On Friday, MPD was made aware of an ICE initiative that resulted in at least six arrests. As I know that this is a source of great fear and trepidation for many in our community, I wanted to remind constituents of MPD's stance. MPD is a department committed to the values of "access" and "inclusivity." As there is no articulated federal policy on immigration, as a local police department we choose to acknowledge the contributions of everyone in our community and are committed to providing services to all. If people are afraid to report crimes due to fears of deportation, then we will never know the extent to which our City is truly "safe." I have excerpts from our Code of Conduct as well as our Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) which follow:
8. Enforcement of Immigration Laws
In order to be true to our mission statement and to the precepts of community policing, it is
imperative that MPD reflect and implement policies and procedures which place a particular
emphasis on access to services which are inclusive to all constituents. Thus, an individual's right
to file a report, participate in community activities or otherwise request police services should
not be dependent upon their immigration status.
With respect then, to issues of immigration, enforcement of the nation's immigration laws rests
primarily with the federal government. To this end, MPD will not self-initiate contact, detain,
arrest, or investigate any person(s) solely for a suspected violation of immigration status laws.
MPD cooperation with requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are
predicated upon assisting only with those operations in which serious crimes directly relating to
public safety are involved (see listed parameters under SOP: Enforcement of Immigration Laws).
MPD will not participate in coordinated operations or raids where the chief objective is to arrest
individuals who are suspected to be in violation of immigration laws.
City of Madison Police Department Standard Operating Procedure
Enforcement of Immigration Laws
Eff. Date 10/09/2017
Purpose
MPD is committed to community policing. Therefore, it is imperative that all our constituents come to expect that MPD will provide access to anyone seeking our services. An individual's immigration status is immaterial with respect to MPD's mission statement, core values, and operational systems. Immigration status is only relevant when an individual has committed serious crimes directly related to public safety (as outlined below).
Procedure
The enforcement of immigration law is primarily the responsibility of the federal government, through the United States Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agency ("ICE"). Accordingly, MPD will not undertake any immigration-related investigation unless said operation involves an individual who has committed serious crimes directly related to public safety (as outlined below). Section 287(g) agreements under 8 U.S.C. § 1357 are voluntary agreements which require local consent. MPD will refrain from entering into these agreements as they are not consistent with furthering MPD's policing philosophy.
Officers shall not detain or arrest an individual solely for a suspected violation of immigration law. MPD will only cooperate with a lawful request of ICE under the following circumstances:
1. The individual is engaged in or is suspected of terrorism or espionage; or
2. The individual is reasonably suspected of participating in a criminal street gang; or
3. The individual is arrested for any violent felony; or
4. The individual is a previously deported felon.
When time and circumstances permit, an officer should obtain approval from a commander or OIC prior to detaining any individual for the above-outlined reasons. Any notification or contact with ICE for the purposes of detaining or apprehending individuals should only be made with the approval of a Commanding Officer and only after contacting the Assistant Chief of Operations or Investigative Services.
An individual's right to file a police report or otherwise receive services from MPD is not contingent upon their citizenship or immigration status. MPD officers shall strive to treat all individuals equally and fairly regardless of their immigration status. Therefore, officers shall not routinely inquire into the immigration status of persons encountered during police operations.
Officers shall not ask any individual to produce a passport, Alien Registration Card (Green Card) or any other immigration documentation in the normal course of business. This does not prohibit an officer from considering these documents as appropriate forms of identification when voluntarily provided by the individual.
Original SOP: 01/30/2017
(Revised: 10/09/2017) (Reviewed Only: 12/26/2017)
The information contained in my blog is derived from notes provided by MPD Officers-In-Charge (OIC) at the end of their shifts. Most narratives represent early and preliminary information that was gathered by an OIC from those in the field who were actively working cases. The OIC is sharing what they were being told, in the moment. In many instances, facts and circumstances, even the type of crime listed, can change as officers, detectives and investigators continue their work.
From 6:00 a.m. on 09/21/2018 through 6:00 a.m. on 09/22/2018, MPD received 552 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. For purposes of clarification, the following abbreviations are short-hand for race designations: W=White, AA=African American, NA=Native American, H=Hispanic, ME=Middle Eastern, A=Asian, MR=Mixed Race, U=Unknown. MPD shifts are staggered as follows: 1st detail=7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2nd detail=12 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3rd detail=3 p.m. to 11 p.m., 4th detail=8 p.m. to 4 a.m., 5th detail=11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
To further break down the 552 calls for service for the past 24-hours this is how the calls came in per district: Central (96), East (103), Midtown (92), North (89), South (32), West (86), and Other (54). Other=these are calls for service that either do not have a sector listed or the sector is not in the City. For example, if one of our officers assists another law enforcement agency, their sector is not listed in our districts so therefore it is listed under "other."
1) EAST: Crash/Intoxicated Driver – 6:43 a.m. Officers responded to E. Washington Ave/Thierer Rd for a crash. The driver/suspect (48-year-old AAF) t-boned a vehicle in the intersection. The suspect believed she had a green light, which she did not. The suspect was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (6th offense). The suspect was also cited for operating after revocation and a red signal violation. A probation hold was also placed for the suspect. No injuries were sustained during the crash. Investigation continuing.
2) NORTH: Disturbance – 7:02 a.m. Officers responded to Troy Dr for a disturbance between multiple subjects (20-year-old WF victim; one known suspect - 49-year-old AAM; and one unknown suspect - AAM). The unidentified suspect damaged the residence. The 49-year-old AAM suspect grabbed the victim by the neck, pushed her against a wall and threw her to the ground. The victim was conveyed to a local hospital for an evaluation. The suspects fled and are at-large. Once located, the 49-year-old AAM suspect will be charged with strangulation, disorderly conduct and a probation/parole warrant. The other suspect will be charged with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct, once identified and located. Investigation continuing.
3) MIDTOWN: Child Abuse - 9:55 am. CPS (Child Protective Services) called officers to UW Children's Hospital to assist with an interview. The family doctor for a one year old white male child determined that the child had suspicious injuries on his neck. Investigation continuing.
4) EAST: Missing Adult - 12:40 pm. An ATL was aired for a 38 year old AAF who left home without advising her caretaker. She was listed as missing/endangered in appropriate databases. Investigation continuing.
5) EAST: Strong Armed Robbery – 12:54 p.m. Officers responded to the Associated Bank on Cottage Grove Rd for a report of an armed robbery. The suspect fled without obtaining any cash. A vehicle description was provided and the vehicle was located by an MPD Detective. While surveilling the getaway vehicle, the vehicle crashed of its own accord and the driver/suspect (47 year old WM) was arrested and taken to the Dane County Jail on a P&P (probation and parole) hold. Investigation continuing. Incident release posted.
6) WEST: Disturbance - 4:26 pm. Officers were called to a report of a disturbance on Valley View Rd involving a 17 year old WM and a 45 year old WF. The scene was stabilized and no one wished to pursue formal charges.
7) WEST: Child Neglect - 4:37 pm. Officers responded to Raymond Rd for a father (27 year old WM) reporting that he returned home to find his 18 month old son home alone. Officers made phone contact with the mother (24 year old WF) who told officers she had left the state. Probable cause was developed for child neglect. CPS was notified.
8) WEST: Weapons Offense - 5:39 pm. A witness observed the suspect (16 year old AAM) handling a machete and what appeared to be a firearm in the parking lot of West Towne Mall. Officers responded and detained the suspect who was cited for unlawful use of a facsimile firearm.
9) NORTH: Armed Robbery/Burglary - 11:32 pm. Officers were dispatched to Schlimgen Ave for a report of an armed burglary. A 74 year old WF had fallen asleep in her living room when she awoke to two men standing inside her residence, one of whom appeared to be armed with a wooden dowel or stick. The men fled with cash and other portable items. A K9 track was completed but the suspects were not located. Investigation continuing. Incident release posted.
10) NORTH: Domestic Disturbance - 12:37 am. Officers were dispatched to a report of a domestic disturbance on Roth St. The victim (20 year old AAF) and the suspect (25 year old AAM) had engaged in an argument, during which the suspect took the phone of one of the victim's friends. The suspect was arrested for domestic disorderly conduct.
11) MIDTOWN: Missing Juvenile - 2:15 am. A concerned citizen called police to report her friend as a runaway. The missing subject is a 17 year old WF. An ATL was aired and appropriate database entries were made.