Tucson Border Patrol agents hope an alliance with the SSP will further prevent the influx of drugs, humans and weapons into the country by way of the Arizona-Mexico border. Still, many law enforcement agencies, such as the Tombstone Police Department, fear that an alliance with SSP will be tumultuous due to Mexico's allegedly corrupt government.

Tucson Border Patrol Deputy Chief Robert Boatright says the training of SSP officers marks an unprecedented level in communication and cooperation between law enforcement teams on both sides of the border.

Tucson Border Patrol agents are training Mexican SSP agents on the U.S. side of Nogales. Tucson is the first Border Patrol sector to begin training of Mexican agents, because its section of the border has the most illegal contraband coming through. In particular, 60 percent of drugs coming into the United States come through the Arizona border, said a representative from the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

"The training is taking place here because this is where the flow is," Boatright said.

­­"The largest amount of illegal activity takes place around Nogales. We're applying this here based on the threat that exists here."

The SSP agents are trained in firearm and medical tactics, and to use all-terrain vehicles.

Proponents of the alliance between Border Patrol and the SSP point to the numerous benefits of having enforcement teams working together on both sides of the border, singling out the reduction of assaults on agents in Nogales since the alliance was made in December.

"Assaults on agents in Nogales have decreased from an average of nine per week to three per week, with a 100 percent response from the SSP to any calls for assistance," said Boatright.

Cases of assault on border agents skyrocketed last year, which Border Patrol officials attribute to frustrations among drug cartels.

Violence against agents, of course, remains a constant threat.

"Law enforcement on both sides of the border is extremely vulnerable," Boatright said. "Fear of assault is taken as part of our creed."

Tucson Border Patrol Agent Mario Escalante says the alliance will benefit law enforcement teams on both sides of the border.

"Having this increased level in communication will always help all law enforcement teams looking to slow down illegal trafficking," Escalante said.
Some Arizona law enforcement officials voice concerns that the Mexican government is corrupt. They question the reliability of the SSP.

"I have no idea how much effect it will have," said Tombstone Police Marshal Larry Talvy. "Dealing with Mexican authorities, there are good parts and bad parts, and it's hard to measure the effectiveness knowing the corruption."

Talvy says the SSP needs to be monitored by Border Patrol officials in order to assure the SSP deserves their trust.

In a press conference Friday, Boatright assured people that Tucson Border Patrol has gone through a serious process to guarantee the SSP is a "trusted partner."

"We're in a new day in cooperation [with Mexican law enforcement]," Boatright said.

"We trust that new and good things are going to happen on both sides of the border."