Police Chief Jason Lando has launched an administrative review after the claims.
Pittsburgh police officers did not intervene as ICE agents struggled to detain a suspect near a police station in the city. The officers were reportedly told to stand down.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando said he is unaware of any order telling officers to stand down, and announced he has launched an administrative review into the incident.
“To that end, I was recently made aware of an incident that occurred in front of the Zone 3 police station where ICE agents were struggling to take someone into custody,” Lando said in a statement.
The incident reportedly occurred when the suspect began fighting back and kicking the ICE agents trying to apprehend the individual.
“It has been alleged by some individuals that Pittsburgh police officers were ordered not to intervene and were forced to stand by and watch. While our officers did not intervene in this particular situation, I am not aware of any order given that forbid them from doing so,” Lando continued.
The ICE agents had stopped a vehicle at a gas station near the Zone 3 police station and attempted to take a suspect into custody, Lando said.
Lando emphasized that Pittsburgh police do not enforce federal immigration law and are not involved in ICE operations.
“Our job is not, and has never been, to conduct immigration enforcement. We do not collaborate with ICE. We do not check immigration status on calls for service. We do not participate in ‘roundups,’” Lando said.
Lando has directed the Zone 3 commander to conduct a review to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Pittsburgh Mayor O’Connor has maintained that the city will continue its policy of not assisting with ICE operations.
