Office of Law Enforcement




Law Enforcement Work

The basic element of the Coast Guard's Operational Law enforcement effort is the boarding team. This team is made up of members of a station's or cutter's crew that is specially trained and qualified to conduct boardings of vessels at sea.

The boarding team is led by a Boarding Officer (BO). A BO is the individual in charge of the team with law enforcement
authority. Some teams may also have an Assistant Boarding Officer (ABO). The remaining members of the team is made up of
Boarding Team Members (BTM). All Coast Guard boarding teams are armed, uniformed, federal law enforcement officers. The
assignment of BO's, ABO's and BTM's are based on competence, experience, and ability. It is possible to have an ABO or BTM
who out ranks the BO, but during the course of the boarding will be subordinate to them. The boarding process is described
here.

Units that routinely conduct law enforcement (Stations, White Hulled Cutters) each have boarding teams, composed of
members of their crew. When a crew member has met the qualifications and completed the training, they can join the unit's
boarding team. Boarding teams can be made up of various combinations of personnel: Deck Watch Officers, mechanics, cooks, etc.
When the boarding team is not conducting a law enforcement boarding (or patrol for station boats), they return to their normal
duties at the unit.

The Coast Guard does have Tactical Law Enforcement Teams
who job is to conduct boardings while embarked on U. S. Navy Ships. These teams are made up of Coast Guard personnel with
Coast Guard Boarding team experience.
Boarding Team Qualifications

Boarding Teams and Boarding Officer positions are usually open to Officers and Petty Officers at units that conduct law
enforcement. Nonrated personnel (E-3 and below) may also participate in boardings as boat crew or security. Selection to the
team is not guaranteed, but based