A new uniform Customs and Border Protection (CBP) national standards on the transport, escort, detention and search (TEDS) governing the agency’s interaction with detained individuals, has been implemented, CBP announced.
TEDS also includes requirements related to the prevention of sexual abuse and assault, the treatment of personal property and the care of at-risk individuals in custody including children and families.
“As highly accomplished and dedicated law enforcement professionals, CBP personnel are committed to ensuring the safety, security and care of people in our custody,” said Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “Through this consistent and clear policy, CBP further reinforces this duty. Our expectation is for CBP employees to treat all individuals they come in contact with dignity and respect.”
Among the most significant features, TEDS:
- Addresses the inventory, retention, and return of an individual’s personal property such as identification documents, medications, currency and legal papers. These items will be itemized and safeguarded until their return to the owner;
- Contains detailed language pertaining to hold room and detention standards such as temperature, meals, clean water, and hygiene; and
- Includes language on gender identity, which was not previously included in the individual component policies. Specifically, whenever feasible, officers and agents who conduct a search or are present at a medical examination must be of the same gender, gender identity or declared gender as the individual being searched.
TEDS serves as a foundational policy for the agency with each operational office, United States Border Patrol and the Office of Field Operations, augmenting it through their respective policies and procedures. The comprehensive policy document is grounded firmly in the experience and policies of these operational offices. It incorporates best practices developed in the field, and it reflects key legal and regulatory requirements.
