Look Who it Was Random video

Non-lethal force award criticized by Border Patrol

250 views · Published 31 May 2016 · 1:23 · Indexed 23 September 2026

Channel: The National Desk · 2016 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency is considering awarding agents who can apprehend an armed suspect at the border without the use of deadly force.

Circa has learned that the “Use of Deadly Force Encounter Averted” recognizes agents who stop armed border crossers by either talking to them or by using tactical hand movements to restrain them.

Representatives of the National Border Patrol Council Union weren’t aware of the award until they were notified Friday by Circa but were outraged by the move, saying it sets a dangerous precedence.

“I thought it was a joke when you notified me,” said agent and union representative Chris Cabrera in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley sector.
 
Circa obtained a screenshot of the award --implemented in May by Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)-- after supervisors nationwide were notified in a May 23 memorandum.

The memorandum states the award will “recognize an employee who demonstrated clear situational awareness and courage while disarming a suspect using contact controls and verbal commands before the situation escalated to the use of deadly force.”

The memo says the “act must demonstrate courage in the face of an armed suspect and result in no injury in accordance with agencies use of force policy.”  

“This goes to show you that the people making decisions in D.C. have absolutely no idea what it’s like to work along the border,” Cabrera said. “The commissioner or whoever came up with and approved this silly idea should step down. If they think that this is a viable option for any agent, then they are no good to any law enforcement organization.”

More from this channel