LAPD Revises Policy Towards Illegal Immigrants

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LAPD Revises Policy Towards Illegal Immigrants
The Los Angeles Police Department is tightening its policy on handling illegal immigrants to allow officers to check the status of suspected felons.

If approved, the new rules would be a shift from a 1979 policy that prevents officers from inquiring about a person's immigration status to encourage illegal immigrants who had witnessed or been victims of crimes to cooperate with police without fear of deportation.

Assistant Police Chief George Gascon said the proposal would direct officers to report suspected felons in the United States illegally to their supervisors, who would then consult with immigration officials.

Officers would be able to arrest felons if it's determined they are illegal immigrants, Gascon said.

Several months ago, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department changed its policy and began checking the immigration status of foreign-born inmates and turning illegal immigrants over to federal authorities.

Still, LAPD officials said they encourage immigrants to come forward with information on crimes.

"We do not want people in fear of coming to us just because of their undocumented status," Gascon said. "(But) when crime is allowed to thrive in the community, everyone suffers."