Border Patrol Hosts Multiagency Tracking Class
Three-day training along the U.S.-Canada border brought together local, state, and Canadian law enforcement partners.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Immigration
U.S. Border Patrol hosted a multiagency tracking class along the U.S.-Canada border, combining classroom instruction, practical exercises and scenario-based training. Participating agencies included the Pembina and Grand Forks County Sheriff's Offices, the Grand Forks Police Department, the Kittson County Sheriff's Office, Canadian law enforcement partners and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
Why it matters
The training was described as vital along the northern border, where winter conditions can be life-threatening. Coordinated tracking skills across agencies on both sides of the border are intended to support search operations in those conditions.
The course lasted three days and combined classroom instruction, practical exercises and scenario-based training. Seven agencies took part, including sheriff's offices from Pembina, Grand Forks and Kittson counties, the Grand Forks Police Department, Canadian partners and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
The players
U.S. Border Patrol
The federal agency responsible for securing the nation's borders between official ports of entry, which hosted the training.
North Dakota Highway Patrol
The state law enforcement agency that patrols North Dakota's highways and participated in the multiagency class.
The details
Participants practiced writing sign descriptions, reading footprints and grass trails, and tracking individuals across varied terrain. The final day moved to scenarios at the Pembina Gorge, testing the skills in an outdoor setting.
Timeline
Recently held, prior to November 11, 2026
Winter conditions on the northern border are approaching, raising the importance of tracking skills for search operations
Political Context
The class extends the regional training model by pairing U.S. and Canadian partners in cold-weather tracking exercises along the northern border. It reflects a cross-border approach to border security and search operations rather than a single-agency response.
Residents near the U.S.-Canada border may see increased coordination among local sheriff's offices, city police and state patrol during search operations. The training focuses on operational tracking skills, not new rules for travelers or residents.
The takeaway
Coordinated training across agencies and national borders prepares responders for the hardest conditions of northern winters. Skills in reading tracks and terrain translate directly to faster, safer search efforts.
Further reading
For more on border security policy, see Immigration coverage for Grand Forks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by INFORUM.
