As the global leader in connected public safety technologies, Axon is proud to be working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to better enhance its policing practices and reinforce trust and transparency for its important work every day along America’s borders. In recent months, Axon has partnered with CBP on a targeted deployment of body-worn cameras and a digital evidence management system which is the first step toward broader implementation across the agency.

“Body-worn cameras are part of the agency’s new Incident-Driven Video Recording Systems program, which records and stores video and audio data to support the agency’s mission. The cameras are roughly the size of a deck of playing cards – agents and officers will wear them on the front of their uniforms. The cameras will be running continuously in the background, and once an agent or officer activates a camera, it begins to save the footage starting two minutes before the activation of the camera. CBP has drafted protocols for agents and officers to follow when activating their cameras, with safety of personnel and the public as the foremost considerations in shaping the policy. Footage is retained based upon the nature of the recorded incident and its evidentiary value.” - CBP announcement in August 2021

This program is the result of strong bipartisan support in Congress, particularly from House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and Ranking Member Chuck Fleischmann, who have made it a priority to strengthen technology and transparency across America’s borders.

Announcement of this effort last year also highlighted the broad support outside of Congress, including the American Civil Liberties Union and others who have called for increased accountability and the union for border patrol agents and the National Border Patrol Council — who have stated body-worn cameras could assist criminal investigations and demonstrate that agents act professionally and often with great restraint.

CBP has noted this program is a significant step forward and will build upon CBP’s current policies and actions to investigate incidents and allegations of misconduct and more effectively protect the workforce and the public they serve. The agency is deploying the cameras in phases, beginning at Border Patrol locations across the southwest and northern borders.

Axon has partnered with CBP to train and equip some agents in several key border patrol sectors.

For more information on Axon’s Federal solutions, visit: axon.com/federal

Ronald Vitiello is the Head of DHS Programs and Strategy. Prior to joining Axon, Ronald dedicated 34 years to government service, specializing in national security. Ronald served as CBP’s Acting Deputy Commissioner until he was appointed Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol in 2017. Ronald retired as Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in April 2019.