Citation

Boots DP. Policing (Oxford) 2009; 3(3): 231-244.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/police/pap021

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

As part of the new and vigorous emphasis on national security initiatives in the post-September 11, 2001 era in America, the U.S. Border Patrol is one of the agencies in the Department of Homeland Security striving to meet their strategic objectives proposed in the National Border Patrol Strategy (NBPS), published in September 2004. In an effort to better understand the key policing issues in reaching the main goal of full operational control of the border, the present study offers a critical discussion of the NBPS and the five chief objectives identified, including (1) establishing a substantial probability of apprehending terrorists and weapons as they attempt illegal entry between ports of entry; (2) deterrence through improved enforcement; (3) the ability to detect, apprehend, and deter smugglers of humans, drugs and other contraband; (4) the use of 'Smart Border' technology and (5) the reduction of crime in border communities and improvement in quality of life in these areas. The primary challenges to these goals are assessed as they relate to public policy, national security and the salient role of agency partners.

Language: en