Why Task Force Officers Need PLI

United States government officials have placed an emphasis in immigration enforcement in the new administration. The manpower needed to achieve these immigration enforcement goals is potentially beyond the current federal law enforcement workforce alone. Accordingly, the federal government has made greater use of a program, known as the 287(g) Task Force Model, that allows for local and state law enforcement officers to be federally deputized to act as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. In this role they are able to question those they suspect of being in the country illegally and to serve and execute warrants of arrest for immigration violations.

By entering into agreements with state and local law enforcement offices, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are able to broaden their reach and further their mission. To participate in the program, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) must submit a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that is then reviewed and signed by the Director of ICE.

Approved law enforcement officers then go through a course certification to become a task force officer (TFO) for ICE. While these incoming TFOs will undergo this training, many to most will lack prior experience in immigration enforcement. TFOs and their LEAs will likely be concerned about the potential vulnerabilities that acting under the color of this new authority will expose. When this happens, it is crucial that agents have the tools to defend themselves – a professional liability insurance (PLI) policy from FEDS Protection can help.

 

Becoming a federal law enforcement officer is a process that involves extensive training in your specialized field and includes studying the laws that impact your scope of employment. State and local law enforcement officers are not previously trained to be ICE agents, and in many cases lack previous immigration enforcement experience. Prospective LEAs were informed that the training course offered by ICE is set to cover scope of authority, immigration law, civil rights law, cross-cultural issues, liability issues, complaint procedures, and obligations under federal law.

Law enforcement officers being detailed to these task forces will be required to learn an entirely new set of operating procedures and laws. With the introduction of new expectations and procedures, these officers are left vulnerable to mistakes, which may lead to allegations of misconduct or other complaints or lawsuits. TFOs will be held accountable under a new set of complaint and appeal procedures.

Along with the increased vulnerability from new job responsibilities in a federal capacity, task force officers acting within the 287(g) Task Force Model will likely be subject to heightened media scrutiny. If an allegation is made against you, it is a necessity, not luxury, to have knowledgeable and effective counsel advocating on your behalf.

As the professional liability insurance (PLI) provider endorsed by the leading federal law enforcement employee associations, FEDS Protection offers task force officers (TFOs) PLI policies with $1 million or $2 million in civil liability protection for attorney’s fees and indemnity costs in the event you are sued in your personal capacity.  The FEDS policy also includes $200,000 of legal representation coverage for administrative actions and $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense costs.  

Annual premiums for FEDS Protection PLI start at $290. To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you and your career, explore our site or call (866) 955-FEDS, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-6pm EST to speak directly to a representative.

*This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.