ICE Activity Protocol Addressed In Montco

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Police Chief Patrick Molloy — who serves as president of the Montgomery County Chiefs of Police Association — has recently addressed how police departments will deal with any ICE activity if it comes to the region.

"I understand that there are questions and concerns regarding the role of our police department and local law enforcement in Montgomery County," Molloy said. "We previously issued a statement, in collaboration with our Board of Commissioners, outlining our role and position on these issues. I want to assure you of our commitment to our oath of office, professional policing, and, above all, public safety. I am extremely proud of the work our officers do every day and the relationship that has been established with our community We recognize that reasonable people hold different views on issues involving ICE, particularly in light of recent events in Minneapolis and other communities across the country."

The police chief issued a shared statement with the Police Chiefs Association and Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin A. Steele.

The police chief said that recent ICE operations across the country, in Pennsylvania, and locally, have prompted questions from concerned residents about Montgomery County law enforcement's collective role and responsibilities regarding ICE-related events.

This is what the statement outlined:

• First, all of Montgomery County law enforcement is dedicated to protecting our residents and visitors. We have taken an oath to support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth withoutconsideration to a person's race, color, sex, religious creed, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, handicap, or disability. And we plan to continue to honor our oath to all residents of Montgomery County.
• Second, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and police departments in Montgomery County do not enforce civil immigration orders; enforceable warrants must be signed by a judge. In fact, none of the police departments in Montgomery County have signed a Section 287(g) Agreementwith Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Third, our protocol during any fatal shooting or a use of force event is for local lawenforcement and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau to immediately respond to the scene. Detectives and officers work to neutralize any safety threat, provide first aid to the injured, and secure the crime scene. Detectives from the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and local law enforcement will launch an investigation to determine if any Pennsylvania laws were violated and by whom. It does not matter whether the incident under investigation involves local, state, or federal law enforcement. There will be a complete and independent review by an expert team of detectives and prosecutors.
• Fourth, the rule of law applies equally to everyone. No one is above the law.
• Finally, we are devoted to ensuring that residents are able to exercise their constitutional right to peacefully assemble and protest in order to make their voices heard. It also means that we will hold people accountable for interfering with law enforcement, and we will keep families, businesses, and property safe during times of unrest.

"The entire Montgomery County law enforcement community and its leaders are united in our mission and dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that Montgomery County remains a safe place to live, work, and enjoy life," Molly said.