Chief Doesn't Want SLC Police Department Enforcing Immigration Laws

Jan 17, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank doesn't plan on having his officers enforce immigration laws. This legislative session, Representative Glenn Donnelson is again sponsoring a bill that would allow some local officers to do just that.

Chief Burbank says his department doesn't have the time or the resources to enforce immigration laws. On top of that, he says it would be impossible for his officers to catch illegal immigrants without using racial profiling, something he's not willing to let happen.

The chief says when officers catches criminals that turn out to be illegal immigrants, they are still turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for federal agents to deal with.

Chief Burbank is supporting Mayor Ralph Becker's plan to hire more officers and expand neighborhood watch programs. The department has 435 officers right now. The chief wants to add 10 officers each year for the next 10 years.

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