Agency responds to concerns of nation's police commanders

[This article is based on a report received by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.]

US Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security. CBP combined the inspectional workforce and broad border authorities of US Customs, US Immigration, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the entire US Border Patrol.

CBP includes more than 41,000 employees to manage, control and protect the Nation’s borders, at and between the official ports of entry.  There have been concerns that terrorists will try to enter our country across our Southern Border. These reports are not new to US Customs and Border Protection, and they have been preparing for the possibility and are taking appropriate actions to better secure our borders against the terrorist threat.

US Customs and Border Protection has taken a number of steps to increase security across our borders. These actions and initiatives include a broad range of strategies and defenses that CBP deploys in its anti-terror mission. CBP’s protective measures include intensified activities in the areas of passenger processing, cargo targeting and inspection, nonintrusive technology inspections, as well as a number of initiatives to increase security along the US – Mexico Border.

CBP works with national intelligence agencies to share data on suspicious activity, and shares information with CBP personnel on the front lines. They are providing extensive antiterrorism training to uniformed personnel, including specific mention of US – Mexico Border threats. CBP has also increased coordination and intelligence sharing with Mexican contacts through the Mexican Liaison Units on the Southern Borders. CBP’s Office of Border Patrol is currently working closely with these units in response to information received and ongoing joint operations.

In conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE’s) Anti-Smuggling Units and CBP's Office of Intelligence, CBP’s Office of Border Patrol focuses its intelligence and surveillance operations on known smuggling operations that have previously trafficked aliens from significant interest countries, and develop operations to target and disrupt these especially high-interest smuggling activities.

CBP provides referrals for criminal prosecutions for aliens possessing fraudulent documents, making false statements, or committing other immigration violations, where there is a suspicion of a connection of terrorism or other national security interest. The CBP also works with the FBI and ICE to improve response and feedback to border interdictions that involve individuals that potentially pose a risk for terrorism. CBP uses two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to support the Arizona Border Control Initiative.

US Customs and Border Protection has reassigned 200 CBP Border Patrol Agents to the high-threat smuggling corridors of the Arizona – Mexico border. CBP is continuing deployments of special units including the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, Special Response Teams, and the Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Team in these areas. US Customs and Border Protection will maintain and expand coordinated, heightened security efforts under the Arizona Border Control Initiative (ABCI) to establish operational control over the weakest and most vulnerable area of our Southwest Border where more than 40 percent of illegal aliens are apprehended.

In addition, they've increased inspections of rail, truck and air cargo identified through CBP’s Automated Targeting System to ensure that all high-risk cargo is subject to further examination. In addition, CBP is increasing the number of examinations utilizing large-scale nonintrusive inspection systems.

“US Customs and Border Protection is addressing the terrorist threat 24-hours a day. We have a multilayered approach that encompasses working with our foreign counterparts, employing intelligence, technology, advanced information in the field and the most professional and dedicated law enforcement workforce worldwide,” according to Commissioner Robert Bonner in a statement to the members of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. “We are aware of the terrorist threat and are evolving hourly to face it and keep America safe.”

Sources: Department of Homeland Security, National Security Institute, National Association of Chiefs of Police

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Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country.  In addition, he represented NACOP in a study of FBI reorganization by the Government Accountng Office.  Jim writes for many police and crime magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer, Campus Law Enforcement Journal, and others.   He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc.  His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com, Booksamillion.com, and can be ordered at local bookstores.