Letter to the Editor:
I support the changes that need to be made, as suggested by Democrats, before ICE funding is approved. However, I find the absence of any reference to screening and training requirements troubling. Much of what has happened has more to do with the limited amount of training that these officers receive.
Prior to January 2025, the Enforcement and Removal Operations officers (ERO) had a training program just short of 8 weeks. Most of the training focused on locating, arresting, and removing illegal immigrants who have violated the law. Customs Border Patrol (CBP) candidates had a 90-day (12 week) academy experience. These officers received training in firearms, driving skills, defensive tactics, and use of force. The training also included some de-escalation techniques. There was heavy emphasis on immigration law, the Constitution, and criminal investigations. Officers were required to take a basic Spanish course or test out of the offering.
As of January 2025, the training for the new recruits has been substantially reduced to 47 hours due to the hiring surge needed to carry out Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. This reduction of hours for ERO officers from 320 to 47 creates an important question regarding officer readiness and public safety, especially in high stakes situations.
For all municipal police departments, the average duration of training for officers ranges from 4 to 5 months, with an average of 672 hours. State Police Officer Standards and Training Boards (POST) require anywhere from 12 to 24 weeks. After graduation from the POST academy, most officers complete months of supervised training by a field training officer. ERO officer training at 320 hours, which included instruction on Spanish, was far below the municipal average of 672 hours. CBP training was 480 hours at the low end of the municipal training spectrum. Given the new 47-hour standard for ERO officers, is it any wonder that ICE officers are not performing well?
Training needs to be increased to at least the municipal average if ICE is going to continue to interact with the public. I do not make these statements lightly. I am a retired law enforcement professional with over 30 years of experience as an officer, trainer of police officers, evaluator of academy experiences, and developer of curricula.
Robert James Fischer, Ph.D. Retired Director, Illinois Law Enforcement Executive Institute Macomb, Illinois
