‘They’re just doing their job?’: Curley questions new policy requiring SPD to document ICE encounters

Seattle Police officers are now required to document encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, including recording video and collecting identities. Officers who fail to follow the policy could face disciplinary action, including administrative leave.

“Are they supposed to get the names of the agents, even if they’re just doing what they’re legally allowed to do?” Curley asked on “The John Curley Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “It’s vague on this one. The federal law says they can go there and get somebody, so the cops are supposed to show up and videotape them even when they’re just doing their job?”

The directive is part of an executive order from the mayor’s office, which demands that Seattle Police officers record video and collect identifying information any time they encounter ICE agents. Curley claimed the policy leaves officers stuck enforcing a rule that makes little operational sense.

New policy requires Seattle officers to document ICE encounters

Curley also pointed to the policy’s disciplinary options as a major flaw. He warned that such measures could further hurt morale and recruitment in a department already strained by staffing shortages and public criticism.

“They’re trying to do something to get more people to become police officers, but this is not going to do it,” Curley said, predicting the policy may backfire by making patrol work even more difficult.

The Seattle Police Department has said officers will follow both the new directive and existing city rules that prohibit participation in civil immigration enforcement.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

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