The United States' largest police union condemned reports that Chicago officers were told not to help ICE agents surrounded by protesters, calling it "shocking" and a violation of law enforcement’s duty to protect fellow officers in danger.
Presidents of the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Illinois State FOP expressed shock at reports that Chicago's chief of patrol directed officers not to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they were surrounded by protesters recently.
"Details are still emerging, but it appears that officers from the Chicago Police Department were ordered not to assist a group of ICE agents while they were physically threatened by what appeared to be an angry mob," said National FOP President Patrick Yoes in a press release. "Let me be clear, both the National FOP and the Illinois FOP believe that when an officer calls for assistance, you answer, no matter what."
Yoes and Illinois State FOP President Chris Southwood said the directive violated the most basic principle of law enforcement — officers helping other officers in danger.
They cited the Illinois Trust Act, which limits local police involvement in immigration enforcement, and said it is contributing to a breakdown between local and federal law enforcement, particularly in sanctuary cities like Chicago.
The FOP also cited Department of Homeland Security data showing ICE agents have faced a 1,000 percent increase in violence since the start of the year.
Southwood called the alleged order a dangerous precedent for all law enforcement officers.
"The number one unwritten rule in law enforcement is that we respond to any calls from officers in distress," Southwood said. "What would have happened if the local police were facing threats and nearby federal officers were told not to assist? Whether you agree about immigration enforcement or not, when a law enforcement officer is in trouble, nothing should stand in the way of fellow officers rendering assistance."
Yoes echoed Southwood, stressing that it is more important than ever for police officers to band together to protect their brothers and sisters who wear the badge.
"We at the National FOP, as well as our members at the Illinois FOP, condemn these actions and urge Chicago officials to ensure that any law enforcement officer needing assistance is guaranteed that their brothers and sisters in law enforcement respond expeditiously," Yoes said.