Border Patrol faces Scrutiny Over Urban Policing Tactics Following Minneapolis Shooting
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Amidst ongoing protests and a federal examination into the shooting of Alex pretti,questions are mounting regarding the Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) preparedness for policing in urban environments.Experts and local officials are raising concerns that the agency,designed for border security,lacks the training and skillset necessary to effectively manage crowds and confrontations in cities,particularly when protesters are legally armed.
Investigation Launched After Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis
Federal officials are currently investigating the death of Alex Pretti, who was shot by a Border Patrol agent on Saturday in Minneapolis. The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the CBP’s use of force, prompting a review of its tactics and training. The agency itself is conducting its own internal investigation.
A Mismatch of Skills and Environments
With over 45,000 officers, the CBP is the largest law enforcement agency in the United States. Though, its primary focus is on securing the nation’s borders, not policing urban areas. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called for the CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to step back from policing duties within the state. Governor Tim Walz articulated this sentiment on Sunday, stating, “it’s their job to do immigrations and customs enforcement.It’s law enforcement’s job to do law enforcement in Minnesota.” The situation is further elaborate by the fact that CBP officers now outnumber Minneapolis police, raising fears they are operating outside their area of expertise.
The shooting of Pretti has amplified these concerns. Initial reports from federal officials suggested pretti was at fault for being armed, a claim that drew swift condemnation from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus. according to the group’s chairman, Bryan Strawser, “Federal officers, particularly those that are not based in Minnesota – they should be informed on what our laws are,” as Minnesota law permits concealed carry with a permit, which police confirmed Pretti possessed.
CBP Defends Role, Acknowledges Evolving Challenges
the federal immigration agencies maintain they are being compelled into crowd control situations.CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott stated on Fox News that the agency’s primary training focuses on arresting suspects, a task already inherently risky. He added that the current surroundings, where “the community is encouraged by local leaders to come out and actually prevent you from making a felony arrest – it’s a new dynamic,” presents a meaningful challenge. “We’re trying to evolve to it.”
History of Excessive Force Concerns and Training Updates
This is not the first time the CBP has faced scrutiny regarding its use of force. Over a decade ago, external reviews identified a pattern of excessive force, including instances of officers shooting individuals for throwing rocks. In response, the agency updated its manual in 2014 to mandate the use of less-lethal weapons, such as pepper spray, and implemented changes to its training protocols.
Kawika Lau, a retired federal trainer who contributed to the new de-escalation training, emphasized the importance of “emotional intelligence, self-regulation, self-awareness because you can’t bring calm to any situation if you, yourself, are not calm.” However, Lau cautioned that these techniques are most effective in one-on-one encounters and their applicability to large-scale crowd control remains uncertain. “They may have some training and expertise in urban operations… but that’s not what that position was designed to do. Therefore, that’s not what the training is designed to produce.”
Calls for a “Tactical Pause”
Governor Walz recently reported having a “productive call” with President Trump, who reportedly agreed to consider reducing the number of federal agents deployed in minnesota. Veteran police reform expert Chuck wexler suggested that any other police agency facing three shootings in as manny weeks would initiate a period of reassessment.He expressed hope that federal authorities would consider a “tactical pause” in Minnesota to evaluate their approach.
The situation underscores the complex challenges of deploying federal agencies in roles for which they were not originally intended, and the critical need for specialized training and clear guidelines when operating in unfamiliar urban environments.
