Earlier this year, the International Association of Chiefs of Police convened a meeting with members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors to discuss the effects of immigration enforcement actions on public safety, and to devise strategies to improve public safety overall. Also lending their perspectives were leaders from 14 other organizations, including:
- Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
- Major City Chiefs Association (MCCA)
- Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA)
- National District Attorneys Association (NDAA)
- Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association (SRLEEA)
- Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
- Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)
The attendees all acknowledged that immigration enforcement carries out a federal responsibility within national security operations. However, there was also a consensus that intergovernmental partnerships need to develop clear communication, coordination and shared expectations to better deliver public safety, build trust within communities and improve officer safety while promoting constitutional policing.
The group concluded the meeting with 12 principles and statements of agreement on the relationship between law enforcement and local leaders, including:
- Recognizing the public safety benefit, value and legitimacy of properly coordinated federal immigration enforcement operations
- Refocusing operational relationships and expectations, where needed
- Preventing the risk of inadvertent and potentially dangerous conflict between law enforcement officials from differing agencies and enhancing community safety through clear incident leadership and interoperable communications
- Prioritizing the apprehension of violent and other serious offenders and national security threats while minimizing collateral impacts
- Treating community trust and human rights as operational requirements
- Committing to cross‑training, supervision and transparent processes for investigating allegations of misconduct and/or law enforcement-involved critical incidents
- Communicating consistently to reduce polarization and confusion
Additionally, participants agreed the 12 principles create a foundation on which future collaborations and consensus can be built.
“This is not a one-time adjustment but an ongoing commitment to restore reliable operational communication; clarify and respect roles, authorities and limitations; and ensure that enforcement tactics align with constitutional policing and community trust,” the group noted in a public announcement.
