(November 16)   The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, commonly known as the Border Patrol, has exercised its option to terminate a contract it had with San Bernardino County for training at the Sheriff’s Emergency Vehicle Operations Center.
The Border Patrol entered into a contract with the county in May 2010 for the sheriff’s department to provide its Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC) in support of the Border Patrol’s training. Under the terms of the contract, the department provided use of its EVOC facilities in Devore, including the driving track, skid pan, classroom space, Offensive Driving Technique (ODT) vehicles, and support staff. The Border Patrol provided its own instructors, curriculum and vehicles for training (other than ODT vehicles).
The course instructed drivers on how to identify, avoid, and recover from various types of skids; the practice of defensive driving techniques; the use of vehicle dynamics for advantage in a pursuit situation, precision vehicle placement at slow and high speeds; safe driving techniques under adverse driving conditions; and the use and control of various types of  collisions in a law enforcement context. The contract was amended five previous times, most recently on June 5, 2012 to increase the contract amount by $1,356,018.44 and extend the term through June 8, 2013.
On September 27, 2012, the sheriff’s department was notified verbally that due to budget cuts, the Border Patrol was exercising its option to terminate the agreement. Amendment No. 6 to the contract approved by the board of supervisors last week was deemed acceptance of the written notice of termination, effective October 1, 2012.