LAPD's Beck joins other chiefs to say Arizona immigration law could cripple law enforcement

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck joined other law enforcement leaders in Washington on Wednesday to slam Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigration, saying it could cripple police work and drive a wedge between officers and the communities they are trying to protect.

Beck has emerged as a leading critic of a new law that will make it a state crime to be in Arizona illegally and will require police to check suspects for immigration paperwork. In a conference call with journalists after he and other police officials met with U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder, Beck said “legislation like this inhibits us from doing our jobs” and will dissuade immigrants from coming forward as victims and witnesses.

“The fear of the police already inhibits immigrants from coming forward to a certain extent,” he said. “But if you add this piece you increase the reluctance tenfold.”

“People should remember that undocumented immigrants are witnesses in all kinds of crime and this does not just affect them,” Beck said. “If people don’t come forward to help the police solve and protect crime, no matter what their status, then we are doomed to failure. It threatens to destroy a lot of the work that has been done.”

Beck said that his officers are guided by a different set of rules than the ones laid out in the Arizona law. For more than three decades the LAPD has followed a policy that prohibits officers from initiating contact with someone solely to determine whether he or she is in the country legally.

Beck and police chiefs from other cities, including Phoenix, Tucson, Philadelphia and Houston, told Holder they hoped for a federal solution to the immigration problem.

“The primary job of a local police department is not the enforcement of immigration status,” Beck said. “The primary job of law enforcement is to protect the public and keep us free from crime.”

During the hourlong meeting, Holder told the officials that a federal challenge to Arizona’s law may be imminent, according to participants.

“He did say that the Justice Department is seriously considering action and that it could be done soon,” said Chuck Wexler, the director of the Police Executive Research Forum.

Holder has previously expressed dismay over Arizona’s new legislation, calling it “an unfortunate one.... It is, I fear, subject to potential abuse," Holder said.

Justice officials have said that they may challenge the law on two grounds – for subjecting people to racial profiling and for usurping the federal government's power to enforce immigration law.

-- Kate Linthicum

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Ron]

The lack of support for the state of Arizona is at a minimum disgusting and un-American. The simple reality is that the residents of Arizona have been victimized by the federal governments’ failure/refusal to meet its obligations and protect the citizens of this country. Now it seems that we have countless numbers of political pinheads who are only concerned about getting the votes they need to stay in office. What seems worse is that the current administration is filled with agenda driven idiots who condemn the Arizona law and they have not even read it. For example, Eric Holder admitted to not having read it or even been briefed on it, after he stated it was illegal and he was going to seek legal action against it, he should be FIRED! Now we have a Chief of Police speaking out against a law in another state, this is grossly irresponsible and reckless. This simply validates the belief that he was selected to the position because he was the best choice for a political puppet and he has just proven he will jump through whatever political hoop he is told to. Can you say political corruption?

[Pauline]

And just why should the WH be more concerned about Beck's opinion or any others who have bowed to their cities' "sanctuary city" status, (either officially sanctuary or just by not enforcing law?)??

The article suggests that people are going to be stopped to prove immigration status. This sounds like a rehash from Napolitano and Holder, neither of whom read the bill.

AZ needs more support for promotion of enforcing the illegal immigration laws, i.e. protect Americans first; arrest, deport illegals second.

[RHD]

Here we go again, another Chief that wants his name in the press; one would think that Chief Beck would have learned a lesson or two from Bratton. Then again maybe he did, maybe he is already looking for that politician job down the road.

Chief Beck we the people of Los Angeles are tired of illegal’s, paying for services they do not deserve and then again maybe you employee several for around the house.

Get a clue, your job is to enforce the law even if you do not like it.

[John]

Beck sure knows how to please his master, doesn't he? I bet Tony Villar gave him a nice pat on the head for this statement while saying, "Good boy, Charlie! That's a very good boy!"

[AuntieGeneva]

Chief Beck, as well as the other police chiefs that went to Washington to meet with Eric Holder all belong to the Progressive Police Chiefs. They are all also members of Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

PERF is a national organization of progressive police executives from the largest city, county and state law enforcement agencies. PERF defines racially biased policing as “inappropriate consideration by law enforcement of race / ethnicity in deciding with whom and how to interview in an enforcement capacity.” PERF works with a diverse group of law enforcement officials, community activists, civil rights leaders and academics to set their standards and policies. These include the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, ACLU of Maryland, International Union of Police Associations, Union Baptist Church, and numerous law enforcement executives, partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program. Check out the link below for more info.

http://bigjournalism.com/jdunetz/2010/05/27/what-the-msm-didnt-tell-you-about-holder-and-the-police-chiefs/

[TAM]

Holder, needs to enforce the immigrations' laws, and stop getting PR. Beck, is just a puppet of the Pint Size Mayor, and wants to keep his job. Come November we will elect people that will enforce the law. I hope everyone signs the RECALL of our Pint Size Mayor. Obama, is just another one term president.

[impoundguy, Los Angeles, Ca.]

new law& that will make it a state crime to be in Arizona illegally and will require police to check suspects for immigration paperwork.

It should be illegal to be in any state illegally, not just Arizona....the only ones who we have to worry about not co-operating are the illegals. How many legal residence also refuse to co-operate....plenty.

[True American]

Police Chief Beck is absolutly right!
Obviously the supporters of the bill are not Latino and are not familiar with what Sheriff Arpaio and his masked goons are doing in Maricopa County. Arpaio routinely racially profiles via his Suppression Sweeps (Lawful Contact) in Latino neighborhoods. Arpaio has employed Kris Kobach who wrote sb1070. Kobach is a member of FAIR. ADL says FAIR is a Hate Group established by John Tanton, a well known White Nationalist. Arpaio is currently under investigation by the FBI for racial profiling. Mayor Gordon and other AZ sheriffs wrote the DOJ and asked for an investigation. Arpaio is rubbing his hands in glee anticipating the bill’s enactment. If anyone thinks a Drivers License/Birth Certificate is enough for arpaio or his masked volunteers, I suggest you look at these pictures of his racial profiling where DL was NOT enough: http://tiny.cc/fbyqx

BOYCOTT ARIZONA and ANYONE that supports Racial Profiling bills!

[Sawyer L]

Whatever happened to law enforcements honor of oath, to protect and serve, and uphold the law? Its SAD to see a man with no honor.