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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 11:39 am
Time: 11:39 am
Results for customs agencies
3 results foundAuthor: Gounev, Philip Title: Better Management of EU Borders Through Cooperation Summary: Since the adoption of the concept of ‘integrated management system for external borders’ by the Laeken European Council in 2001, a number of policy documents have drawn attention to the need for increased inter-agency cooperation at the EU’s external borders. Following the Commission Communication of 7 May 2002 on integrated border management and the Feasibility study of 30 May 2002 on a European Border Police, the Seville European Council approved an ‘Action Plan on the Management of External Borders of the European Union’ (2002). Later, the 2005 Hague Programme built upon the Tampere Programme, setting out the objectives and mapping the development of a ‘second generation’ of measures designed to strengthen management of the external borders in general. Some of the achievements of putting into practice these policy visions and programmes included the establishment of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders (Frontex); and the adoption of the EU Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (2006). In addition, the 2005 Community Customs Code (CCC) established a number of systems aiming at tightening security requirements for the movement of goods across international borders. Despite the extensive development of common standards in the management of the EU’s external borders, the forms and extent of cooperation between Customs and Border Guards has been left to the individual Member States. As a result, the forms and extent of cooperation differ greatly, as some countries either have very extensive and substantial cooperation, or have even merged institutions (as in the UK), while in others relations between the two agencies are characterised by a deep divide, competition, and lack of communication. The present report analyses, for the first time, the existing forms of cooperation between Customs and Border Guards, and the obstacles to effective cooperation between them. National, geographic, institutional and cultural factors determine the diversity in border management practices and inter-agency operational modes across the EU. Nevertheless, best practices need to be reviewed and applied, to improve the protection and management of the EU’s external borders. The purpose of this study is both to identify best practices and the obstacles to cooperation between the Border Guard (BG) and Customs agencies and to make recommendations to the Eureopean Commission (EC), the Member States (MSs) and BG and Customs administrations working at the external borders for improving their efficiency and effectiveness through enhanced cooperation. Best practices and obstacles to cooperation were identified based on the information collected from an electronic survey of BG and Customs officers in 26 MSs,8 230 interviews, and 25 site visits to 12 MSs. In addition to the analysis of the legal and operational aspects of cooperation, the underlying institutional, political and cultural contexts in which Customs and BG operate were examined. Details: Sofia, Bulgaria: Center for the Study of Democracy, 2011. 441p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 29, 2011 at: http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/doc_centre/borders/docs/customs_bgs_final.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/doc_centre/borders/docs/customs_bgs_final.pdf Shelf Number: 121893 Keywords: Border Control (Europe)Border Patrol121893Border SecurityCustoms Agencies |
Author: Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General Title: A Review of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Procurement of Untrained Canines Summary: Chairman Bennie G. Thompson and Representative Kendrick B. Meek, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, requested that we review a contract awarded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to procure and deliver untrained canines to its canine training facilities. They expressed concerns that the contract costs may be outside of a reasonable price range for untrained dogs. We were also requested to review vendor licensing requirements, the percentage of canines unsuitable for service, and the role of dog deployment in the overall border protection strategy. From April 2006 through June 2007, U.S. Customs and Border Protection procured 322 untrained canines at a cost of $1.46 million, or an average price of $4,535 per canine. The costs incurred for the untrained canines were reasonable and were comparable to the costs incurred for untrained canines procured by organizations such as the United States Secret Service and the Department of Defense. Regarding the cost effectiveness of the program, while only 3.85% of the Office of Border Patrol’s 13,905 agents were canine handlers, they were credited with 60% of narcotic apprehensions and 40% of all other apprehensions in FY 2007. The solicitation and award of this contract were conducted according to applicable federal regulations. Also, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials said that the vendors were not required to possess a federally issued license to engage in the sale of animals. Through August 14, 2007, 26 or 8% of the procured canines did not complete the training. CBP donated six of these canines to private homes, which was inconsistent with federal regulations. We recommend that U.S. Customs and Border Protection adjust the delivery timeframes for vendors, properly transfer or sell unfit canines, and implement a unified system that accurately accounts for the performance of canine teams. U.S. Customs and Border Protection generally concurred with all recommendations. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, 2008. 35p. Source: OIG-08-46: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 28, 2012 at http://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/OIG_08-46_Apr08.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/OIG_08-46_Apr08.pdf Shelf Number: 123855 Keywords: Customs AgenciesPolice Dogs (U.S.) |
Author: National Immigration Forum Title: Misbehavior at the Border: Are Those Who Control Immigration Out of Control Themselves? Summary: This paper looks at corruption and misconduct documented within the Border Patrol and its parent agency, Customs and Border Protection. With rapid growth, high turnover and a high new agent to experienced agent ration, there are questions about the adequacy of training and supervision. Another problem stems from the fact that the Inspector General’s office, which investigates many complaints against CBP agents, has not been properly resourced to keep pace with its workload. Details: Washington, DC: National Immigration Forum, 2012. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 13, 2013 at http://www.immigrationforum.org/images/uploads/2012/CBP_Misconduct.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.immigrationforum.org/images/uploads/2012/CBP_Misconduct.pdf Shelf Number: 127270 Keywords: Border SecurityCorruptionCustoms AgenciesImmigration EnforcementPolice Misconduct |