WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides this update regarding the investigation of horse patrol activity in Del Rio, Texas on September 19, 2021. The activity under investigation, which was captured in photographs and video that circulated nationwide, occurred during the large gathering of Haitian and other migrants near the International Bridge.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially referred the investigation to DHS's Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG declined to investigate and referred the matter back to CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). OPR then immediately commenced investigative work, including its review of videos and photographs and the interview of witnesses, employees, and CBP leadership. OPR has followed customary process in its investigation of this matter.
Once completed, the results of the investigation will be provided to CBP management to determine whether disciplinary action is appropriate and, if so, the specific discipline to be imposed. At that time, the employees will be afforded due process, including an opportunity to respond, and any corrective actions will comport with applicable laws and regulations. The disciplinary process, which is separate from the fact-finding investigation, is subject to certain timelines established in CBP's labor-management agreement with the employees' union of the United States Border Patrol.
DHS remains committed to conducting a thorough, independent, and objective investigation. DHS will share information, as available, consistent with the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and individuals' privacy.
Set forth below is a more detailed overview of the key steps of the investigative and disciplinary processes that govern this kind of matter:
CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is the office charged with investigating alleged misconduct of CBP employees. In accorda
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