Thank you for that excellent question.
We did indeed focus considerably on this problem area. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find any data, but as we discovered over time, the Agency did not have the proper tools for collecting data.
However, as I noted in my opening remarks, we interviewed 383 people, all of whom related to us incidents in which they had been involved. They reported physical assaults -- some had been hospitalized -- serious verbal abuse and altercations leading to blows and various types of injuries. A customs officer working alone even died under mysterious circumstances. His lifeless body was discovered the following day.
A number of officers told us that we would have a difficult time collecting data because first of all, the agency does not collect this type of data and secondly, that they have no desire to become statistics. They also informed us of the existence of a policy whereby they must back off when in the presence of a violent criminal. Since they have a family , they want to go home at night. So then, they back off and let the police take over.