Mesa police: Force better trained after new immigration policy

26 commentsby Nathan Gonzalez - Jan. 22, 2009 03:40 PM
The Arizona Republic

Three weeks after a new immigration policy went into effect, Mesa police says its officers are better trained to handle, report and detain suspected illegal immigrants.

Last fall, department officials completed revisions to its Immigration and Customs Enforcement Protocol, Assistant Chief Mike Denney said. The protocol went into effect Jan. 1 and outlines when an officer can and will ask a suspect's immigration status and report them to ICE authroties.

"I know it's an emotional issue," Denney said.
Last year, the issue of illegal immigration sparked heavy debate as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office conducted a series of raids where they rounded up undocumented immigrants from across the Valley.

"There are times we would be asking questions" of suspected illegal immigrants, Denney said. "There is a vehicle through this protocol to do that."

The updated protocol provides officers a clearer set of guidelines on how to handle illegal immigrants and when to report them federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities, said Sgt. Fabian Cota, president of the Mesa Police Association.

"Now officers don't have to guess what to do," Cota said. The old protocol was overly vague and left officers open to accusations of racial profiling.

"I think it will show that based on what our current resources are, we are doing what we can to eliminate criminal aliens from our city," he added.

The seven-page protocol outlines instances when an officer can ask a person's immigrant status.

Officers now ask the status of all suspects arrested and booked into jail. Those suspected in a criminal investigation will also be asked.

Under the new policy, officers are not directed to ask the immigration status of those involved in a civil incident, such as traffic violations.

Officers will also not ask for information from crime victims, witnesses, those seeking medical attention, victims of domestic violence and juveniles, unless it's likely they will face adult charges. Law-abiding community volunteers who are part of neighborhood watches, forums, advisory boards, and youth programs will also not be asked.

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