognized by federal law enforcementagencies, as well as stakeholders in law enforcement training. Itis the Board’s goal to improve the federal law enforcement communitywith each accreditation, and the Board has now awarded 48 programaccreditations and 13 academy accreditations.
If you would like more information regarding the FLETA process,please visit the website at www.FLETA.gov or contact FLETA at 912-261-3684.