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Border Agent Suicide Spikes
KWTX News ^ | August 16, 2010 | not listed

Posted on 08/16/2010 8:59:28 AM PDT by NorwegianViking

FORT HANCOCK (August 16, 2010)--U.S. Border Patrol agents are killing themselves in greater numbers, after nearly four years without one suicide, according to records The Associated Press obtained that show that at least 15 agents have taken their own lives since February 2008.

That’s the largest spike in suicides the agency has seen in at least 20 years, but it’s unclear exactly why the men ended their lives.

Few left notes.

Federal officials insist the deaths have nothing to do with the agency or the increasingly volatile U.S.-Mexico border, but administrators have quietly undertaken urgent suicide-prevention initiatives.

Those include special training for supervisors, videos about warning signs and educational programs for 22,000 agents nationwide.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: borderagents; borderpatrol; immigration; impossiblejob; mexico; suicide
This warrants more research.
1 posted on 08/16/2010 8:59:30 AM PDT by NorwegianViking
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To: NorwegianViking

Maybe the total feeling of helplessness? Or maybe murders made to LOOK like suicides?


2 posted on 08/16/2010 9:00:59 AM PDT by TommyDale (Independent - I already left the GOP because they were too liberal)
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To: NorwegianViking

Stress. They need more help.

Meanwhile Obama sends more money to unions that are already feeding off their rank and file members.


3 posted on 08/16/2010 9:01:51 AM PDT by Darkwolf377
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To: NorwegianViking

It is ODD that a party that loves growing the government WILL NOT add more agents in the one place that most Americans would love to see MORE GOVERNMENT!...............


4 posted on 08/16/2010 9:03:47 AM PDT by Red Badger (No, Obama's not the Antichrist. But he does have him in his MY FAVES.............)
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To: NorwegianViking

Few left notes.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Are these really suicides?


5 posted on 08/16/2010 9:03:53 AM PDT by wintertime (Good ideas win! Why? Because people are not stupid.)
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To: NorwegianViking
...but it’s unclear exactly why the men ended their lives

Were they all male? The Border Patrol really ramped up employment about 3 or 4 years ago, and I think they let their quality standards down a few pegs. Psychological profiling is pretty important in any law enforcement recruitment screening. You shouldn't be issuing guns to wimps or loners.

6 posted on 08/16/2010 9:06:34 AM PDT by downtownconservative (Even Emperor Obama has now noticed he has no clothes. His response? "Bush stole my clothes".)
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To: NorwegianViking

I would venture to guess suicide rates are up regardless of occupation.


7 posted on 08/16/2010 9:09:19 AM PDT by goseminoles
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To: NorwegianViking

I wonder what their arrest records were. If they were numerous then “suicide” seems unlikely. It would indicate that they liked doing their jobs and did them well.


8 posted on 08/16/2010 9:21:15 AM PDT by philman_36 (Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy. Benjamin Franklin)
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To: NorwegianViking

I’m sure they’re dejected by the recent requirement to “racial profile” and “separate kids from parents” while watching illegals stream across the border.

Next up, you’ll see conscientious objectors among the border patrol. I’m sure some idiot will try to turn them into a concierge and chauffeur service for the “disadvantage” and “undocumented.”


9 posted on 08/16/2010 9:27:22 AM PDT by sbMKE
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To: NorwegianViking

Could it have been that these border agents realized the futility of their jobs which resulted in depression?


10 posted on 08/16/2010 9:30:04 AM PDT by 353FMG (ISLAM - America's inevitable road to destruction.)
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To: NorwegianViking

BP was on a hiring spree and I suspect given the larger numbers didnt screen out those truly unsuited to the work. I dont think you can attribute the increased number of suicides to anything in particular until more *credible* investigation is performed.


11 posted on 08/16/2010 10:22:46 AM PDT by 556x45
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To: NorwegianViking
Border Agent Suicide Spikes

After the Campo and Ramos debacle under Bush, what compelling reason is there to prevent them from committing suicide?? The DBM and the Dems snipe at them every chance they get, they are undermanned and treated like dog poop on the shoes of the political elites.

They signed on to protect the sovereign borders of this country and are being betrayed by political elites who want the illegals here to pad the ballot box and keep them in office!!

12 posted on 08/16/2010 10:32:12 AM PDT by DustyMoment
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