Assistant Commissioner Matthew Klein
The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is responsible for ensuring compliance with all CBP-wide programs and policies relating to corruption, misconduct, or mismanagement, and for executing CBP’s internal security and integrity awareness programs. Through its national headquarters in Washington, DC, and strategically located regional field offices, OPR screens potential CBP employees for suitability; conducts polygraph examinations for law enforcement positions; educates employees concerning ethical standards and integrity responsibilities; investigates allegations of employee corruption and serious misconduct, and evaluates security threats to CBP employees, facilities, and sensitive information. The OPR mission is clear and critically important - to promote the integrity and security of the CBP workforce.
Through OPR’s unyielding commitment to promote the integrity and security of the CBP workforce, OPR will continue to mature and advance the following strategic attributes: Innovative, Agile, and Collaborative.
- Innovative – streamline processes and embrace new technology to drive organizational growth and improvement
- Agile – anticipate future needs and problems and proactively develop creative solutions rather than relying on conventional approaches or habits
- Collaborative – strive to be an organization positively engaged with all other CBP component offices, accessible to stakeholders, and (when appropriate) forthcoming with information/feedback/analysis to improve the overall condition of the organization
OPR has identified four key goals that will frame its organizational and Division-specific action plans. Each of the below goals has associated objectives that serve to provide direction to OPR when considering how to achieve these high-level goals.
- GOAL 1 – Identify and Counter Threats to CBP’s Culture of Integrity and Security
- Maximize the value of OPR’s existing people, processes, and resources
- GOAL 2 – Leverage Personnel, Tools, Technology and Partnerships to enhance CBP’s Integrity and Security Posture
- Amplify OPR value by investing in new, innovative strategies across CBP
- GOAL 3 – Become a More Proficient Consumer and Source of Data, Information and Analysis and Promote Data-Driven Decision Making
- Enhance OPR mission execution by cultivating and upgrading our data and analytical capabilities
- GOAL 4 – Invest in Human Capital Initiatives that Help OPR Employees Maximize Their Professional Development
- Recruit, train and retain talent within our organization to drive OPR into the future
Operational Functions
Investigative Operations
The OPR Investigative Operations Division (IOD) is organizationally structured to meet the threat of corruption and address misconduct that undermines the safety and security of CBP’s workforce and mission.
IOD personnel are strategically assigned throughout the United States in ten OPR field offices each led by a Special Agent in Charge: Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Tucson, El Paso, Houston, Detroit, Miami, New York, and Washington, DC. IOD criminal investigators collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation-led Border Corruption Task Force/Public Corruption Task Force to safeguard the integrity of the CBP workforce.
Seven specialized units managed in Headquarters support investigations: Technical Operations Unit, Cyber Investigations Unit, Use of Force Incident Team, Administrative Inquiry Program, Investigative Review Team, Policy Team, and the Integrity Assurance Program.
Threat Mitigation and Analysis
The Threat Mitigation and Analysis Division performs research and analysis of complex data and information surrounding individuals and allegations related to suspected or identified CBP administrative or criminal misconduct using a variety of sources within DHS and other federal and state law enforcement partners and private sector tools.
Personnel Security
The Personnel Security Division (PSD) is responsible for the development of policy and procedures and the implementation and administration of all aspects of the Personnel Security program at CBP to include background investigations, periodic reinvestigations, security clearances, employment suitability determinations, and continuous evaluation of employees to ensure eligibility for employment. CBP has been delegated authority by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to perform its own background investigations of applicants, employees, and contractors employed by or seeking employment with CBP. PSD directs, coordinates, and ensures compliance with all required standards of background investigations conducted by our contracted Investigative Service Providers.
Credibility Assessment
The Credibility Assessment Division (CAD) enhances the integrity of the CBP workforce and deters insider threats by providing OPR Divisions with essential information through administration of polygraph examinations that advance or resolve pre-employment background, administrative, criminal and counterintelligence investigations. The Anti-Border Corruption Act (ABCA) of 2010 mandates that all applicants for CBP law enforcement positions undergo a pre-employment polygraph examination as part of the screening process. CAD administers all of CBP’s pre-employment polygraph examinations from 28 OPR offices and over 30 satellite offices across the continental United States in compliance with the ABCA.
Security Management
The Security Management Division (SMD) safeguards CBP’s workforce and operations by providing oversight for physical, informational, industrial, and operational security programs in CBP. SMD identifies and reduces risks, threats, and vulnerabilities in the security of CBP’s personnel and assets, while working to support its mission of protecting the Nation’s borders.
