Customs and Border Protection jobs within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security keep Montana’s borders secure. This federal agency is responsible for securing not only Montana’s borders with Canada but also its ports of entry, as they must be protected from terrorist threats, illegal aliens and drug smugglers attempting to enter the United States.
Two sectors have been established by CBP to patrol parts of Montana. These are the Havre Sector, responsible for the eastern part of Montana to the Continental Divide; and the Spokane Sector, which covers the part of Montana west of the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains.
As reported by the CBP for fiscal year 2011, these are the crime statistics for the Havre Sector (representing the eastern part of Montana):
- Apprehensions: 270
- Marijuana seized: 1.46 pounds
Border Patrol Requirements and Job Titles in Montana
Border patrol jobs in Montana include the usual Border Patrol Agents, as well as the following careers, which stipulate specialized training requirements:
Transportation Security Officer: These professionals are stationed at airport ports of entry in Montana. They are responsible for using screening equipment to search and find dangerous and illegal goods inside baggage, cargo and on passengers. Requirements include:
- U.S. citizenship
- Be at least 18 years old
- Read, write and speak English
- Have a high school diploma/GED or one year of work experience in security, x-ray or aviation screening
- Pass a background check
- Pass a drug test
- Pass a physical exam
CBP Officer: These professionals work in ports of entry in Montana. They are law enforcement officers with full powers of presenting warrants, searching and arresting individuals. Requirements include:
- U.S. citizenship and residency
- Be under age 37
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Have three years of general or one year of specialized experience (a bachelor’s degree may be substituted for three years of general experience, and a full year of graduate education may be substituted for the one year of specialized experience)
- Pass a background check
- Pass a drug test
- Pass a physical exam
- Pass fitness tests
Border Crossings in Montana
Border crossing stations and ports of entry within Montana include:
Stations:
- Havre Station – patrols 108 miles of border with Canada
- Billings Sub-Station – responsible for 10 counties in south central Montana
- Plentywood Station – patrols 56 miles of border with Canada and land to the south of the border
- Malta Station – patrols 91 miles of border with Canada and a total of 15,400 square miles in the north central part of Montana
- Shelby Station –located in and patrols central Montana
- Scobey Station- patrols a small sparsely populated area that shares the border with Canada
- Sweetgrass Station- responsible for 59.5 miles of border with Canada and 1300 square miles within the Havre Sector
- St. Mary’s Station- patrols 7800 square miles of mountains, prairies and farm land, including Glacier National Park
Ports of Entry:
- Wild Horse
- Bozeman Yellowstone User Fee Airport
- Willow Creek
- Butte Airport
- Whitlash
- Del Bonita
- Whitetail
- Area Port Great Falls
- Turner
- Kalispell Airport
- Opheim
- Morgan
- Roosville
- Raymond
- Piegan
- Sweetgrass
- Scobey