Norwalk Mayor, Police Respond To ACLU Report

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik have released a joint statement in response to a report released Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union.

According to the Connecticut Post, the report accuses eight Connecticut law enforcement agencies, among many others across the country, of assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by providing the locations of residents as part of a mass-surveillance program.

Other Connecticut police departments named in the report include Westport, Fairfield, Trumbull and Stratford, the Connecticut Post reported. (To sign up for Norwalk breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Here is the full joint statement from Rilling and Kulhawik:

“A recent report by the ACLU implies the City of Norwalk and Norwalk Police Department have an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement – that is not true. We do not report anyone’s immigration status. On its face, it appears data from a cloud-based law enforcement database used by NPD was used by ICE to obtain information on specific individuals. That is not the intent of this database, as it is meant to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations.

“We want to be clear: Norwalk welcomes all people. We proudly stand with immigrants and residents of all backgrounds and beliefs. Our diversity is one of the greatest strengths of our community. It is the express policy of the Norwalk Police Department to refrain from cooperating or assisting with federal immigration actions.

“We are proud of the work we have done as a City and Department to build trust and strengthen relationships across different communities. The Norwalk Police Department will continue to protect and serve the residents of Norwalk.

“The City and Norwalk Police Department are investigating these allegations and will take appropriate actions to remedy the situation.”

You can read the full Connecticut Post story here.