Every day these men and women must resist smugglers attempts to corrupt them through bribery and threats. For as many travelers as there are crossing our borders or landing in our international airport terminals, there are reasons they have made the trip. The job of the Customs inspector is to safeguard our borders from those who want to violate our trade and drug laws while facilitating the travel of all innocent persons. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on the Customs inspectors who greet arriving travelers from all over the world. Their job is demanding and dangerous.
Customs inspectors carry weapons and undergo mandatory firearms training.
They are taught to make arrests. They learn defensive tactics for protecting themselves from dangerous criminals with whom they may come face to face. They must be courteous, but at all times on guard and wary of the traveler who may be dangerous to the Customs inspector or other travelers. Not many people recognize the concessions inspectors make for the Customs Service. Cargo shipments and travelers cross our borders at all times of the day and night, and Customs inspectors must be there to process them.