Border Patrol AgentPower

The U.S. Border Patrol is not happy when its agents abuse the power they have been granted in order to perform their duties. In fact, agents are required to take sensitivity training, extensively study criminal law and follow all rules listed by the Border Patrol. In other words, wielding power against people will get you written up or cost you the job. Aha… the wielder has become the wieldee.

However, there have been numerous corruption charges against border patrol agents. Between 2003 and 2011, 134 agents have been charged with corruption of power. Some of these cases have involved a border patrol agent smuggling drugs across the boarder in his patrol car and another agent giving drug smugglers the locations of 100 underground sensors.

In addition, there have been over 20,000 complaints and violations against the border patrol in the last six years. Over half of those complaints resulted in reprimands and 700 people getting fired.

To prevent border patrol agents from abusing their power, Congress passed the Anti-Border Corruption Act. This Act requires that agents undergo a lie-detector test every five years. Also, border patrol agents are still subjected to background checks during the time of their employment.

Power can be abused when not properly handled or respected. Border patrol agents have the power to cut down on shady criminal acts, coyotes abusing crossers and terrorism.