A Gettysburg Borough Councilwoman wants the governing body to discuss how its police department responds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions.
During their monthly meeting on Monday, Councilwoman Patricia Lawson asked Police Chief Robert Glenny how his department would respond if ICE came into the community. Glenny said the department would play a supporting role, such as providing traffic direction, as they would with any federal agency.
“It’s not within my purview to allow someone to break the law,” Glenny said.
Lawson also asked Glenny if the department had a legal obligation to assist ICE. Glenny confirmed the department will not serve ICE warrants, but it will protect the community from incidents such as pursuits, fights, and gunfire.
“We have a legal obligation to provide for safety, and we would provide that safety,” the chief responded.
Lawson encouraged the council to examine Gettysburg Police Department Policy 414, which covers Immigration Violations. Moon agreed and said the issue will likely be discussed at an upcoming council workshop.
“They are our neighbors and, in some cases, colleagues,” Lawson said.
Councilman Chris Berger questioned whether such a policy review would prevent local police from arresting someone accused of a serious crime such as rape or murder if their immigration status was in question. Moon confirmed that such crimes are criminal acts and the local police have a duty to enforce them.
Immigration Violations Policy
The policy states:
- All individuals, regardless of their immigration status, should feel comfortable reporting crimes and cooperating in the investigation of criminal activity. Such contact, the policy states, will not automatically lead to immigration inquiry and/or deportation.
“While it may be necessary to determine the identity of a victim or witness, members shall treat all individuals equally and not in any way that would violate the United States or Pennsylvania constitutions,” the policy states. - An officer shall not detain any individual for any unreasonable length of time while determining if the individual’s immigration violation or warrant is civil rather than criminal.
- An officer should not notify federal immigration officials when booking arrestees at a jail facility.
- Requests by federal immigration officials for assistance should be directed to a supervisor. The department may provide available support services, such as traffic control or peacekeeping efforts.
- No member of the department will prohibit any other member from sending information to, or requesting or receiving such information from federal immigration officials, maintaining such information in department records, and exchanging such information with any other federal, state, or local government entity.
Identifying Law Enforcement
Glenny said his department is struggling to investigate an alleged incident regarding an individual acting as a law enforcement agent because the supposed victim will not cooperate.
The department previously reported that on Feb. 1 at approximately 8 p.m., a Gettysburg College student was stopped near West Stevens and Mummasburg streets by an individual in a dark-colored SUV.
The suspect, described as a white male wearing dark clothing, asked the student for their “papers.” The student gave the suspect their operator’s license. The suspect questioned the validity of the document, and the student provided additional identifying documents.
The suspect then questioned the student about their destination and where they were coming from and told the student it was not safe to walk alone. The suspect then returned the student’s documents and departed the area.
Glenny said anyone who is stopped by a supposed police officer should first ask for their name and badge number. If they are still in doubt, call 9-1-1 to verify their identity. Glenny also advises citizens to look at the person’s vehicle to see if it is an equipped police car with a laptop and emergency lights.
Department Honored
Glenny shared that the Employer Support for Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense office, awarded the Sgt. Christopher Evans with its Patriot Award. Officer Tony Harris, a member of the US Air Force National Guard, nominated Evans in appreciation for his support for his service.
“Officer Harris had some kind words to say and was very complimentary of the department and Sgt. Evans for the support of him and his efforts in defending our nation,” Glenny said. “It’s quite an honor.”
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.
I know what I’ll do if ICE officers come to town. Anyone who is frightened and needs shelter is welcome at my house.
Great story, Alex. Important.
Thank you, Councilwoman Patti for speaking up and reminding all of us that among the frightened living among us are, in fact, our neighbors and colleagues, who also happen to be hard-working, honorable people who have raised wonderful children (some even with scholarships) who will continue to be contributing factors to our community. Let’s look at the big picture!
It sounds like our police department is trying to do it’s appointed job to keep our community safe, and protected; however outside influences try to impose or infiltrate our well maintained safe and [mostly] crime free environment! We are in difficult social and political times, and I hope we can maintain who we are as a diverse, socially complex community that thrives and survives harmoniously, accepting the richness of our multi-faceted, culturally bountiful community.