PITTSBURGH, PA - Confusion amongst officers over how they should interact with ICE agents has led to the Pittsburgh Police Chief announcing a new policy.
The policy stems from an incident that happened near the police station in Allentown when ICE agents were struggling with a suspect, and Pittsburgh Police officers did not know whether to get involved or not, WPXI reported. Chief Jason Lando laid the new policy out in writing.
The written policy states that officers "...may intervene in an encounter involving federal immigration agents only when necessary to address an immediate threat to life, safety, or public order." Once a scene is under control, officers must back off.
The policy is similar to what Lando told the city council during his confirmation hearing earlier this year. "We have a legal and moral obligation to respond, assess the situation, and then get out of there as quickly as possible,” Lando said.
Before implementing the policy, Lando reportedly got input from the ACLU and various immigration advocacy groups like Casa San Jose.
When asked by WPXI if he was on board with the new policy, Casa San Jose Executive Director Monica Ruiz said, "Absolutely, I think the fact that we were able to talk through some of this with the chief of police really reflects his leadership."
Ruiz added, "The police should focus on their job and I think it’s very clear what they are trying to do." Ruiz agreed that the policy helps with public safety for everyone around.
City council member Deb Gross, who pushed legislation banning city employees from cooperating with ICE, also spoke about the policy.
"Once the situation is stable, our officers are to disengage. I feel like that’s what people want to see," Gross said.
Sources told WPXI that Lando reviewed the bodycam video from the ICE encounter outside of the police station in March and that no officers were disciplined for failing to intervene.
The policy stems from an incident that happened near the police station in Allentown when ICE agents were struggling with a suspect, and Pittsburgh Police officers did not know whether to get involved or not, WPXI reported. Chief Jason Lando laid the new policy out in writing.
The written policy states that officers "...may intervene in an encounter involving federal immigration agents only when necessary to address an immediate threat to life, safety, or public order." Once a scene is under control, officers must back off.
The policy is similar to what Lando told the city council during his confirmation hearing earlier this year. "We have a legal and moral obligation to respond, assess the situation, and then get out of there as quickly as possible,” Lando said.
Before implementing the policy, Lando reportedly got input from the ACLU and various immigration advocacy groups like Casa San Jose.
When asked by WPXI if he was on board with the new policy, Casa San Jose Executive Director Monica Ruiz said, "Absolutely, I think the fact that we were able to talk through some of this with the chief of police really reflects his leadership."
Ruiz added, "The police should focus on their job and I think it’s very clear what they are trying to do." Ruiz agreed that the policy helps with public safety for everyone around.
City council member Deb Gross, who pushed legislation banning city employees from cooperating with ICE, also spoke about the policy.
"Once the situation is stable, our officers are to disengage. I feel like that’s what people want to see," Gross said.
Sources told WPXI that Lando reviewed the bodycam video from the ICE encounter outside of the police station in March and that no officers were disciplined for failing to intervene.
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