PSPD discusses ICE protests: Balancing rights and safety

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - Anti-ICE protests continue across Southern California, protests that at times have turned violent.

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills says when the situation escalates, that's when local law enforcement comes in.

“If somebody calls for emergency help, other law enforcement or the community, we are going to respond in order to do our job to make sure that people are safe. What we won’t do, again, is do any kind of immigration enforcement.”

Chief Andy Mills, PSPD

Mills says there are policies in place that prohibit local law enforcement from engaging in immigration enforcement.

Local police cannot stop federal agents like ICE, who operate independently and has full authority.

“We don’t have the ability to push back on that at all… ICE has the absolute authority to enforce immigration throughout the U.S. They have special duties within 100 miles from the border, that they have special privileges… Do it justly, do it professionally, and do it in a way that doesn’t inflame the situation to get worse, and I think that what adult responsible police leadership looks like.”

Chief Andy Mills, PSPD

He says violent actions will only justify a stronger crackdown.

As protests are expected to continue, both police and organizers urge everyone to partake peacefully.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.