Letter to the editor: U.S. election won’t change way Edmonds police do business

Editor:

Since the outcome of the recent presidential election, I have been asked on more than one occasion whether we – the Edmonds Police Department – would be changing our policies or practices regarding identifying undocumented aliens or participating in the detention or arrest of persons or groups of persons due to immigration status. These questions have been asked by individuals and groups concerned about their well-being, safety and security as it relates to potential actions by the government, particularly at the federal level.

We will continue to enforce the law firmly and fairly with respect for the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Constitution of the State of Washington. We do not engage in targeting of persons or groups based on ethnicity, national origin, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status.

If we have legal cause to believe that a person is involved in criminal activity, we will act. However, enforcement of federal immigration law is to be left to federal authorities. We can only be successful as guardians of our community if we have a relationship that garners mutual trust and respect. That is what we set out to do each day. The Edmonds Police Department is not going to change the way we do business because of the outcome of an election.

Al Compaan
Chief of Police
City of Edmonds

  1. Chief Compaan and the entire Edmonds Police Department state these values and practice them on a daily basis. They are very dedicated to doing so.

  2. Thank you Al, this was a question that was raised at our last Diversity Commission meeting. Thank you for confirming to our concerned citizens that the Edmonds Police Department does not and will not target people of certain ethnicities, national origin, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status. One of the many reasons I appreciate what you and the police department do for our community.

    Ed Dorame
    Vice Chair of the Diversity Commission

  3. Good news! I was worried about my lutefisk and lefse’ being impounded! . . . Well, the lefse’ anyhow.

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