U.S. Begins Outfitting Border Agents With Body Cameras ‘To Better Enhance Its Policing Practices’

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced on Wednesday that the federal agency had started outfitting some agents and officers with body-worn cameras “to better enhance its policing practices and reinforce trust and transparency.”

A CBP news release described the move as a “targeted deployment” and “a first step toward broader implementation.” CBP said it expects to deploy about 7,500 cameras in phases, with 6,000 in use by the end of this year.

Reuters reported, “The cameras are expected to be rolled out in parts of Texas and New Mexico during the summer and expanded in the fall and winter to Arizona, California, and Texas’ busy Rio Grande Valley, which all border Mexico, according to a recent government assessment of how the devices could impact privacy.” In addition, some agents in Vermont along the U.S.-Canada border will also wear the cameras.

“Our agents and officers serve the public and protect our borders every day with great skill and professionalism,” said Troy Miller, CBP Acting Commissioner. “Providing them with state-of-the-art technology and tools like body-worn cameras will support their work and provide greater transparency into interactions between CBP officers and agents and the public.” – READ MORE