EL PASO, Texas -- High-ranking officials gathered Monday at the University of Texas at El Paso to discuss ways to safeguard the border.

One concern in the El Paso community is corruption among U.S. law officials. It's a topic that came up at the Border Safety Conference. KFOX asked U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, what the government is doing to stop it.

"We do a full background check on individuals. Every chief, and I can say that because I was chief for over 12 years; every chief looks for these kinds of issues," said Reyes.

Reyes ensured that steps are taken to hire the right people. But an Associated Press investigation found a growing number of U.S. law officers who work the border are being charged with criminal corruption. Reyes said he recognizes that there's a problem.

"Because we're not infallible, corruption exists on both sides of the border . There's tremendous amounts of money that are out there relative to drugs and other contraband, they're significant and troublesome," said Reyes.

Based on Freedom of Information Act requests, court records and interviews with sentenced agents The AP acquired, the news organization tallied corruption-related convictions against more than 80 law enforcement officials at all levels.

"It's a huge challenge for both countries the U.S. and Mexico. There are no easy solutions, it's takes vigilance and checks on personnel. You're never going to eliminate it completely. We recognize that. We just have to be vigilant," said Reyes.

Border Czar Alan Bersin was one of the key speakers at the Border Safety Conference.

Bersin talked about the partnership created between the U.S and Mexico that's helping the war against drugs.

"For years, Mexico refused to take this kind of assistance from U.S. And the U.S was not willing to provide it," said Bersin.

Bersin said progress is being made through the Merida Initiative. The initiative offers money and help to Mexico in its fight against drug gangs. It complements U.S. efforts to reduce drug demand and stop the flow of weapons. Bersin said because of efforts like these, the violence in Juarez is not seen here in El Paso.

"We're still affected. We have family in Juarez. We don't go to Juarez. Is there a change it will ever go back to normal?" KFOX reporter Monica Balderrama asked Bersin.

"No question U.S and Mexico are cooperating. This is a very difficult period in Mexican history, but it's a very important period in which President Calderon has said that the corruption of Mexican society by drug trafficking organizations and alien smuggling organizations have got to stop," Bersin replied.

Bersin said the U.S. needs to be patient and ready to help as Mexico continues its fight.

"This is a generation-long process, it's not going to be over night. The importance is that we already started that process," said Bersin.

Bersin praised the Merida Initiative and says it needs to last and refunded once we see the results that the government is looking for on both sides of the border.

"The fact of the matter is that the people of El Paso should know that for all the violence in Juarez, this one of the safest cities because state and fed law enforcement," said Bersin.

The Border Conference will continue on Tuesday with discussions about integrating technology and connecting communities.