ROSEAU, Minn. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), and Office of Air and Marine (OAM) recently sponsored an outreach event on May 26 where 4th grade students from Roseau Independent School District 682 were provided an educational tour highlighting CBP’s mission in protecting America’s borders.
Port Director David Moorhead and CBP Supervisory Officer Kristine Dokken welcomed the students and let them know they would be provided information about CBP with some hands-on demonstrations from CBP officers, Border Patrol agents and Air Interdiction officers. The students were accompanied to the physical boundary separating Canada and the United States by CBP Officer Scott Miller. A highlight for many of the students was the opportunity to place one foot in Canada and one foot in the United States.
Roseau Grade 4 Students and Warroad Border Patrol Station Staff
The students also received a tour of the Roseau Port of Entry, which included a demonstration of CBP’s non-intrusive technology. CBP Officer Damian McMillin led students in a practical exercise where they were given an opportunity to use various tools to include use of the fiber-optic scope.
Supervisory Officer Jared Olafson provided a hands-on Use of Force demonstration and an inside look at what tools CBP officers and Border Patrol agents carry in the performance of duties. The students were allowed to handle some training aids that had been rendered safe by the Less Lethal Force instructors.
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Joe Strand, along with Border Patrol Agents Joseph Peterson and Carl Hultman from the Warroad Border Patrol Station, provided a short presentation regarding the U.S. Border Patrol mission and available tools and technology utilized by agents in the field.
CBP Agriculture Specialist Chief Gene Krause, from the International Falls, MN Port of Entry, provided a look at the CBP agriculture mission and inspection process. The demonstration included an exercise that allowed the student to find and identify “pests” in relation to safeguarding U.S. agriculture and industry.
Roseau Grade 4 Students and CBP helicopter, along with OAM, OFO, and USBP personnel
During the tour of the port of entry, CBP’s Office of Air and Marine from Grand Forks, ND, landed a CBP helicopter piloted by Air Interdiction Agent Douglas Walker in front of the port and the students were allowed to sit inside the cockpit.
The day ended with a demonstration by a USBP narcotics detection dog, “Ulix.” Two canine demonstrations were provided by USBP K-9 Handler Seth Whitney where students were able to witness the detection of narcotics and a person hidden in the trunk of a vehicle.
The Roseau Port of Entry and the Warroad Border Patrol Station look forward to this event on a yearly basis. “CBP is committed to supporting a positive partnership between law enforcement and America’s youth,” said Port Director David Moorhead. “This event is great opportunity to display work performed by CBP and other federal agencies in regards to border security and we look forward to conduct the outreach event again next year.”