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The Sign Cutter
The Sign Cutter
The Sign Cutter
FIRST EDITION-2015-02001
Change Is Here!
Welcome to the first edition of the Local
1613 Newsletter. My name is Terry Shigg
and I am your newly elected President. I
have been a union member since 1992 and
a union steward since 1994. Back then we
didnt have formal training. I became a
union representative (rep) because I
wanted to help people and protect the
rights of members.
We dont expect
you to agree with
everything we
do, but several
things I promise
you.
NBPC 1613.ORG
Table of Contents:
P. 1 Change Is Here!
P. 2 San Diego Sector
Featured Photos
P. 3 Stating The Obvious
P. 3 E-Board Contact List
P. 4 Meetings & Training
P. 5 Committees
P. 6 Dealing With PSTD &
Visit With The Chief
P. 7 Know Your Rights
Legislative & Political
Action, Rumor Mill
P. 8 Watch The Old Timers
P. 10 Choir Practice
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FIRST EDITION-2015-02001
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FIRST EDITION-2015-02001
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BY GABE PACHECO
Stating
The
Obvious
Customs Border
Protection (CBP),
within Department of
Homeland Security (DHS), is
Executive action on
responsible for securing U.S.
borders and facilitating legal travel and
amnesty and
trade. CBP officers
shrinking
(CBPOs), within the Office of Field
enforcement budgets
Operations (OFO), are
responsible for securing the border at
adds pressure to a
U.S. ports of entry, locations at which
volatile mix of
individuals and merchandise may seek
enforcement priorities legal entry into the United States.
and organized crime
Border Patrol (BP) agents, within the
Office of Border Patrol (OBP), are
operating on or near
responsible for securing the national
the border.
border between the ports of entry. The
Office of Training and Development
(OTD) designs, develops, and delivers
CBP- wide training courses and establishes training standards and policies
for use by BP agents and CBP officers.
CBP Use of Force Policy, Guidelines and Procedures Handbook, Office of
Training and Development, HB 4500-01c, May 2014, which is in
negotiations with the union, is the current policy which governs BP agents
and CBP Officers authorized use of force. On page (i) in the foreword from
the Commissioner - A respect for human life and the communities we serve
shall guide all employees in the performance of their duties. Authorized
Officers and Agents should employ enforcement tactics and techniques that
effectively bring an incident under control, while minimizing the risk for
injury or property damage. The use of excessive force by CBP law
enforcement personnel is strictly prohibited. R. Gil Kerlikowske
Commissioner U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
PRESIDENT
TERRY SHIGG
TSHIGG@NBPC1613.ORG
TWITTER: @NBPC1613
SECRETARY
VICTOR CANTU
VCANTU@NBPC1613.ORG
TREASURER
ROBERT CORTEZ
RCORTEZ@NBPC1613.ORG
SERGEANT OF ARMS
MANNY BAYON
MBAYON@NBPC1613.ORG
MEDIA RELATIONS
GABE PACHECO
GPACHECO@NBPC1613.ORG
TWITTER: @GABEP21
HEALTHY & SAFETY
RONALD ZERMENO
RZERMENO@NBPC1613.ORG
Border Patrol agents operate according to the these principals every day. It is
one of those known facts that is so obvious that it needs to be stated from
time to time that we have heroes working among us who daily risk their lives
on behalf of our nation.
Another obvious fact that needs to be stated is the type of people whom we
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FIRST EDITION-2015-02001
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come in contact with. Some of them do not play by the same rules.
There are many things that motivate people to harm others. They
do not respect human life or their communities, there is nothing
guiding their behavior except the need for getting their next
load through, their next fix, and so on.
We are no different from any other law enforcement agency
in the nation. Our priorities happen to be on the border,
focusing on catching criminals and contraband trying to
enter our country illegally, and the tearing down of
transnational criminal organizations that are facilitating
this criminal behavior. The stakes are high in combating a
multi-billion dollar organized industry operating on both sides of the
international border. Executive action on amnesty and shrinking
enforcement budgets adds pressure to a volatile mix of enforcement priorities and
organized crime operating on or near the border.
We have learned to rely on each other for backup and on our training to combat the sometimes aggressive and
violent behavior by these criminals. The obvious has to be stated again. We have been authorized and trained
to use the necessary force needed to carry out our enforcement duties which includes seizing a persons life.
Seizing a persons life is the last option depending on the dynamics of the situation and officer/agents
perception while responding to the criminals behavior.
The obvious conclusion, agents are trained and authorized to operate within CBP policy to respond
appropriately to a criminals aggressive and violent behavior. Using those enforcement tactics and techniques
that effectively bring an incident under control, while minimizing the risk for injury or property damage, is
the ideal scenario. However, it sometimes cannot be achieved because of the violent behavior of the criminal.
We agents must operate within and understand the policy which governs our behavior while on and off-duty,
it should not take anything away from us defending ourselves.
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There are a few bills out there to keep your eyes on:
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act,
2015
This bill passed in the House on January 14, 2015, and
goes to the Senate next for consideration. (Placed on
Calendar in the Senate.) FYI DHS current funding will end
on February 27, 2015.
H.R. 399: Secure Our Borders First Act of 2015
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to gain and
maintain operational control of the international borders of
the United States, and for other purposes.
This bill is scheduled for the following committee
meetings: January 26, 2015, at 5 p.m. House
Committee on Rules
H.R. 43: Border Security, Cooperation, and Act Now
Drug War Prevention Act of 2015
To provide for emergency deployments of United
States Border Patrol agents and to increase the
number of DEA and ATF agents along the
international border of the United States to
increase resources to identify and eliminate
illicit sources of firearms into Mexico for
use by violent drug trafficking
organizations and for other lawful
activities, and for other purposes.
Referred to Committee on Jan 6, 2015
Christopher J. Harris via email at:
cookincop@aol.com
NBCP1613.ORG
Any questions or
c o m m e n t s
IM
contact us at:
B
1-800-620-1613
on
the
web:
NBPC1613.org
on Twitter: @NBPC1613
on Facebook: NBPC 1613
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FIRST EDITION-2015-02001
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(Policeone.com).
Why agencies need a
buddy care model for-rapid PTSI
response?
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FIRST EDITION-2015-02001
We (Local 1613) realize that in this day and age, our membership
(and their families) are directly impacted by legislators, politicians,
they can, and do, set the tone in which we live and work.
We also realize that this tone is at every level local, state, and
national.
In the past, we have been, and rightly so, critical of the leadership
and management, at all levels (DHS, CBP, USBP), in their inability
and lack of desire to really interact and communicate with the
legislative and political leadership that effect the USBP and its
employees. This failure to explain, document, or discuss our
problems, issues, and concerns, at even a basic level, has caused us
to be misunderstood, misused, and even just ignored. This head in
the sand or ostrich like approach has poorly served our agency,
its employees, and our membership.
Because we understand that we cannot force DHS, CBP, or USBP
management to do this, we have decided to become involved
ourselves at every level.
NBPC 1613.ORG
Our goals are to have better communications and relations with the
legislative and political leaders (and their staffs) in the area that
represents Local 1613.
This will enable us to bring our concerns, ideas, and issues directly to
those individuals, whose actions and legislation directly impact us.
This will allow us to help influence and guide their decisions and
legislation, and have input as it is being formed and written.
We also want these political and legislative leaders, their staffs, and the
groups that support them, to become better acquainted with us as a
union, and more importantly, our members. We wish to put a face to
our name; to have those in positions of authority, power, and influence
recognize that we (our members) are their constituents, their neighbors, their friends, taxpayers, and volunteers in their
districts and neighborhoods.
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In this time of unrest and protest directed against all law enforcement personnel and agencies (Ferguson, NYC, etc.), we
recognize how vitally important having these prior relationships with these people and groups can be. We hope to
prevent that dehumanization (of LEOs) that takes place so often with negative and even tragic results.
We have started this process by meeting with various political and legislative leaders/staff in our area, and
communicating with them our desire to become more involved. We have received very positive responses, and will
continue to pursue this interaction. We are also starting a database wherein we will attempt to evaluate proposed and
pending legislation, and provide our membership with information regarding it - whether it could have a positive or
negative effect on us, and whether they might wish to support it or not.
In closing, we recognize that we, as a local, can, and must, be more involved in
these relationships, to be proactive in order to shape legislation that can affect us
and our families, and to help get our message and concerns out to the political and
legislative leadership in our area. We must be more effective in having our voices
heard, and this is an important part in accomplishing that goal.
We will also be creating a roster of members who are interested in being
available to attend meetings with political & legislative leaders in their districts
with our local political coordinator & Local 1613 leadership.
This greatly enhances our ability to gain access to these legislators and to
influence their decision making process.
Please contact Christopher J. Harris via email at: cookincop@aol.com if you
are interested.
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FIRST EDITION-2015-02001
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2. When it comes time to sitting down at the computer and typing your memo, seek the help of a
union representative. An experienced rep has composed more than a few memos for himself and
assisted with many more while representing other members. He has likely been there and done
that. In the vast majority of cases, patrol agents properly use defensive tactics. As far as
documenting their use of force situation, many PAs fall short. While typing the memo, you know
exactly what happened and what you want to say. However, what actually happened and what
ends up on the screen (and eventually on memo paper) are often two different events. Poor
articulation of facts opens the door for criticism, litigation, and prosecution. Additionally, charged
emotions can influence your report writing. For example, have you ever been in a heated
argument with your spouse or significant other? You knew exactly what you wanted to say. It
sounded PERFECT when the thought crossed your mind. Then you said iteither it came across in a
manner other than what you intended or you used a wrong word. What you intended to say was
not what you said. Use a union rep when writing your account of the events, they can help you
avoid many common and costly pitfalls.
3. Only submit one written account. There is no need to do anything but copy and paste the relevant
text of your memo into the use of force reporting module. Doing anything else only gives the
agency and opposing attorneys two different accounts to compare and contrast. You will be held
accountable for any discrepancies. Discrepancies can damage your credibility and bring about
discipline, litigation, and prosecution.
4. If you are called upon to testify at an Internal Affairs interview, Review Board, or other inquiry,
immediately contact a union representative and request attorney representation. Ensure you have
someone experienced, knowledgeable, and capable on your side.
As a patrol agent and a member of The NBPC Local 1613, you perform a very difficult and demanding
job every day. Unfortunately, there will always be those who will resist you in your efforts. When this
happens, you will eventually be called upon to use some level of force to effect an arrest. It is not only up
to you to ensure you do so appropriately, but to ensure you document it properly. It is important that
anyone that reads your report, walks away with a clear understanding of not only what you didbut why
you did it. Local 1613 has some outstanding, very experienced, and talented union representatives. Let
them help you.
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FIRST EDITION-2015-02001
NBPC 1613.ORG
Dedo INDICE: Do you know what it means? It means INDEX Finger. I know we
all have little stories from our past, here is one of many that I have.
When The Patrol started modernizing, they brought a little machine to print
the aliens. All they had to do was place their INDEX finger on the little
red light. I stood there watching the NUGGETs trying to get the aliens to
understand, "Dame tu dedo derecho INDICE." Most ofthem didn't know
thatPULGAR meant THUMB, how were we going to get them to understand INDICE.
So I stood there watching this comedy of errors for a several minutes until
I couldn't take it anymore. I stopped the process and in my COMMANDING
voice I asked, "Cual es el dedo que usan para picar la nariz" They all
laughed and stuck out their index finger. Problem solved.
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