Sec. 117. Customs border patrol and border protection assets
638 words·~3 min read·
/bill/113/hr/3163/ih/section-117·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary shall ensure that every agent is issued high-quality body armor that is appropriate for the climate and risks faced by the agent. Each agent shall be permitted to select from among a variety of approved brands and styles. Agents shall be strongly encouraged, but not required, to wear such body armor whenever practicable. All body armor shall be replaced not less often than once every five years. The Secretary shall ensure that agents are equipped with weapons that are reliable and effective to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and innocent third parties from the threats posed by armed criminals.
The Secretary shall ensure that the policies of the Department authorize all agents to carry weapons that are suited to the potential threats that they face. The Secretary shall ensure that all agents are provided with all necessary uniform items, including outerwear suited to the climate, footwear, belts, holsters, and personal protective equipment, at no cost to such agents. Such items shall be replaced at no cost to such agents as such items become worn or unserviceable or no longer fit properly.
The Secretary shall conduct a review of asset needs, and if determined to be insufficient, shall increase the number of helicopters under the control of the Border Patrol. The Secretary shall ensure that appropriate types of helicopters are procured for the various missions being performed. The Secretary shall conduct a review of asset needs and if determined to be insufficient, shall increase the number of power boats under the control of the Border Patrol. The Secretary shall ensure that the types of power boats that are procured are appropriate for both the waterways in which they are used and the mission requirements.
The Secretary shall— establish an overall policy on how the helicopters and power boats procured under this subsection will be used; and implement training programs for the agents who use such assets, including safe operating procedures and rescue operations. The Secretary shall conduct a review of asset needs and if determined to be insufficient, establish a fleet of motor vehicles appropriate for use by the Border Patrol. The Secretary shall ensure that there are sufficient numbers and types of other motor vehicles to support the mission of the Border Patrol.
All motor vehicles purchased for the Border Patrol shall— be appropriate for the mission of the Border Patrol; and have a panic button and a global positioning system device that is activated solely in emergency situations to track the location of agents in distress. The Secretary shall ensure that each police-type motor vehicle in the fleet of the Border Patrol is equipped with a portable computer with access to all necessary law enforcement databases and otherwise suited to the unique operational requirements of the Border Patrol.
The Secretary shall augment the existing radio communications system so that all law enforcement personnel working in each area where Border Patrol operations are conducted have clear and encrypted 2-way radio communication capabilities at all times. Each portable communications device shall be equipped with a panic button and a global positioning system device that is activated solely in emergency situations to track the location of agents in distress. The Secretary shall ensure that each Border Patrol agent who is determined by the Secretary to need a handheld global positioning device to effectively and safely carry out his or her duties is issued a state-of-the-art handheld global positioning system device for navigational purposes.
The Secretary shall ensure that sufficient quantities of state-of-the-art night vision equipment are procured and maintained to enable each Border Patrol agent working during the hours of darkness to be equipped with a portable night vision device. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019 to carry out this section.