ICE Targets Off-Duty Twin Cities Officers for Citizenship Proof, Chief Reveals
Concerns are rising among law enforcement officials in the Twin Cities regarding recent actions taken by federal agents targeting off-duty police officers. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley revealed that these officers were approached for proof of U.S. citizenship. Bruley, along with several other police leaders, held a press conference to address these alarming incidents.
Operation Metro Surge and Its Impact
Chief Bruley highlighted that the federal initiative known as Operation Metro Surge has led to numerous civil rights violations within the community. He stated that in the past two weeks, his department has received numerous complaints regarding these encounters.
Experiences of Targeted Officers
Bruley recounted an incident involving one of his officers. The officer, while off duty, was confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as she drove down the road. The agents reportedly “boxed her in” and demanded to see her identification.
- The officer did not carry her paperwork, as she is a U.S. citizen.
- When she attempted to document the encounter, her phone was knocked from her hands.
- Once she identified herself as a Brooklyn Park officer, the incident ended.
Bruley expressed that such incidents are not isolated. He indicated that many chief officers in attendance had similar stories of off-duty personnel being targeted.
Civil Rights Concerns
Law enforcement leaders underscored their commitment to lawful immigration enforcement. However, they believe that these enforcement tactics infringe on civil rights and jeopardize community trust. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt noted that the trust between the police and the communities they serve is fragile and is currently at risk due to the actions of certain federal agents.
Call for Accountability
Bruley, along with Sheriff Witt and St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry, called for greater accountability and oversight of the approximately 3,000 federal agents deployed in the Twin Cities region. They raised concerns about the training and vetting processes for these agents, questioning if the standards have diminished.
In response to these events, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino acknowledged the incidents but did not provide specific answers, stating that agencies would continue their legal Title 8 mission. The Department of Homeland Security has also been approached for comments regarding the situation.
As this situation develops, community leaders and law enforcement officials continue to grapple with the implications of federal actions on civil rights and public safety in the Twin Cities.
