Canada Border Agency Officers

[dipmicro]

99% of them are nice, not smiling much, strict, some even bark, but they are generally respectful and polite. I understand, they deal daily with criminals (so they claim).

Today I hit a bully. He harassed and humiliated me. Said he knew his authority and could do and ask anything he wanted (btw. he was asking questions about my wife who was not even there, and yet I answered). I did not show any attitude, did not ask "Say Please" like one dude from Vancouver back in March. I was a bit surprised and reluctant to shout "yes sir" when he started disciplining me repeating himself 3 times with "Do I make myself clear?" or "Do you understand", but when I found out that gets him through faster, I "yes, sir"-ed him. Officer 17176 was power-playing me.

I have reviewed Customs Act and CBSA Code of Conduct and feel there was a grounds for complaint, so I filed it with Ministry of Public Safety and I am going to make it my side project to bring this up again and again to CBSA internal review untill something is done about arrogance of our border guards. And I want to encourage anyone who ever felt violated and reads this to file a similar complaint with the Ministry.

Wonder what CBSA screening process is. Do they actually hire unsuccessfull correctional officers ?

[coxengines]

Roman,

Don't forget what kind of people actually sign up for those jobs. The same ones that vie to be be police officers, "neighbourhood watch" members, MAAD hopefuls and the like that purport to act "in the interests of society",

Just stay above it all, grin, keep your cool and realize that you are the one that will fill find happiness in life, whereas they continue to seek out what they believe is "wrong" in our society.

Bernie

[surplusdealdude]

I've found most of the guards on both sides to be nice.

But "police services" attracts people that like to be obeyed and the training emphasizes that they have to control the situation.

Bully boy had better not try that with me - I'll be calling his supervisor over right there and then.

I put up with jerks in the US because it's their country and I'm just a visitor, but Canadian guards had better be polite of the excrement is going to hit the circulatory system. -------------------------------------------------------------------

It is our similarities that make us all human - it is our differences that make us all interesting

[dipmicro]

Bernie, I just point out a jerk who costs Canada a good name. If 3-4 taxpayers do the same, there will be a review and perhaps they give him a desk job and one part of the border will be less frustrating place for many. Bernie, your suggestion is very practical, I agree - forget about it and move on. But all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

Surplusdealdude, I am not going to confront a psychopath with badge, gun, teaser and pepper spray (Robert Dziekanski). His supervisor may be his local drinking buddy, we should let Ottawa know. I hope more will do because that's the only way this will work.

[surplusdealdude]

Well, we all have different ways of dealing with people.

I would be asking his name and badge number and where his supervisor is - I have a right to that information.

Then I would be doing something about it. -------------------------------------------------------------------

It is our similarities that make us all human - it is our differences that make us all interesting

[dipmicro]

surplusdealdude, I avoid direct confrontation if possible, I am temperament (hot-head) and it always escalates. Yes, everyone deals differently, that's right on.

Anyway, folks, if you think you have been harassed, violated or threatened by border guard, file a complaint and note the officer number in it:

http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/abt/contact-eng.aspx

CBSA Code Of Conduct:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/acc-resp/code-eng.html

[dipmicro]

I found out the CBSA officers are not exactly allowed to ask any questions they feel:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/enf/enf04-eng.pdf

A BSO at Immigration Secondary will normally examine a Canadian citizen only when the BSO at
PIL doubts the person’s citizenship. A BSO at a port of entry should examine Canadian citizens
as expeditiously as possible. Once the officer establishes that a person is a Canadian citizen, the
examination should end and the person should be allowed to enter Canada without further delay.
It is not appropriate for BSOs to elicit further personal information from a Canadian citizen.

It seems once they establish Canadian citizenship, the immigration portion should be over and rest of the questions should be related to the goods only.

I also learned CBSA is hated more by public than CCRA. So people actually like taxman more than border officer ...