Spokane Mayor David Condon issued the following statement today on Proposed Initiative No. 2015-1 on the City Council agenda for Monday, July 13, 2015.
“Spokane Police Division Policy 428 adopted on April 9, 2013 states that, ‘The immigration status of individuals alone is generally not a matter of police action. It is incumbent upon all employees of this department to make a personal commitment to equal enforcement of the law and equal service to the public regardless of immigration status.’
The policy goes on to state that, ‘The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has primary jurisdiction for enforcement…” and directs that, “Unless immigration status is relevant to another criminal offense or investigation (e.g., harboring, smuggling, terrorism), the fact that an individual is suspected of being an undocumented alien shall not be the sole basis for contact, detention or arrest.’
I fully support this policy and its continued practice by the Spokane Police Division, as well as the citizens’ right to follow the process as outlined by the Spokane Municipal Code to bring forward a local initiative for consideration by voters.”
Video of the Mayor’s statement can be found on the City’s YouTube page
