CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today proudly announced that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will have a long standing presence at Summit Point.

With the departure of the U.S. State Department from Summit Point, as well as the need for increased training and administrative space at CBP, Chairman Capito was able to connect these entities. Training activities will include firearms training, unmanned aircraft systems training, and medical training.

“The facilities and personnel at Summit Point are second to none. I was disappointed when the State Department decided to move away. Ever since then, I have made it a priority to backfill that presence, and I am proud that CBP will help fill that void. I look forward to a long term partnership,” Chairman Capito said.

BACKGROUND:

In November 2019, the U.S. Department of State vacated Summit Point, West Virginia. The Summit Point Training Area is comprised of 19 acres and includes classroom facilities, physical training/conditioning facilities, firing ranges, breeching/entry/tactical movement skills facilities, and several other training facilities. It is located close to CBP’s Advanced Training Facility (ATC) in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

The type of training CBP will pursue will include: 

  • Firearms
  • Less lethal
  • Mobile field force
  • Chemical and Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS)
  • Medical

This partnership is a result of language Chairman Capito authored in the FY20 funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

Law Enforcement Safety and Compliance Expansion.—The Committee supports the $19,400,000 requested for human resources, financial support, logistics, and other requirements associated with the procurement, invoicing, inventory, shipping, and training needed to transition to the 9mm duty weapon for all CBP law enforcement officers and agents. The Committee understands that the program will require increased capacity at the Law Enforcement Support Center Directorate located at the Advanced Training Center [ATC] and provides an additional $10,000,000 to address these requirements within close proximity to the ATC.

The partnership between CBP and Summit Point was made possible due to the funds provided and direction given. 

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