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U.S. Customs
Investigating crimes, collecting evidence and arresting suspects are part of every TV police drama but for Carmen Pino, they are part of a typical workday.
Pino is a special agent with the United States Customs Service in Buffalo, NY. Based on his desire to pursue a career as a lawyer or political consultant, Pino chose to study political science at Cabrini College (http://www.cabrini.edu/).
“It’s through my internship program that I was able to participate in a year-long practicum with US Customs at the Philadelphia Office of Investigations,” explained Pino. “Cabrini allowed me to make the necessary adjustments in my schedule and structure my classes to meet the requirements for my degree while allowing me the time and resources to have hands-on training with Customs.”
“My internship was the catalyst for my choice of the US Customs Service as a career. The agents I was assigned to and the experiences I had were the determining factors in my pursuit of a federal agent position,” explained Pino. “I was exposed to search and arrest warrants, surveillance, court hearings, interrogations, and undercover operations.”
There are two members of the faculty who continue to influence Pino even today. “From the moment I arrived at Cabrini, Dr. Jolyon Girard, professor, history, and Dr. Jim Hedtke, chair, history/political science made my academic career both successful and memorable. Their styles of teaching and ‘open door’ policies not only made learning easier to comprehend but challenged me to work beyond my potential. In their classrooms, open debate was welcomed and offered me the chance to express my views on a particular subject,” reflected Pino. “This gave me the confidence in my opinions that I now need in my dealings with other agents, US Attorneys and high-ranking officials in my agency.”
“The political science department and the courses I took have a direct influence on my duties and responsibilities today,” reflected Pino. “The most influential and most referenced course that I rely on is the one focusing on the US Constitution. Every law, regulation and duty that I enforce, as well as my authority to enforce those laws, comes directly from the Constitution. I need to have a clear understanding of all of the applicable laws that I enforce to ensure that justice is served while understanding the limitations set on my authority to protect an individual’s rights.”
Prior to becoming a federal agent, Pino had to complete a 17-week basic training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. He was taught basic investigative techniques such as interviewing, collection of evidence, surveillance, arrest and apprehension of suspects, as well as proficiency in firearms. Since then, he has attended advanced training sessions, most recently a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) training program that earned him a spot on the Tucson and national SWAT teams. While most of his career highlights revolve around on-going investigations that are still classified as “top secret,” one experience that has been especially rewarding for him is participating in the SWAT program.
“Three years ago I was selected to become a member of the Tucson team. I completed an intensive two-week training program that prepared me in high-risk warrant service, advanced firearms, and weapons and tactics. I was also selected to be a member of the national team to serve as the tactical medic,” recalled Pino.
Prior to his career with US Customs, Pino was an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He used his prior training as an EMT to help develop a national tactical medic handbook, protocols and a basic training curriculum for SWAT students at the academy.
Pino’s short-range goals are to earn a Senior Special Agent status then to move into mid-management and become a group supervisor. His long-range goal is to become a Special Agent-in-Charge. In that role, he would be in charge of a geographic area and would have a number of agents, officers and support personnel under his direction. Article provided by 
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