Police Department Administrative Policy regarding ICE detainers and Law Enforcement Now Codified in County Code
The Prince George’s County Council, on Tuesday, November 19, during the final session of Legislative Year 2019, and following a public hearing on the matter, voted unanimously to adopt Council Bill- 062-2019, also known as the Community Inclusiveness Act.
The Community Inclusiveness Act, proposed by District 2 Council Member Deni Taveras, codifies Prince George’s County’s administrative policy that County law enforcement agencies shall not honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers in non-criminal interactions, and mandates that all County agencies not engage in immigration enforcement. The Prince George’s County Police Department released this policy in July 2019, prohibiting officers from stopping, searching, arresting, or detaining a person based solely upon administrative immigration warrants.
Council Member Taveras says this measure enhances the relationship and trust between community and law enforcement. “This measure keeps us all safer. It provides added assurance that the County’s Police Department will not perform the work of ICE, and that all residents, regardless of immigration status, can report crimes and rely on police protection, without fear of deportation. Just as importantly, the passage of this bill sends a strong message to the immigrant community that it is alright to cooperate with government entities in light of the upcoming Census, ensuring that all our County residents feel comfortable being counted.”
The enactment of CB-062-2019, follows recent cases in which County residents were deported or faced deportation proceedings, after interaction with police involving traffic-related incidents.
The Community Inclusiveness Act is part of a public safety legislative package introduced by Council Member Taveras. The District 2 Council Member plans to propose a bill expanding the county police body-camera program for officers, and another measure addressing transparency in the police database targeting gangs, in Legislative Year 2020. “Together,” says Council Member Taveras, “these measures will help to ensure that all residents are treated equally, regardless of race or immigration status.”
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