US Border Patrol, regional agencies train together

Sav Kelly / Grand Forks Herald By Staff reports Today at 1:12 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? GRAND FORKS — The United States Border Control recently hosted a multiagency tracking class that focused on special regionalized training for duties along the U.S.-Canada border. “The specialized training is vital along the northern border, where agents and local law enforcement partners must be prepared to track during life-threatening conditions brought on by the region's harsh winter climate,” said a release sent to the media. “Participants honed their tracking skills and became better prepared to conduct search operations for lost individuals. These skillsets go beyond apprehending border crossers and underscore the critical, lifesaving commitment to community safety as winter approaches.” ADVERTISEMENT Participating agencies included Pembina County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Forks Police Department, Kittson County Sheriff’s Office, Canadian law enforcement partners and the North Dakota Highway Patrol. The release noted that the course blended three days of intensive classroom instruction, practical exercises and scenario-based training. Participants covered the fundamentals of tracking people and included establishing sign descriptions, reading footprints and grass trails, and understanding the various components required to track individuals across diverse terrain. "Opportunities like this provide agents and officers the ability to learn new principles and build upon practical experience,” Acting Chief Patrol Agent Michael W. Hanson said. “Beyond apprehending illegal aliens and criminals, these vital skills increase law enforcement’s ability to locate missing hunters, lost hikers, endangered children, etc. With winter right around the corner, this is more significant than ever.” The last day of the training included scenarios at the Pembina Gorge. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags U.S.-CANADA BORDER By Staff reports Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story. Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next North Dakota North Dakota receives $206M in rural health funds 42m ago · By Staff reports North Dakota Research shows managed grazing benefits cattle, soil and increases carbon capture in ND 3h ago · By Michael Standaert North Dakota Honoring the North Dakota native who helped raise first flag at Iwo Jima 5h ago · By Pamela Knudson ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Columns Port: The voters are standing behind North Dakota's property tax cap 7h ago · By Rob Port Minnesota Becker County voter's ballot misses deadline by a day as Senate race remains close 19h ago · By Michael McGurran Men's Sports McFeely: Hawaii, somehow, blocks out distractions in paradise 20h ago · By Mike McFeely Fargo Pucker Power: Ben Franklin trumpet students compete for best 'siren' sound 19h ago · By Kevin Wallevand