Agency Angst

Newly released Border Patrol suicide stats lead to more questions than answers

by Tim Vanderpool

For months, the U.S. Border Patrol refused to release details about suicides among its agents, despite an apparent spike in such deaths, as revealed in research by The Associated Press. On Oct. 22, U.S. Customs and Border Protection—the parent agency of the Border Patrol—finally provided the Tucson Weekly with suicide statistics within the CBP, although the agency did not parse out those specific to the Border Patrol.

When promoting no-cost and reduced-cost relocations, some Border Patrol officials like to claim they are necessary because of insufficient funds. However, since 1995, the Border Patrol has temporarily relocated (detailed) agents to various sectors in order to augment manpower in those sectors. The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) routinely questions the cost-effectiveness of details to other sectors, but the Border Patrol continues to choose details over permanent relocations.

As a result, the NBPC gathered travel vouchers from agents who were detailed to Tucson during the past year to calculate the estimated costs of details to other sectors. In addition, the NBPC used the estimated costs to show how many agents could be permanently relocated under the Voluntary Relocation Program if the Border Patrol stopped wasting funds on details to other sectors. 

Thanks to Terry Shigg, Local 1613 Sergeant At Arms, for taking the time to write the following article.