By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Even as Border Patrol faces increased scrutiny for using excessive force along the U.S.-Mexico border, CBP concluded that body cameras aren’t needed for agents, MSNBC reports.
The yearlong internal review found that body cameras would be too costly, sink agent morale and make law enforcement more ineffective.
The review was prompted by complaints of excessive force – even deadly force – by Border Patrol agents.
The conclusions drawn in the view are “dated” and don’t “reflect the agency’s deliberations over the past months or conclusions of CBP leadership, the agency said in a statement.
More than 20,000 agents patrol the U.S. border, which would make it the largest law enforcement agency in the nation to use body cameras.
“Body-worn cameras have the potential to provide huge benefits for Customs and Border Protection and the public,” said Jacinta Ma, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the National Immigration Forum. “As the largest law enforcement agency in the country, CBP has an opportunity to step up.”
