Kirkland Police Reaffirms Stance On Immigration Status

KIRKLAND, WA - In line with other area departments, Kirkland Police on Monday reaffirmed that it will not get involved with immigration enforcement.

The department's statement comes after residents asked for clarification after Belleuve Police Chief Steve Mylett told the Seattle Times that his department will not use its resources to apprehend illegal immigrants.

“Kirkland has had a long standing policy never to ask for immigration papers,” Chief Cherie Harris said in a statement released Monday. “We want people to know that our job is to protect and serve the entire community and no resident should fear reporting any crime or intimidation, regardless of their immigration status. Our mission has not changed and will not change. We want everyone to feel safe and if they don’t, we want to know about it.”

Harris echoed Mylett in her statement - he also said that he doesn't want anyone to be afraid to report crimes to the police. Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole also recently reaffirmed her department's policy to leave immigration enforcement to federal authorities.

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