Police Union Condemns Chicago’s Alleged Order Not to Help Surrounded ICE Agents
In a powerful rebuke, the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has condemned reports that Chicago police officers were instructed not to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were surrounded by protesters. This incident has sparked significant controversy within law enforcement circles and highlighted tensions between local and federal agencies in sanctuary cities. National FOP President Patrick Yoes didn’t mince words, stating, “When an officer calls for assistance, you answer, no matter what.” This sentiment reflects the brotherhood ethos that has long defined police work across jurisdictions and agencies – a principle that appears to have been compromised in this troubling situation.
The incident occurred on Saturday when ICE agents reportedly found themselves boxed in and surrounded by protesters following what federal sources described as a “ramming incident” on Chicago’s southwest side. According to sources who spoke to Fox News, Chicago’s chief of patrol issued a computer-aided dispatch message directing officers not to respond to the scene, despite ICE agents calling for assistance. This directive has been characterized by the FOP leadership as a shocking violation of the most fundamental principle in law enforcement – that officers help other officers in danger, regardless of which badge they wear. Illinois State FOP President Chris Southwood emphasized this point by asking a pointed question: “What would have happened if the local police were facing threats and nearby federal officers were told not to assist?”
The Chicago Police Department has contested this narrative, releasing a statement claiming that officers did in fact respond to maintain public safety and control traffic. They also asserted that “The Chicago Police Department will always respond to anyone who is being attacked or is under the threat of physical harm.” However, this explanation has been vehemently rejected by ranking Chicago police sources who spoke to Fox News, with one characterizing the department’s statement as “COVER THEIR A– BULLS–T!!” Another source claimed that officers had initially responded but were forced to leave because of the order, contradicting the official department position. This discrepancy between official statements and insider accounts has only deepened concerns about the handling of the incident.
At the heart of this controversy lies the Illinois Trust Act, which limits local police involvement in immigration enforcement. The FOP leadership argues that this legislation is contributing to a breakdown in cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies, particularly in sanctuary cities like Chicago. This incident seems to exemplify the practical consequences of such policies – when legal restrictions designed to separate local police from immigration enforcement potentially interfere with basic officer safety protocols. The situation is especially concerning in light of Department of Homeland Security data cited by the FOP, which indicates that ICE agents have faced a staggering 1,000% increase in violence since the beginning of the year.
The alleged directive has raised serious questions about the precedent it sets for inter-agency cooperation in emergency situations. While disagreements about immigration policy are legitimate political disputes, the FOP leaders argue that such policy differences should never compromise the safety of any law enforcement officer. “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,” Southwood stated firmly. This perspective frames the issue not as a matter of immigration politics but as a fundamental question of officer safety and professional duty – suggesting that whatever one’s position on immigration policy might be, the expectation that officers help other officers in danger should remain sacrosanct.
As this story continues to develop, it highlights the complex challenges facing law enforcement in politically charged environments. The alleged incident in Chicago represents more than just a local dispute – it touches on national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, sanctuary city policies, and the relationship between different levels of law enforcement. The FOP’s strong condemnation signals deep concern within the law enforcement community about policies that might prevent officers from helping colleagues in danger. In the words of National FOP President Yoes, “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.” This call for unconditional mutual aid among officers, regardless of agency affiliation, speaks to a core value of police culture that appears to have been challenged in this controversial incident.
