CBP Efforts to Expand Oversight, Drive Accountability Relieve CBP Workload
Throughout Customs and Border Protection (CBP), personnel report that they typically feel understaffed. In at least one office, the agency has recognized this understaffing issue and has announced a planned fix. CBP plans to hire nearly 300 additional personnel to its internal affairs division by the end of 2023 to help reallocate workloads and expand oversight to drive greater accountability for the country’s largest law enforcement agency.
The trained personnel would be hired to investigate allegations of serious misconduct involving CBP personnel, along with reviewing use of force and critical incidents, as well as in-custody deaths. All new criminal investigators will receive advanced training in interviewing, death and sexual assault investigations, crime scene processing, and procedures for reviewing use of force incidents--including those captured by body worn cameras.
CBP has announced this initiative during a time when recruitment has been difficulties for federal law enforcement agencies. The agency’s strategy moving forward is to do everything possible to better educate applicants about the unique aspects of working for CBP. Recruitment from a diverse and dynamic talent pool will allow currently overworked teams a better allocation of resources.
However, targeted recruitment in one office will not solve the CBP’s broader staffing issues. In a recent survey, more than 70 percent of CBP personnel say that they are understaffed at regular time. The agencies have been relying on detail assignments and overtime to cover the difference, but those practices have been harmful to the health and morale of CBP personnel, who feel overworked and unable to perform their primary law enforcement duties.
The cases of increased workload over long periods of time, in combination with low morale, could lead to confusion in processes and ultimately mistakes made by federal employees and expose CBP employees to allegations of misconduct and/or wrongdoing.
Alleged incidents involving CBP agents can lead to agency and OIG investigations. If an allegation is made against you, it is a necessity, not luxury, to have knowledgeable and effective counsel advocating on your behalf. Your agency attorney is not your attorney. It is the job of the agency attorney to defend the agency – not you. As a CBP employee, you need to have counsel that has specific experience representing federal employees with your professional vulnerabilities.
FEDS Protection offers federal employee PLI policies with $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million in civil liability protection for attorney’s fees and indemnity costs in the event you are sued in your civil capacity. The FEDS policy also includes $200,000 of legal representation coverage per incident for administrative actions and $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense costs. Annual premiums for FEDS Protection PLI start at $290, and federal managers and law enforcement officers are eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50% the cost of their PLI policy through their agency. To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you and your career, visit www.fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, M-F, 8:30am-6pm to speak directly to a representative.
*This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Federal law enforcement officers can protect themselves against investigations with a FEDS Protection PLI policy. FEDS Protection offers policies with $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million in civil liability protection for attorney’s fees and indemnity costs in the event you are sued in your civil capacity for actions taken within the scope of your employment. Our policy also includes $200,000 of legal representation coverage per incident for administrative actions and $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense costs arising out of actions taken within the scope of your employment. Annual premiums for FEDS Protection PLI start at $290, which is less than it would typically cost to hire a federal employment lawyer for an hour. LEOSA coverage for off-duty incidents is also available for qualified law enforcement officers. Additionally, federal law enforcement officers are eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50% of the cost of their PLI policy through their agency.
To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you and your career, visit www.fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, M-F 8:30am-6pm to speak directly to a representative.
*This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.