WASHINGTON: US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske announced a new vision and strategy for the agency of more than 60,000 employees charged with border security and trade and travel facilitation.
The first comprehensive strategic plan in nearly a decade, CBP’s Vision and Strategy 2020 advances collaboration, innovation and integration as strategic themes driving CBP forward into the year 2020.
“Our Vision and Strategy 2020 clearly outlines how we plan to enhance both our agility and ability to meet increasingly global and increasingly complex challenges,” said Commissioner Kerlikowske.
At a speech delivered at the Brookings Institution, Commissioner Kerlikowske also acknowledged the tremendous responsibility placed on the agency’s personnel by describing a typical day at the agency. As the Nation’s frontline border agency, CBP enforces 500 laws for 47 federal agencies. Commissioner Kerlikowske discussed accomplishments during this first year at CBP in the areas of travel, trade and transparency, including:
– The facilitation of 107 million travelers, which is an additional 19 million international travelers over the previous year, while reducing wait times by as much as 30 percent;
– The facilitation of 26 million cargo containers, a four percent increase over the previous year;
– New guidelines and enhanced training regarding the use of force;
– A marked decline in the number of use of force incidents in the first half of FY 2015, from 542 to 385, compared to the same timeframe in FY 2014;
– Newly delegated authority for CBP to investigate employees for alleged criminal misconduct.
CBP’s Vision and Strategy outlines four goals:
1. Combat terrorism and transnational organized crime;
2. Advance comprehensive border security and border management;
3. Enhance U.S. economic competitiveness by enabling lawful trade and travel;
4. Promote organizational integration, innovation, and agility.
The Vision and Strategy 2020 reaffirms the agency’s commitment to partnerships, innovation, as well as integrated, risk-informed, intelligence driven law enforcement operations.
