How does CBP handle conflicts of interest or personal biases in interviews?

• A. Ignore biases
• B. Hide bias and proceed
• C. Only discuss bias with traveler
• D. Follow ethics policies, recuse if needed, and involve a supervisor

Answer: (D)

Recognizing and properly managing conflicts of interest or personal biases in interviews is essential for fairness and integrity. The best approach is to follow ethics policies, step back when a bias or potential conflict could affect performance, and involve a supervisor to ensure the interview is conducted impartially.

This plan helps maintain impartial questioning and decision-making, protects traveler rights, and preserves public trust in the process. If a bias or conflict is present, disclosing it, recusing from the interview if necessary, and having a supervisor assign or approve a neutral interviewer keeps actions above reproach and documents the steps taken.

Ignoring biases, hiding biases and proceeding, or only discussing bias with the traveler don’t address the core issue. They can allow biased conduct to influence questions or conclusions and fail to provide the necessary oversight and accountability.