CBP Use of Force Case Summaries
CBP continues to implement significant policy, procedural and programmatic initiatives that ensure the safety of CBP personnel while striving to earn the public trust. To that end, CBP established U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Use of Force Review Board (NUFRB) in December 2014 as part of the many initiatives adopted by CBP to increase accountability and transparency.
The NUFRB is a committee of senior leaders from CBP, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assigned to review use of force incidents resulting in serious physical injury or death, or any incident involving the discharge of a firearm in a non-training setting. The board reviews cases that have completed the investigative process and have been declined for prosecution by either a U.S. Attorney, state or local prosecutor.
The board considers the following:
Whether use of force is within policy;
Whether there is possible misconduct associated with the application of force; and
Whether lessons can be learned from the incident in terms of techniques, tactics, policy, training and equipment.
Following senior agency leadership concurrence or non-concurrence with the NUFRB’s conclusions, the Commissioner makes the final determination regarding whether the use of force was within policy.
Below are summaries of use of force cases that have completed CBP’s internal review process as well as the conclusions of the NUFRB’s review of those cases.
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On Feb. 4, 2016, three Border Patrol Agents from the El Paso Border Patrol Station were conducting bike patrol duties in downtown El Paso, Texas. While working near a commercial bus station, the....
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On Feb. 3, 2016, a Supervisory Border Patrol Agent in Calexico, California was waiting for a tow truck to arrive to seize an abandoned vehicle belonging to a known local smuggler. Earlier that morning....
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On Jan. 25, 2016, a Border Patrol agent was dispatched to assist in the apprehension of two subjects that fled from a drug smuggling vehicle near Rodeo, New Mexico, earlier that day. The suspects fled....
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On Dec. 17, 2015, a driver waiting in the primary vehicle inspection lanes at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge Port of Entry in Laredo, Texas, suddenly accelerated his pickup truck towards the....
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On Nov. 15, 2015, Border Patrol agents from the Boulevard Border Patrol Station were conducting an operation at Carries Mountain, California, targeting a known alien smuggler wanted on a federal....
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On Oct. 20, 2015 at 2357 hours (11:57 p.m. PST), a CBP officer (CBPO) assigned to the Calexico, CA Port of Entry was about to open a vehicle inspection lane. The iron gate at the entrance to the....
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On Oct. 19, 2015, a United States Border Patrol Agent (BPA) assigned to the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station in Naco, AZ was involved in a shooting incident. A male subject was attempting to climb....
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On the evening of September 23, 2015, Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) assisted Michigan State Police (MSP) Troopers in searching for the subject of a missing person/suicidal person alert on Drummond....
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On Aug. 4, 2015, two Border Patrol Agents from the San Clemente Border Patrol Station responded to a call for assistance from an Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department deputy. The deputy had....
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On June 26, 2015, Border Patrol Agents from the CBP Special Operations Group Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) team were assisting other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in....
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