Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, a Democrat, criticized police officers who assisted Border Patrol during a traffic stop.
Earlier this week, Border Patrol officers stopped a van and called for backup. Rochester Police Chief David Smith said the police officers assisting the agents acted against policy.
“The officers on the scene verbally directed the occupants to get out of the vehicle and this is against our policy,” Evans said. “Our policy is crystal clear, city police officers do not help or participate in federal immigration activities. I’ve instructed the Chief to make sure every RPD officer receives more training on general order 502 to make sure our members are aware and fully understand the policy,”
“What is also very concerning is that RPD officers went out of view of the supervisor who was on scene to initiate contact with occupants of the vehicle while Border Patrol stands by, when in reality, they [Border Patrol] should be initiating contact, and we should be there ensuring their safety,” Smith stated.
The Rochester Police union, called the Locust Club, issued a statement defending the police officers.
“RPD did not initiate this traffic stop, and had no information about the occupants whatsoever. The agents asked the officers to assist in having the occupants exit the vehicle, which ultimately the occupants did without resistance. The officers placed the occupants in handcuffs for officer safety without incident and left them with the HSI agents on scene,” the union said. “The officers on scene asked no questions of the occupants about their immigration status or relevant documents. No force was used.”
