Seventy-seven percent of Phoenix police officers support policy change
The daily paper gives the headline to the Valley police chiefs who say that enforcing immigration laws is not their duty.
But on the same day the police chiefs held a press conference against extra immigration duties, the labor union that represents Phoenix police officers publicly asked for easier access to federal immigration agents.
The officers have expressed frustration over having their hands tied by current city policies and being hampered in fulfilling their duties.
“We’re not asking to become immigration officers,” said Mark Spencer president of the 2,200-member Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. But, he said,” it should be easier for police to handle immigration matters.”
Spencer, called on leaders to change the city’s operations policy, giving officers easier access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Existing policies have made Phoenix known as a Sanctuary City for illegal aliens.
Currently, ICE is to be contacted only when suspected illegal immigrants are encountered in drop-houses or smuggling vehicles, although ICE is automatically contacted when illegal immigrants are jailed.
Spencer, who heads the officer’s union, said that after hearing from “numerous” officers, he decided to pose the question in the union’s annual survey regarding whether members thought their current operations order improves the quality of life in Phoenix. Spencer said seventy-seven percent disagreed.
He said the union now wants city leaders to allow officers to contact ICE directly to interpret or otherwise assist.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office is the only law-enforcement agency that enforces immigration law. About 160 of Arpaio’s deputies and detention officers have been trained by ICE to enforce immigration law.
County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Arpaio, who have worked together on illegal issues, have said they would support a citizen’s initiative to assist law enforcement.
October 9, 2007 at 9:52 pm
It’s the rank and file officers who put their lives on the line, not the chiefs. This isn’t a racial issue. It’s an issue of lawlessness., Something must be done to stem this flow of illegals into this country. The cops need assistance from the chiefs, the mayor and the city council, who all seem to be fine and dandy with business as usual.
October 10, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Couldn’t find a place to e-mail this, but I just got done doing a post on my blog about the Suad Leija and the counterfeit document business. She and her husband are putting out a pretty scary book about it.
http://fraudwar.blogspot.com/2007/10/operation-paper-tiger-true-story-which.html
October 15, 2007 at 2:35 pm
[...] can’t credit the Sanctuary City policies of Mayor Phil Gordon or Gordon’s acquiescing Police Chief, Jack Harris. Small wonder the rank-and-file officers want easier access to federal immigration officials, [...]
October 16, 2007 at 11:42 am
Dear Fellow Americans, Our Police:
I too have been shot at on our streets in Phoenix and believe me that if they will shoot at you “our protectors of freedom and peace,” they will shoot at anyone!
Remember the 9-11 terrorrists had been picked up on something like 80 traffic tickets and they were also here illegally!
Somebody has to start somewhere and I think that you all need to go on strike until our civic leaders learn who is boss. We the people do not want you, the police, being targets of these criminals.
Appreciate all you do
Bruce
May 1, 2008 at 12:43 pm
[...] been a good year for Phil Gordon. He has had personal issues dogging him, his Phoenix Police union publicly expressing discontent with his hand-tying policies and Sheriff Joe Arpaio nipping at his heels. His poll numbers are [...]
June 26, 2008 at 2:11 pm
[...] in police uniforms willing to ambush police officers. I think that’s bad enough,” said Mark Spencer, President of the Phoenix Police Enforcement [...]