CBP field office debuts professionalism program

Customs and Border Protection’s Laredo Field Office announced the launch of an initiative aimed at emphasizing professionalism among the members of the CBP workforce at South Texas ports of entry.

CBP called the PRIDE Initiative (Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence) "a re-dedication from the top down to the ideals of professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence in our frontline CBP officers’ interaction with the traveling public ..."

“CBP is the premiere border-based federal law enforcement agency in the U.S., and in order to better embody that ideal, we realized the critical importance of re-instilling and strengthening a culture of professionalism throughout our ranks,” said the director of field operations at the Laredo Field Office, David P. Higgerson.

As part of the initiative, CBP also will create a fully-staffed "integrity and professionalism standards division" within the Laredo Field Office, and name "professionalism service managers" (PSMs) who will be deployed to the Laredo Port of Entry and all South Texas ports. Under the new program, the PSMs also will oversee recurring "professionalism training" of the workforce.

The agency said the PSMs, who will wear red lanyards to identify themselves, also will be tasked with taking and addressing any comments, concerns or compliments from the traveling public and trade stakeholders.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz, Mexican Consul in Charge Juan Jose Martinez de la Rosa, and Laredo Port Director Joseph Misenhelter attended the launch of the program.