Springdale : City to change tactics to fight crime by aliens

BY GINNY LaROE

Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007


Springdale police officers training to enforce immigration laws as part of a federal program will work undercover — a shift in the city’s initial plan to inquire about immigration status only after suspects are in custody.

The Springdale Police Department is one of four Northwest Arkansas agencies awaiting approval for participation in the program, which gives local officers authority to investigate illegal aliens for federal prosecution and deportation. All four agencies sent officers to Boston this week to begin five weeks of training.

Springdale originally said it would use a “detention model,â€